Mustering for Grog

Submitted by Eric Daniel

Way back a long time ago, while I was tanking with the Washington National Guard, my unit had a Dining In following our annual training.  What made this event memorable was the fact that there was a representative from our “sister” armoured recce unit from Canada, and he brought with him something I’d never seen before -  1.5 liters of government issue 151 proof ration rum.  As the Sergeant explained, the Canadian government authorized the issuance of a rum ration to soldiers in the field for a period of 30 days or more.  Now, I know the Royal Navy used to issue rum to its sailors up through 1970, and I know there’s at least one German fallschirmjäger company out there with a bar in the basement (run by the First Sergeant) but this was the first I’d ever heard of government issuing honest to god alcohol to its joes.

Needless to say, that bottle was tipped into the grog to the detriment and enjoyment of all.  This was all ten years ago and I’m curious if this is still the case; while I can remember drinking beer in the unit run canteen when I was in the field at Graf, I haven’t seen beer in the field in ages and I know it’s expressly forbidden to American soldiers now, but I was curious if the Canadians still issued rum (or if any one else has a similar program) or has this tradition also died on the altar of political correctness?

Comments

[Marcello]

When i was doing my mandatory military service in 1996 (in italy we had a mandatory 1 year draft until 3 or 4 years ago) they issued mini-bottles (mignon) of cordial when doing "outside" service (i.e. they didn't issue it when we were on base, but it was issued when we were doing "police" service outside the base).

Never tried it, i usually swapped the bottles with chocolate bars (issed too).

Also the base cafeteria served beer, wine and high alcool beverages.

M

[none]

well... back in '89 or so, I was in the arctic with the Canadian infantry, we were issued one shot of rum per man per day... but that was the only time in my 5 years that I can recall a regular daily issue...

[Ken S., LCPL, USMC]

We get beer on the Marine Corps' Birthday no matter where we are. We got it in Twenty Nine Palms during the FX, and in Iraq. Even if you're in the states, age doesn't matter.

[Scott S, SGT, Army]

After active duty I spent some time with a local reserve unit right around 2000, and after training we had a pony keg at the bivouac site.

[whiskeymedic]

we seem to be the only military in the world (aside from Muslim countries) who have enacted anti-alcohol rules that border on Puritanism and Prohibition. You can buy a pack of smokes tax-free; and get lung cancer; but you can't touch alcohol because you might become an alcoholic. General Rule 1A, I believe is enforced in "combat zones" like Kuwait, and if you are lucky enough to get R&R in Qatar, you are allowed 2 beers a day. Superbowl was an exception, though I'd be curious how that was enforced....

[Ryan Biggs]

There is a book titled "Wine and War" that recounts various tales about wine from WWII. Nazis hoarding French wine, French going to great lengths to hide their best bottles from the Nazis (presumably before surrendering!). But there is a great chapter about the history of wine rations in the French army. Some priceless historical quotes from military and political leaders, extolling the importance of wine rations to keep morale up.

Full disclosure: I am a civilian reader who loves this blog and will write to my congressman to ask that you guys get more cold beer. For godsakes...

[Charley Helvy]

Whiskeymedic,
You are impuning the generosity of our leadership here in Qatar, it is 3 drinks a day :)

[Charley Helvy]

Also there is a ration card that is issued to everyone at the beggining of each month that is punched or marked by services people, they are issued by first shirts and you can't get a beer without one, even military retirees who are lowly contractors now like me need one.

[David Seitz]

I served in the USCG on OSCGC Hamilton out of Boston. 75-77.
During Fishery Patrol in the North Atlantic, in a 13' motor life boat, taking boarding parties to foreign fishing ships, when the frigid water spray stung your face. We would get back to the ship and after the small boat was secured they would pipe "Now hear this, duty boatcrew lay to sickbay". We would go there and each get a little airline bottle of whiskey to "warm" us up. Needless to say there was never a shortage of deckies to volunteer as boat crew. Semper Paratus.

[David Seitz]

I served in the USCG on USCGC Hamilton out of Boston. 75-77.
During Fishery Patrol in the North Atlantic, in a 13' motor life boat, taking boarding parties to foreign fishing ships, when the frigid water spray stung your face. We would get back to the ship and after the small boat was secured they would pipe "Now hear this, duty boatcrew lay to sickbay". We would go there and each get a little airline bottle of whiskey to "warm" us up. Needless to say there was never a shortage of deckies to volunteer as boat crew. Semper Paratus.

[Dan]

no beer for us here in baghdad, us troops are forbidden. British drink merrily away, as do contractors and Iraqis. give us a break.