Can my squad leader tell me not to smoke cigarettes ?

Question

I got out of basic and got deployed here to Iraq about a month later. Ever since I have been in this platoon my squad leader hasn't let me smoke cigarettes. He says it's because it affects my performance, but it doesn't. I run with the best of them and I perform my job well. I tried looking up Army regulations but couldnt find anything. Can someone please help me out, and give me something I can print and show him ?

Answer 1

If you are on a mission yes. However, if you are back at your choo, feel free. And respectfully challenge him to show you a reg that states you can't smoke while your not outside the wire. Sounds like you have a crappy chain of command. On top of that, "it is not the policy of the army to make someones personal policy your policy". And one other thing. Does it adversely affect the combat capability of your unit continuing and completing your mission? As for whoever said you should stop whining outside the COC, if you're COC is jacked up, as I've served under a bad COC at one time, should go shoot themself in the head. I appreciate the fact that there may be NCO's here that have been in combat zones/ conflicts or etc. that have knowledge. The Army has given me some great tools to succeed in the military and civillian life. It also has given me Acid Reflux and Peptic Ulcers. I am a US Army Ranger, and I can say that if someone such as my PL, PSG, CO or whoever told me that I can't smoke when I'm in country, I'd shove my foot so fas up thier ****, the water on my knee would quench their thirst.

Answer 2

i dont know about you but when i did my tour i would have shoved something up his "6", unless this was a night mission are the saftey of the squad could be in danger or your working in a place where exploses could kill all of you, he has not right to do so,unless he thinks his ways are better then yours ,sounds like a pri-k to me,get in touch with the xo or co or better yet check with the JAG office.

Answer 3

Well if your on a patrol or sumthin then i understand..it could be a distraction to the other men or you could easily show the enemy where u r at..but if your just chilling i dont seem why

Answer 4

I'm sure you have heard of the phrase "You are property of the U.S. government."  If he thinks it hinders your performance than he has the right to tell you what not to do.  But if you don't like it go up the chain, as a courtesy let him know what you are intending to do so he does not get blindsided by his superior.

Answer 5

SH 21-10

Soldiers will not smoke or eat while walking.

10 years from now when you are not hacking your lungs up every morning you will look back and think "That old f**t has saved me enough to buy a new car and probably given me 10 extra years to live"

Now you are just to young and stupid to know it. Don't worry though so were most of us.

1. Disobeying an order = bad idea. Telling you to NOT smoke breaks no law. Were you allowed to smoke in Basic?

2. Going before the world of other "Old Farts" looking for backup = VERY bad idea.

3. Whining outside the Chain of Command = bad idea

4. Not learning a good lesson from someone smarter than you = WTF is wrong with you boy!

I was once ordered to flip a bracket on the wall upside down. d**n near got my butt in sling and an Art. 15 for being young and stupid.

Suck it up! Live long and prosper!

You got no other choice.

SSG US Army 73-82

Quit smoking 15 years ago, feel great.

Quit drinking 17 years ago, feel great.

AND there are so many women that see the lack of smoke and drink to be attractive that I just don't understand why I ever started either. In other words there is an UPSIDE.

Answer 6

You're in the Army now, brother.

Answer 7

Yes he can.

Sounds like this is a really good time to give up smoking completely.  

Answer 8

Ya it does affect your performance, maybe not now but eventually it will. You cant expect your body to perform as well when u poison it.