What do you think about the new air flights to Cuba? Will you? Won't you?

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 00:45:15 -0500

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 17 at 2016 12:47 AM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 00:47:24 -0500

I'd go just for the cigars, rum, and cars, CSM! Never mind less PC things like, ya know...beautiful women.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 17 at 2016 1:11 AM

SPC David S. — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 01:11:19 -0500

Sure -

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 1:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 01:36:44 -0500

I'd go. The dollar might go far there and the beaches are perfect.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 3:01 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 03:01:13 -0500

I will to say that I've been to Cuba and enjoy the beaches and the cigars.

Response by SFC Clark Adams made Feb 17 at 2016 3:43 AM

SFC Clark Adams — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 03:43:54 -0500

I grew up disliking Communist, served my entire career preparing to fight communist, I have no desire to reward communist. It's bad enough the POTUS is one!

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Feb 17 at 2016 6:38 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 06:38:34 -0500

I worked with the Canadian Forces extensively, and many used to vacation in Cuba. They all spoke to how beautiful it was, and how inexpensive the cost of the vacation. Unfortunately, everything is about to jump in price, and in a short period of time it will be as expensive as every other Caribbean Island.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 6:53 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 06:53:25 -0500

I've been to Cuba and love it. I'll be planning a trip with my family there in the near future.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 7:03 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 07:03:52 -0500

?? why not??

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Feb 17 at 2016 7:12 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 07:12:38 -0500

No interest in going!

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Feb 17 at 2016 8:57 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 08:57:50 -0500

I say for those that want to go great, but as for me, I have no need to want to go there.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 17 at 2016 9:01 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:01:12 -0500

Not until I hold a blue ID card and can thumb my nose at General Orders stating we can't go to certain places....

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 9:01 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:01:20 -0500

I'm Cuban by birth, I have been in the US for 22 years, 22years that haven't see part of my family, so my answer to the question is, yes I would fly to Cuba as soon the US authorize, DOD employees to go.

Response by Capt Christian D. Orr made Feb 17 at 2016 9:53 AM

Capt Christian D. Orr — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 09:53:07 -0500

Yeah, I'd go, just out of curiosity, not to mention my sense of adventure and appreciation for history. Oh yeah, not to mention cigars. ;-)

Response by SSgt Mark Lines made Feb 17 at 2016 10:23 AM

SSgt Mark Lines — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:23:03 -0500

If I were so inclined, I would go there just to buy a "Yank Tank" to bring back and restore.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 17 at 2016 10:40 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 10:40:30 -0500

My dad use to go on a big boat to Cuba. He says they are very poor and lacking essentials.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 11:06 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 11:06:41 -0500

Well, it's not as simple as hopping on a plane. You still need to get a visa to travel there. The lengthy wait process is gone now, but travel has to be approved by the government and you have to get a visa which falls into one of 12 categories: Visiting family, Humanitarian projects or to provide support to the Cuban people, Official business of the U.S. government, foreign governments and certain intergovernmental organizations, Journalistic activities, Professional research, Educational activities by persons at academic institutions, People to people travel, Religious activities, Public performance, clinics, workshops, athletic or other competitions and exhibitions, Authorization to provide travel services, carrier services and remittance forwarding services, Activities of private foundations, research or educational institutes, Exportation of certain Internet-based services. If it doesn't fall in these categories...no travel. That being said...some creative writing can probably make anything work here.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Feb 17 at 2016 11:08 AM

CW3 Kevin Storm — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 11:08:09 -0500

Cigars and Rum, but I don't see myself going there anytime soon.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Feb 17 at 2016 11:41 AM

SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 11:41:03 -0500

Thanks to Cuba and Russia relations during the cold war, I survived what could have been the worst beatdown in my life by two Russians on the train from Pusan to Seoul while stationed in Korea. These two huge mean looking Russians approached me and asked me in English, "are you Russian?", I replied with "No, I'm from Puerto Rico" (I almost did reply with "From USA"; quick thinking though). They replied with "We don't know where is that"... So I replied with "You know Cuba?" They say yes... So I said "Same Shit".., and after that they were all cool and giving high fives and all.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2016 12:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 12:43:39 -0500

Yes i would, My wife is Half-Cuban and she have some family there that i have not seen.

Response by PO1 Aaron Baltosser made Feb 17 at 2016 5:19 PM

PO1 Aaron Baltosser — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 17:19:53 -0500

I would go. I'm a foodie at heart and the best part of traveling around the world has been good eats. Even inIraq I found the best Filafal and baclava in the local area.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Feb 17 at 2016 9:12 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:12:18 -0500

We have people traveling to Vietnam where we left 58,000 fellow veterans dead. We don't have very many dead veterans in Cuba, so why not!

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Feb 17 at 2016 9:41 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 17 Feb 2016 21:41:49 -0500

I think the administration was wrong to reinstate diplomatic relations with Cuba at this time. That said, that island nation has held a mystique that has had my attention for many years. I would go for a visit but would try to limit my expenses to those businesses (read hotels, etc) that are flourishing. I would spend in the "Mom & Pop" places that struggle to get by. I've had the cigars, so that's no longer an issue for me. I don't drink rum anymore but the old Detroit Iron is very appealing to me.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Feb 18 at 2016 8:18 AM

SCPO Jason McLaughlin — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 08:18:41 -0500

Havana Club 7 Year Old is the best rum that I have ever had.

Response by PO1 David Gray made Feb 18 at 2016 11:01 AM

PO1 David Gray — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 11:01:28 -0500

I would travel to Cuba. We kept diplomatic relations with Russia all through the Cold War despite what they were doing. We should have ended the isolation of Cuba when the Cold War ended as well.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2016 12:38 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:38:12 -0500

I believe there are more reasons to go to Cuba than to avoid Cuba. Keeping in mind Castro is not the people hence the extremely large Cuban refugee population in the US. Opening the border to the US allows all those with ties to Cuba, return to visit family and friends. It opens the culture of the country to those usually deprived of such. During the 1950s and 60s it was an incredible hot spot for vacations since it is so close to Florida. I'm looking forward to visiting once DoD personnel are allowed. And yes, a strong democratic Cuba is good for the U.S.

Response by MSgt Kurt Woodward made Feb 18 at 2016 9:04 PM

MSgt Kurt Woodward — Thu, 18 Feb 2016 21:04:03 -0500

I have been to Cuba. I was TDY to Gitmo., back in 1995 for Operation Sea Signal. I can tell you that the southern part of the island reminded me of a desert region that met with the ocean. I have no desire to go back personally.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Feb 19 at 2016 3:47 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 03:47:44 -0500

Sure I'd go. Cubans aren't bad people, just had bad management. The Canadians already negotiated the right to rebuild casinos & night clubs. In 5 years it will be the hot destination.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Feb 26 at 2016 10:47 AM

Maj Mike Sciales — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 10:47:45 -0500

I'll go, but I'm waiting a few years for the Canadian venture capitalists to rebuild the telecommunications backbone, rebuild the sewers and infrastructure & open the casinos again. A friend went last year - only stayed 2 days because they lack all those things. If you want "old Havana" wait.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2016 1:31 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 01:31:49 -0400

I would love to!