US troops in Iraq get to drink beer for Super Bowl

[Yoink 7]

BAGHDAD – American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.

In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.

Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.

A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each.

Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims.

The waiver orders commanders to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption" and "to exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions."

U.S. troops have been banned from drinking, possessing or selling alcoholic beverages under a general order that also bans them from possessing pornography and other activities. They can face a reduction in pay or rank or even a court-martial if they violate the rule.

The Washington Post reported that several service members said the only other time the ban was lifted was in 2005, for troops operating under the Baghdad command.

Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam, and extremists have frequently targeted liquor stores.

The exemption comes as the U.S. military faces stricter Iraqi oversight under a new security agreement that took effect on Jan. 1.

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

BAGHDAD – American troops in Iraq will be allowed to drink beer without fear of court-martial for this year's Super Bowl — an exception to a strict military ban on drinking alcohol in combat zones.

In what is sure to be a major morale boost, the top U.S. commander in Iraq Gen. Raymond Odierno issued a waiver Wednesday paving the way for troops to participate in the popular American football tradition.

Super Bowl XLIII will kick off on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida, but it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the live broadcast starts in Iraq. Troops will gather in dining halls on military bases nationwide to watch the game.

A copy of the waiver said the consumption of alcoholic beverages will be limited to Feb. 1-2 and service members can only have two, 12-ounce beers each.

Odierno also appeared to acknowledge the sensitivity of drinking alcohol in an Islamic country, particularly considering the game falls during a holy period for Iraq's majority Shiite Muslims.

The waiver orders commanders to "keep in mind all host nation laws and customs regarding alcohol consumption" and "to exercise discretion and good judgment in enforcing these guidelines and restrictions."

U.S. troops have been banned from drinking, possessing or selling alcoholic beverages under a general order that also bans them from possessing pornography and other activities. They can face a reduction in pay or rank or even a court-martial if they violate the rule.

The Washington Post reported that several service members said the only other time the ban was lifted was in 2005, for troops operating under the Baghdad command.

Drinking alcohol isn't illegal in Iraq but is banned under Islam, and extremists have frequently targeted liquor stores.

The exemption comes as the U.S. military faces stricter Iraqi oversight under a new security agreement that took effect on Jan. 1.

Yeah right!! like they are going to comply with that, maybe alcohol but porn! alone in the desert and w/o porn?!? yeah right!

[alienlovechild 75]

Yeah right!! like they are going to comply with that, maybe alcohol but porn! alone in the desert and w/o porn?!? yeah right!

Porn may not be the first thing you pack in your dufflebags. Lots of troops have access to the Internet so I assume that's one way to do it. Does Iraq have porno stores? Are they in the desert in a porn tent?

[EstebanTrabajos 7]

Yeah right!! like they are going to comply with that, maybe alcohol but porn! alone in the desert and w/o porn?!? yeah right!

Porn may not be the first thing you pack in your dufflebags. Lots of troops have access to the Internet so I assume that's one way to do it. Does Iraq have porno stores? Are they in the desert in a porn tent?

What??

hmmmm...yes yes weather is nice

[Jasman0717 9]

One in the hand it worth two in the sand Wow, deployed with no beer, SICK

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

good

[LorriQ 0]

My kiddo said that they got 2 cans of beer on the Marines' B-day when he was over - not one drop for the 4th of July! Mean, mean people!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

In the Navy we had to be at sea for 30 days for us to get 2 beers. I liked port call better.