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The IDF's alcohol plague
Shosh Mula
Published: 29.12.11, 14:34
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1. A fatal combination
Mike B ,   London   (12.29.11)
Alcohol and loaded weapons do not mix and local commanders should not be 'turning a blind eye'. All you need is an argument over something as stupid as a game of cards and you will have dead soldiers.
2. this is not a jewish army anymore
(12.29.11)
3. Alcohol in the IDF
zznhl   (12.29.11)
Its very easy to control alcohal abuse in the army...Ban it on the bases, and punish everyone who uses it. This method used to be called DISCIPLINE. Oy vavoy if we lack this simple concept in our army...call off the Gaza opp, call off destoying Hizballah, call off attacking Iran, we are in a sorry state.
4. Pathetic decline of the once great IDF
Al   (12.29.11)
slow and persistent decline in almost every endeavour. Training is poor. Discipline is spotty at best. Leadership is poor and very political. Agenda is political. Objective is nonexistant. Can this IDF defend the country? I dont know, neither does anyone else. I pray for my sons who serve in it. I am worried sick.
5. to #3
Leo ,   Israel   (12.29.11)
Good one captain obvious. Alcohol is already banned and punished in the bases, so something else needs to be done
6. Alcohol in the IDF
Zeilig Caplan ,   London UK   (12.29.11)
Some 30 years ago I was madrich to a group of shlav betnikim who were mainly from Russia. When we checked their mamiot they were full of vodka. This isn't a new phenomena.
7. Decadence
Jossi R. ,   Tel Aviv   (12.29.11)
The first comments were all correct. There is much to say, though the place isn't enough. Alcohol in the army reflects the modern civilian trend. And besides that, the fish stinks from the head.
8. Alcohol
Me ,   Israel   (12.29.11)
These are serious serious problems and they stem from many different areas. Israel get yourselves together.Once a great army, what the heck is going on with you's.
9. I won't even indulge in the occasional glass of wine
Noodles ,   Coney Island   (12.29.11)
and look what a sweet person I am.
10. Restrict the "legal" consumption...
Gideon Reader   (12.29.11)
...of alcoholic spirits to upper end, non- IDF subsidized single malt whisky. Talisker. Cragganmore. Lagavulin. Bowmore, etc. At approximately $80 to $175 for 750ml the reduction of the problem to soon itself known. No beer. No cheap spirits of any kind. Treating use of any other form of alcoholic spirits would be equal to a felony and discipline equal to that of a felony. The restriction regulation is a mere administrative matter. A common soldier or even an NCO or Officer will soon find their choices of purchasable items for their disposable income is a matter of simple choices.
11. WAS IRON DOME BATTERY DAMAGED BY DRUNKS?
Zimbi ,   NJUSA   (12.29.11)
12. HEY GANTZ WAKE UP
Zimbi ,   NJUSA   (12.29.11)
13. nine percent in line with global stats
Bernadotte   (12.29.11)
USA for example has had nine percent of population alcoholism for many decades now. So this is in line with normalcy.
14. Many of these boys and girls ...
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (12.29.11)
are already more or less addicted to alcool,as drinking begins at the age of Bar Mitzva parties. This very serious problem is the result of neglecting to teach Tora to the Jewish Neshamot.
15. Stalingrad
zivron   (12.29.11)
Nearly all the russian victors at stalingrad against the master race nazi army were allowed one hundred mlof vodka a day but they had terrible causaulties. Dutch Courage ought to be allowed but not Inebriation.
16. Durr... guuhh, not troo!
Soldier boy   (12.29.11)
17. Drunken Army
W. ,   Beirut, Lebanon   (12.29.11)
No wonder Hamas snatched Shalit, who was probably drunk, in a daring raid and later Hizbollah kicked IDF butts back in 2006. Now, it's obvious; you're sending drunkards to the battlefield!
18. I WAS ONCE SO DRUNK
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.29.11)
I was so drunk I did not know if I had a frontal Lobotamy or a bottle in front of me...
19. DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.29.11)
DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU ARE DRUNK : - Indubitably -Innovative - Preliminary -Proliferation -Cinnamon .Things which are VERY difficult to say when drunk : -Specificity -British constitution - passive-aggressive disorder -loquacious Things which are downright IMPOSSIBLE to say when one is drunk : No , no more booze for me - Sorry ,but you're not my type . -Good evening officer .Isn't it lovely out tonight . -Oh I couldn't -no one wants to hear me sing.
20. #4 CAN IDF DEFEAT ITS ENEMIES?
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.29.11)
We do not know but the IDF sure can drink them under the table. By the way ,mines a double.
21. MIlitary people who aspire to be a respected senior enlisted
Rivkah   (12.29.11)
or officer should take a vow of abstinence from alcohol. Alcohol is a mocker and forcing military members to drink alcohol at social occasions so they say or do something stupid is so cruel.
22. pathetic
chantalle.ezer ,   Frankfurt Germany   (12.29.11)
On all the pictures (personal ones) sent to me, the IDF-soldiers are either drunk, or partying or stoned. Unfortunatelly, the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs became very popular in Israel. Ezer
23. Only 9%?
Rika N ,   Toronto   (12.30.11)
I would suspect most of the armies of the world would be jumping for joy if only 9% were involved in such.
24. @ Lawrence
Gabriel ,   Leiden, Netherlands   (12.30.11)
Laughed my ass off at your comments. The sad part is: it's all very true....
25. @ Rivkah
Gabriel ,   Leiden, Netherlands   (12.30.11)
Right, just take a vow. In catholicism, which takes vowing very seriously, they take a vow of chastity. Look how that turned out...poor children. Oh, I forgot, catholics are no 'true' christians......
26. Upon us to solve this problem.
M ,   Zfat   (12.30.11)
In the spirit of the people who made the desert bloom, dare not to give up on our only army and our only country. This means, among other things: never hesitate to condemn such abhorent behaviours. Your friends and siblings should know that neighter drinking behind the wheel nor near a gun will earn them respect. Human life is sacred.
27. #24 i'm happy I made you laugh
LAWRENCE ,   SAFED ISRAEL   (12.30.11)
Laughter is healthy for the soul
28. Marines had booze and did ok
clearer light ,   alaska   (12.30.11)
But base commanders need to get tough. Do some sweeps. Show some leadership.
29. #9, Noodles... very sweet indeed !
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (01.10.12)
30. Israel his declining, espcially the youth - and the army is
THE PROPHET   (03.16.12)
it's mirror. The 'free market' policy is to blame; which bring about 'the law of the jungle'. The days are numbered unless someone serious and committed to idealism takes over - unfortunately only by force.
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