I think these days we can come up with a better name than “Drink and Think.” That would go a long way to eliminate some of the concerns about whether we’re getting together socially or professionally and why there does or does not need to be alcohol involved.

Maybe we could  just call it, “peer to peer informal discussion and debate.”

Personally, I call it “Pizza Mondays.” When I fold a new friend into the tradition they always ask me what it is and seem a bit confused… “Is it like a ‘thing?’ Who usually comes? What do we do..?” I have to explain, “It’s just some folks getting together; some of my friends, some of wife’s friends, some people from this unit, some people from old units, whoever is around. We get together because Monday’s suck and pizza doesn’t. So, we eat pizza on Monday. Come over if you’re interested. Everyone needs to eat.”

I agree that face-to-face social interaction between peers is important and lacking these days. Have a drink, don’t have a drink. Go on a hike, go to someone’s house. Whatever. The Army is about people (that includes your peers). If you’re not interacting with the people, you’re missing the best part of the Army… (you’re also working too hard, see: “many hands make light work”)

~Jeff