The ultimate REMF

I don't even smoke (no cigs anymore that is, other stuff now and then) - but this does not sound like a military of free men and women from a Representative Republic.

Pentagon health experts are urging Defense Secretary Robert Gates to ban the use of tobacco by troops and end its sale on military property, a change that could dramatically alter a culture intertwined with smoking.
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Pentagon spokeswoman Cynthia Smith said the department supports a smoke-free military "and believes it is achievable." She declined to elaborate on any possible ban.
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Along with a phased-in ban, the report recommends requiring new officers and enlisted personnel to be tobacco-free, eliminating tobacco use on military installations, ships and aircraft, expanding treatment programs and eliminating the sale of tobacco on military property.

Goose stepping Nanny. Joy.

No cigar? You going to tell that Marine just finished with a multi-day fight where he lost a few of his close friends he can't take a smoke?

Sad thing is, we are almost there. I have actually heard people who did have a smoke now and then that they must quit or not let anyone see them smoke --- as they may not get command.

Then again - that was Navy types. While I was deployed late last year and early this year, I shared a smoke with everyone from E-3 to O-8.

Madness. Where do we draw the line? No unprotected sex by order? I have lost more Sailor time due to STD's (including HIV) and pregnancy than smoking. Smokers work about the same as those who have to work out 90 minutes a day. STD's and pregnancy are both 100% avoidable and both result in lost work time and huge health costs. Like DUI, make STD's, pregnancy, and smoking all UCMJ violations. Heck, alcohol too while we are at it. We all know the costs of that. Hey, even more.

Marriage costs the military a lot more. Extra pay - those crumb crunchers that come from service member's spouses cost all sorts of money from neo-natal care to DOD schools overseas. Get rid of those too.

Yea, a healthy and affordable military!