US Army Alaska to Ban Alcohol in Barracks

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By Sam Friedman - Fairbanks Daily News-Miner / sfriedman@newsminer.com

Story Created: Feb 2, 2013 at 8:41 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Feb 2, 2013 at 8:41 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — The U.S. Army in Alaska will ban alcohol in barracks across the state, including at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, effective February 15.

U.S. Army Alaska commanding general Major Gen. Michael Garrett announced the new policy in a letter published this week in the official military newspaper, the Alaska Post.

The Army adopted the ban to reduce disciplinary problems associated with alcohol and their consequences, such as the alcohol-related shooting that killed an Anchorage soldier Christmas morning, he said.

“Arctic Warriors, we have a problem with good order and discipline in our barracks, and it’s our responsibility to fix it,” Garrett stated in the letter. “I don’t believe alcohol is to blame for every case of indiscipline that occurs in the barracks, but alcohol is often a major contributing factor.”

The new policy affects single-soldier housing and surrounding common areas at both Anchorage’s Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks.

“Though this may not be a popular policy, I expect every soldier to comply with it and every leader to enforce it,” Garrett said.

The policy does not extend to family housing at the Army bases, Army spokesman Bill Coppernoll said.

In addition to banning alcohol in barracks, Garrett introduced related policies, including increased enforcement on both Army posts and more “courtesy patrols.”

Courtesy patrols at community “hot spots” off the bases are conducted by groups led by senior non-commissioned officers. The patrols are intended to keep other soldiers in line, he said.

“Apparently in the past, it’s been pretty effective. Seeing a sober military man in military uniform who outranks you has a sobering effect,” he said.

Contact Fairbanks Daily News-Miner staff writer Sam Friedman at 907-459-7545. Follow him on Twitter, @FDNMcrime.

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sweetie777004 said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 11:36 AM

WTG! ! ! ! ! ! ! Proud of our military in Alaska making this movement! Alcoholism has been a problem "all" across this country for years but, our Congressional Delegation ignore's it because majority of them "are" alcholic's (but, won't admit it). I've personally experienced this problem in my family and I'm sure "many" have in this country. WTG, Alaska!!!

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ssalaska33 said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 1:54 PM

Way to go Mr. Garrett, now your soldiers will be getting in more trouble out on the economy and your number of soldiers DUI's will go up dramatically. Why not ban alcohol in housing on the base as well ? I am sure married soldiers never get in trouble with alcohol ? What has happened here is multiple failures on the command and NCO chain. Why did the soldier have a gun in his barracks room ? Isnt command policy for soldiers to secure personal firearms in the company arms room ? What happened to CQ (Charge of Quarters) on duty checking on soldiers, where is the NCO on CQ when all this is happening ? Where are the NCO's sending their soldiers to alcohol counseling when the recognize a problem ? Its not happening ! Your new policy is a FARCE General and all you will create is MORE problems for your soldiers and communities. NCO's need to buck up and take care of the soldiers !

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Jeffrey Ryle, 1SG Retired said on Saturday, Feb 2 at 5:10 PM

I would have couched it differntly but I agree with ssalaska33 above. The US Army brought this problem upon themselves by taking away CQ's, having coed barracks, and making it uncomfortable for the chain of command to check on the soldier's health and welfare in the barracks. The banning of alcohol in the barracks is just another knee-jerk reaction, a decision made by a MG with a weak staff. Why not just "ban" alcohol consumption for all servicemembers serving on Active Duty? --That's how absurd the General's policy is.

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Nathan Kerr said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 2:11 PM

When are we going to get real and quit treating Soldiers like children? The Army treats its grown Soldiers like kids and then expects them to act like adults off duty. How about treat all Soldiers like the grown men they are and if one screws up, punish him and get rid of him!

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TheDarkTaco said on Sunday, Feb 3 at 3:37 PM

I remember when I was deployed. We had a Lieutenant Colonel pass away from inhaling canned air. A few days later our CG put out a new regulation stating that E-4s and below are not allowed to purchase canned air but instead must check it out from the 1SG. Even when we were not at fault; we were still treated like children.

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