Army Rangers’ wild partying contributed to commander’s reprimand, report says

Amen brother.

The US Military in general has had an alcohol abuse problem as long as there has been a US Military. It is part of the culture sorry to say. I am sure that fifteen years of the unending war have not made that problem any better. Unless the official event is dry, there is almost always booze close to or at the center of pretty much every sanctioned event, mess night, hail and farewell, Wetting Down/Promotion, Graduation Party, you name it. I remember passing out at my wetting down party for First Lieutenant, July 1989, everyone told me how good my own party was, too bad I missed it. I was single then and probably spent a couple hundred bucks on the booze and good food. No regrets except that I passed out and woke up next to a pool of vomit the next morning. Young Dumb and full of, well you know.

I certainly remember a time or two of that as well, sir. I was stationed at A Co. 4/502d Infantry Berlin Brigade 1985-1989 and I have been told repeatedly what a great drunk I was except I didn't hold it down well. That made me make a change in my life and I don't have to worry about waking up next to vomit or anything else.

Great story, it was fun while it lasted huh? It was great to be a young American in the Ronald Reagen Military!

Indeed it was. Alcohol was readily avgailable in the Common Area. We had a machine that would spit out 20 oz. beers for a quarter back in the day. And it was also well known in my battalion that my company was big on hash and other drugs. It was no wonder why after a fast weekend in twon that we had urinalysis every Monday at 0300 and then we were off on a 6 to seven mile run around the American Sector of Berlin and I would be with those who had great talks with Ralph and Earl on every corner. I learned fast I had a drink issue and made some changes. Either that or get busted and sent home.