Re: Marine Corp. going to ban alcohol
I remember having beer machines in the barracks and big base parties for Octoberfest. The trends over the last 20 or so years have been to reduce the glorification of drinking, at least in the Navy. Not pro or against, but reading the article it seems that the Marine Corps and other branches are attempting to curtail excessive drinking, drinking on duty, and possibly DUI's.
As a junior enlisted I used to party: Wetting downs, base clubs, liquid lunch at Pure Platinum when at Pendleton. Chief would say, "if you can stand through muster, your golf-tango-golf". It is how we rolled back then.
Fast forward 20 years, serving as OOD, having to deal with competency for duty, picking up sailors from jail, domestic abuse and the sort. I can see what the Corps intentions are, but I am still torn between the military constantly implementing regulations and policies as a knee jerk reaction to impress the public.
In my opinion, the military does not need knee jerk policies, but to better empower the senior enlisted leadership. Back in the day the Chief or the Gunny laid down the law. Now the process of discipline is so legalistic.
The Navy has not ignored the problem of alcohol abuse, much money went into rehab facilities, awareness training and education. Just the legal side of the alcohol testing is gonna put a hurting on many members.