Football Beer for the Superbowl for US Troops in Iraq

vailpass · 01-09-2009, 09:28 AM

I'mthinking General Odierno is one popular guy with his troops right about now...

BAGHDAD - American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.

In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.

Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.

A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each.

Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims.

The waiver orders commanders to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption" and "to exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions."

Rare exception
U.S. troops have been banned from drinking, possessing or selling alcoholic beverages under a general order that also bans them from possessing pornography and other activities. They can face a reduction in pay or rank or even a court-martial if they violate the rule.

The Washington Post reported that several service members said the only other time the ban was lifted was in 2005, for troops operating under the Baghdad command.

Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam, and extremists have frequently targeted liquor stores.

www.msnbc.com

jspchief · 01-09-2009, 09:32 AM

I'm sorry but asking those guys to go risk their lives for their country while withholding booze and porn is fucking criminal.

I'm tired of politically correct war. This is definately one area where freedom of the press has done more harm than good.

Demonpenz · 01-09-2009, 09:32 AM

two beers, those boys deserve 12 tall boys atleast, and a swig of jack

Rooster · 01-09-2009, 09:34 AM

That's cool. I bet they will be the two best tasting beers our troops have had in a long long time.

Rooster · 01-09-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

I'm tired of politically correct war. This is definately one area where freedom of the press has done more harm than good.

Agreed

Duck Dog · 01-09-2009, 09:37 AM

They lifted the ban once during the 1st Gulf War but I can't remember why. I was also in Grafenwoehr, Germany when a ban was lifted and a two beer max issued. I ended up spending a week in the hospital with about 100 other soldiers after the 10th mountain division and 2nd armored division started fighting in one of the beer tents.

Just one of the many reasons commanders do not allow liquor in combat zones.

runnercyclist · 01-09-2009, 10:03 AM

Beer me!

My two: 1) Goose Island IPA and 2) Rogue Dead Guy Ale

SCTrojan · 01-09-2009, 10:14 AM

GEN O going old school with the two-beer limit.

As someone has already pointed out - there is sound reasoning behind the ban. Imagine the passion of the Super Bowl, add ample guns and ammunition, then mix in alcohol - not the best combination to have going.

I like the move, though.

**Dylan** · 01-09-2009, 10:15 AM

God Bless Them!

Mr. Laz · 01-09-2009, 10:16 AM

Reerun_KC · 01-09-2009, 10:17 AM

Just 2 beers?

WTF?

I wonder how long it will be before those pussies in DC will make them wear pink uniforms in a combat zone...

Bunch of freaking wankers...

Mr. Laz · 01-09-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Just 2 beers?

WTF?

I wonder how long it will be before those pussies in DC will make them wear pink uniforms in a combat zone...

Bunch of freaking wankers...

while i agree 2 beers is a bit weak .... there has to be some limit.

Reerun_KC · 01-09-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

while i agree 2 beers is a bit weak .... there has to be some limit.

dudes are putting thier lives on the line daily so those secetary screwing politicians can keep that cozy lake house.....

Just find it revolting...

SCTrojan · 01-09-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

dudes are putting thier lives on the line daily so those secetary screwing politicians can keep that cozy lake house.....

Just find it revolting...

Just for clarification, it is the Central Command Commander's policy, not a Department of Defense policy.

And having been subject to it, I didn't find it objectionable.

Fish · 01-09-2009, 10:27 AM

Many Vietnam vets have told me that booze and drugs were the only way they made it through their tours.... how can you expect to ship someone off to hell and tell them they can't have a beer along the way?

01-09-2009, 09:28 AM
vailpass Psycho Bag Of Squanch Join Date: Sep 2001 Casino cash: $9594244	Beer for the Superbowl for US Troops in Iraq I'mthinking General Odierno is one popular guy with his troops right about now... BAGHDAD - American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones. In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition. Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game. A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each. Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims. The waiver orders commanders to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption" and "to exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions." Rare exception U.S. troops have been banned from drinking, possessing or selling alcoholic beverages under a general order that also bans them from possessing pornography and other activities. They can face a reduction in pay or rank or even a court-martial if they violate the rule. The Washington Post reported that several service members said the only other time the ban was lifted was in 2005, for troops operating under the Baghdad command. Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam, and extremists have frequently targeted liquor stores. www.msnbc.com
Posts: 69,591

01-09-2009, 09:32 AM	#2
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	I'm sorry but asking those guys to go risk their lives for their country while withholding booze and porn is fucking criminal. I'm tired of politically correct war. This is definately one area where freedom of the press has done more harm than good. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

01-09-2009, 09:32 AM	#3
Demonpenz I got Rice cookin in the micro Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $3042136	two beers, those boys deserve 12 tall boys atleast, and a swig of jack __________________
Posts: 54,282

01-09-2009, 09:34 AM	#4
Rooster Draft a QB Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: JoCo Casino cash: $9961689	That's cool. I bet they will be the two best tasting beers our troops have had in a long long time. __________________ When Reno Hightower was a prick he was the best damn quarterback in the history of Kern County.
Posts: 5,753

01-09-2009, 09:37 AM	#6
Duck Dog Reap the whirlwind Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $10004900	They lifted the ban once during the 1st Gulf War but I can't remember why. I was also in Grafenwoehr, Germany when a ban was lifted and a two beer max issued. I ended up spending a week in the hospital with about 100 other soldiers after the 10th mountain division and 2nd armored division started fighting in one of the beer tents. Just one of the many reasons commanders do not allow liquor in combat zones.
Posts: 8,902

01-09-2009, 10:03 AM	#7
runnercyclist Gone to Carolina Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: By lake Wylie in tega cay Casino cash: $10006038	Beer me! My two: 1) Goose Island IPA and 2) Rogue Dead Guy Ale
Posts: 2,759

01-09-2009, 10:14 AM	#8
SCTrojan Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Across the park Casino cash: $6109719	GEN O going old school with the two-beer limit. As someone has already pointed out - there is sound reasoning behind the ban. Imagine the passion of the Super Bowl, add ample guns and ammunition, then mix in alcohol - not the best combination to have going. I like the move, though.
Posts: 2,193

01-09-2009, 10:15 AM	#9
Dylan The Lede Join Date: Aug 2007 Casino cash: $10016591	God Bless Them!
Posts: 33,643

01-09-2009, 10:16 AM	#10
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	good __________________
Posts: 95,626

01-09-2009, 10:17 AM	#11
Reerun_KC Rock Chalk Jayhawks! KU!!! Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $8301160	Just 2 beers? WTF? I wonder how long it will be before those pussies in DC will make them wear pink uniforms in a combat zone... Bunch of freaking wankers...
Posts: 934

01-09-2009, 10:27 AM	#15
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2128919	Many Vietnam vets have told me that booze and drugs were the only way they made it through their tours.... how can you expect to ship someone off to hell and tell them they can't have a beer along the way? __________________
Posts: 47,593