Smoke'em if Ya Got'em!

Here's one I don't get. Pentagon leadership plans to recommend to Secretary Gates that he ban tobacco use in the US Armed Forces. So, my Commander in Chief can smoke, but I can't?

What train of thought stops at that station? "We can send these kids to places where people shoot them, plant bombs on the side of the road to blow them up, lob Iranian made rockets at them with near impunity, and behead them on camera from time to time. But goodness, don't let them smoke or dip...someone could get hurt."

I don't smoke, save the occasional excellent cigar. I don't dip, though I used to when I was young and bulletproof. I have no data to refute the Pentagon's $846M annual tobacco-related medical cost, nor the $6B VA's cost. I also don't care. I'd be interested in the annual Medicare equivalent cost on those who have not served. Wonder what the equivalent civilian cost would be under universal health care...

And then what's next? Coffee and salty food? Candy bars? Alcohol? Sitting too close to the TV?

In 120+ degree heat or Himalayan cold, full battle rattle, heavy gear, incoming fire, pressure-plate IEDs, fear of fratricide in the fog of war, new restrictive Afghanistan ROE, and all the other necessary stresses of modern 4-dimensional combat, if our superhero soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen want to smoke to stay alert or blow off a little stress...I say smoke'em if ya got'em!

I just spent four years at the Pentagon. Believe me, there are bigger things to worry about in that building. In my humble yet accurate opinion...

Until Next Time
Casper of the Rockies