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FAMILY MEMBERS GET BOOT

The installation commander at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, is absolutely right [to ban 11 school-age dependents from all U.S. military installations in Europe due to a rash of drug use and distribution, thefts, assaults and destruction of property]. Zero tolerance creates a safer, more peaceful environment for the residents on base. These dependents need to accept responsibility for their actions and suffer the consequences. Active-duty sponsors are well aware that they are responsible for the actions and behavior/misbehavior of all of their dependents on base. Hats off to the commander. Keep up the good work.

— PAV

We need more commanders like this guy. Putting the accountability where it belongs — on the offenders. I’ve growntired of commanders taking privileges away from the masses instead of holding the guilty parties accountable. I hope commanders at every level take note of this and follow the example of Col. Don Bacon, the 435th Wing commander.

— Tink R. Bell

DRINKING PROBLEMS

All services struggle with [alcohol abuse]. The military can be a high-pressure environment and sometimes one overindulges a bit to blow off steam.

Force the younger ones to hide it, and that compounds the problem.

— ringjamesa

Alcohol seems to be deep-rooted among most armies of the world, especially Western Europe and Russia. While I was active, I had quite a few ‘get-togethers’ with the German, French, Belgian, Dutch armies. Compared to them, we are playing kindergarten as far as alcohol is concerned.

— Master Tanker

STUPID ARMY RULES

Wearing a reflective belt with PTs at noon in a war zone … Keeping the injured, infirm, non-deployable on the books in order to increase numbers of the unit, even though these folks cannot perform the mission. … Not talking on a cell phone when driving (yet you can talk on any military communication gear while doing the same).

— RONALD45

Saluting — I fully understand the history behind saluting, but I honestly feel in this day and age there is absolutely no respect in it. It is pretty much an unconscious act and seven out of 10 times the officer won’t even salute back.

— FatCat40