I definitely agree with the current policy regarding alcohol and R&R. Soldiers go without it for a fairly long time, thus, they probably don’t think about it too much while they are continuously going on missions or are at a FOB. Yet, I feel as though as soon as alcohol is reintroduced it can cause some unforeseen issues. Because of the amount of time soldiers go without alcohol, it surely affects their level of tolerance. This can screw with their behavior and even possibly their physical abilities days after. This can also cause soldiers to make decisions that don’t reflect the Army ethic and honorable living: UCMJ violations, SHARP violations, lack of respect, lack of integrity, and an all around lack of morals. Surely, compared to LT McDonough’s situation after his soldiers’ pay was taken, beer seems like a fair substitute, but I believe the degradation of professionalism because of alcohol being present is more of a cost than a benefit even if, when they return, they are still able to maintain their level of discipline and lethality. Even so, McDonough’s unit still had a fair number of cases of VD even though his soldiers had to relinquish their pay.

-Steven