Stepping back from the Garrison mentality

[AdamG]

Having suffered through a Joseph Heller-esque drama of 'The General's PIZZA HUT" in Iraq, this sounds reasonable:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUST...rpc=22&sp=true

In the sprawling military base at Kandahar, the fast food outlets facing the axe include Burger King, Pizza Hut, and the U.S. chain restaurant T.G.I. Friday's that features a bar with alcohol-free margaritas and other drinks -- all set along the bustling "Boardwalk" area of the base.

On any given day, the giant square-shaped walkway features the surreal sight of soldiers sipping gourmet coffee and eating chocolate pastries with guns slung across their shoulders, while Canadians play ice hockey at a nearby rink and fighter jets thunder overhead.

The U.S. military says its beef with the burger joints is that they take up valuable resources like water, power, flight and convoy space and that cutting back on non-essentials is key to running an efficient military operation.

[William F. Owen]

"we used to be stupid. We are now trying to change." Is this what I am reading here?

Every time I read about such facilities, I just figure there is some vast organisational need that forgives being moronic. If you want a cold Coca-cola, put some cans in a canvas bucket and leave it hanging in the shade.

Personally I see great psychological advantage in not making the MOB-FOB anything like "back home."

[Ken White]

Personally I see great psychological advantage in not making the MOB-FOB anything like "back home."

Unfortunately, we have elected to believe the marketers instead of the Soldiers...

[jkm_101_fso]

During OIF I, we had hardly any amenities at all. We drank hot water, ate T-rats and slept in pools of sweat.

We wrestled, played spades on MRE boxes and talked #### to each other for entertainment when we weren't busy.

It was the greatest time of my life.

In subsequent tours, with increased amenities, I longed for the days of roughing it. I can't really explain why.

I think that providing soldiers with all these things might make them forget where they are and what they are there to do.

I whole heartedly support this decision.

[Steve Blair]

I think that providing soldiers with all these things might make them forget where they are and what they are there to do.

Of course it does. Vietnam should have shown us this, but that particular lessons seems to have been lost along with so many others.

[Old Eagle]

Of course, now Jim Webb and others want to introduce alcohol downrange. Worked in 'Nam.