Bases in Afghanistan say good-bye to Whoppers and DQ's

[Sheree Bobbins]

http://afghanistan.blogs.cnn.com/20...fghanistan-say-goodbye-to-whoppers-dq/?hpt=T2

I don't agree with this. Let the soldiers have some of the comforts of home! Of course, I shouldn't second guess the commanders.

 

[Magic Mom]

That's really crappy.

 

[momof1princess]

i think that stinks! the men and women who protect our freedom deserve more, NOT LESS!

 

[Stephanie218]

Eh, I don't have a problem with the fast food going away and my husband doesn't either...and he's in Afghanistan right now. He doesn't eat fast food here, and he hates it being some of the only options to eat over there. He'd much rather have healthier chow hall food provided.

The article does mention that they will be working to provide more fitness centers and phone/internet capability, which is what my husband complains about the most. I haven't heard his voice in 10 days, and the email is sporadic as well. I know being able to communicate with me is more important to him than eating Burger King.

 

[mickeyboat]

Did you read the article?

"Supplying nonessential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need resupplied with ammunition, food and water,” Hall says in the blog posting.

Hall says eliminating the restaurants and other facilities will free up space to accommodate more than 35,000 U.S. and allied troops who will be arriving in Afghanistan in the coming months."

 

[Magic Mom]

Did you read the article?

"Supplying nonessential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need resupplied with ammunition, food and water,” Hall says in the blog posting.

Hall says eliminating the restaurants and other facilities will free up space to accommodate more than 35,000 U.S. and allied troops who will be arriving in Afghanistan in the coming months."

I did read the article, and I still think it's wrong. It seems there could have been some 1/2 way answer that kept some small luxuries and also freed up resources.

 

[My sister's princess]

Every decision has two sides. As an Army wife I hate that my husband may have less access to things that would make his day a little better, but if they really follow through and give them more access to internet and phone, then that would be great.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I hope this is a positive change for the troops.

 

[Silent1CB]

Well cutting the fast food might be ok for some, but cutting movies is a distraction the troops need sometimes. I don't agree with the movie cuts.

Providing more internet & phone would be great though.

 

[4nana]

Supplying nonessential luxuries to big bases like Bagram and Kandahar makes it harder to get essential items to combat outposts and forward operating bases, where troops who are in the fight each day need resupplied with ammunition, food and water,” Hall says in the blog posting.

Hall says eliminating the restaurants and other facilities will free up space to accommodate more than 35,000 U.S. and allied troops who will be arriving in Afghanistan in the coming months.

Sorry to hear about these cuts, makes it tough on an already stressful job. However, if it's necessary for our soldiers in combat outposts (like ours), who are in constant need of resupply of ammuniation, food and water for survival, then it's a positve move. Plus making accomodations for 35,000 new troops may thankfully allow ours to rotate less often. Hopefully the fitness centers, more internet and phone usage will help ease their stress.

 

[mickeylove2]

That really sucks! Hopefully there are other options to the men and women at these bases. Like, when I was in Kuwait, there was a Dominoes Pizza that would deliver to base. Basically, every Thursday our MWR office (where I worked 6p-6a 7 days a week) would take orders from the troops- $5 larges and we would call in the order. They would deliver to the gate and someone (usually me) would drive out to the gate and pick them up. It was a hassle because the deliver driver had to be wanded and car had to be sniffed and searched and each pizza had to be inspected, but it was well worth it because our troops LOVED Thursdays! We also had movie nights where we would play movies on a big screen, no theatre just a projected DVD player, they loved being able to come in and relax and watch a new movie every couple of days. We also had tons of DVDs that could be checked out whenever to take back to your tents. We made due with what we had, but we def didn't have a BK or DQ on base- so hopefully the commanders at these bases will come up with something to offset the removals.

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Lots more places are closing. We read about this awhile back in Army Times.

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/02/military_AAFES_afghanistan_mcchrystal_020510w/

More than 50 AAFES concessions would close under the order, including popular fast-food outlets like Burger King, Popeyes and Taco Bell, as well as jewelry stores, souvenir stores and new car sales outlets.

At least nine main exchange service stores that operate under the auspices of specific deployed U.S. units will remain open. The fate of 14 other main facilities that are not categorized as “unit stores” is unclear.

My DH occasionally enjoyed a subway sandwich in Iraq, having the option was nice. A moral boast for many. I think this just applies to Afghanistan. Not sure why it is not extended to all bases in "combat zones", though I know some are downsizing anyway.

 

[N.Bailey]

Count me among those who think this is just downright crappy. These guys have little in the way of luxury. They are putting their lives on the line for all of us, now they're not even allowed to watch a 1st run movie or eat a burger and fries or a slice of pizza?!?!?!?!

I hope a campaign is started that makes these leaders change this stupid policy. It's all on the guise of an inability to get supplies in that are needed? BS!!!! Loved the, this is not an amusement park comment. It truly shows where the motivation lies.

 

[N.Bailey]

Every decision has two sides. As an Army wife I hate that my husband may have less access to things that would make his day a little better, but if they really follow through and give them more access to internet and phone, then that would be great.

Sure it would be great. I just don't know why it has to be an either or. They should be able to watch a movie AND phone home/log in online, regularly.

People could raise the argument that concessions need to be made, but all I can say is, why? They aren't made where criminals are concerned. They aren't made where politicians are concerned. Take a look at the tab for sending everyone and his brother off to Copenhagen for a LUXURY week (as only 1 tiny example).

This is downright crap!