Is it too late to change armies?

Reuters ^ | January 08, 2006

[jb6]

AMSTERDAM: Dutch troops helping earthquake survivors in Pakistan have complained that while they are subject to an alcohol ban, Spanish and British soldiers laugh at their austerity and turn up drunk at their campfire.

"We were told before we arrived that alcohol was banned in this country or else very difficult to get hold of and we accepted this," one soldier told the Dutch daily De Telegraaf.

"The Spanish drive around with cars full of Heineken ... and the English laugh at us when they show up at our campfire drunk," another Dutch soldier said.

A Dutch defence ministry spokesman said it was standard policy to ban alcohol in Muslim countries in line with local custom and Dutch troops were being well looked after.

"Tens of thousands of people lost their lives in the earthquake and hundreds of thousands lost everything they had," he said. "Going without alcohol is a small sacrifice toward a very good cause."

[Berlin_Freeper]

"and the English laugh at us when they show up at our campfire drunk"


And still we have been able to carry the Brits to victory in many wars.

[Brilliant]

the English laugh at us when they show up at our campfire drunk...


I'm getting the impression that these guys won't be much good if there's a real war.

[Blzbba]

""The Spanish drive around with cars full of Heineken "

If they want Heineken, send in Looter Man!!

[Gordongekko909]

He can steal find beer anywhere!

[ARCADIA]

I'm getting the impression that these guys won't be much good if there's a real war.

Let's see:
- Zero discipline
- Zero resourcefulness
- Zero ability to get along with allies
It's not looking good.

[CJ Wolf]

Hey looks like you are bandwidth looting!

[PAR35]

And still we have been able to carry the Brits to victory in many wars. - Berlin_Freeper

The last time (the only time I can think of) that Germany carried England to Victory was at Waterloo - and that was against the French. The Brits and the Germans lost the American Revolution.

[jb6]

But normally they bring all their own drugs!

[NYFriend]

Does anyone know if Pakistan is still a dry country? I know that non-muslims and can an ID that largely exempts them from the jurisdiction of the religious police (handy to have when they want to stone you). Non-muslims may also be able to drink. I'm just not sure.

[sean327]

It was the same for us in Somalia, the French Foreign Legion, and the Italians had plenty of alcohol. This is nothing new, but I didn't know the Dutch military was dry on deployments like us.

[Blzbba]

"Hey looks like you are bandwidth looting!"



Yeah, I'm all out of Heineken... /sarc


I don't know what happened. The next person who posted after me saw it.

[Theprovisioning]

I was under the impression that we are already in a war. The Brits have should side by side with America for a LONG time, and I hope, will continue to do so.
Yes the Brits love a good drink, as many former serviceman on this site will agree with. I do not think that takes anything away from their professionalism. Through my personal experience, I would say that they are some of the most competent and respected soldiers in the world. Certainly the most resourceful, they have to be. Their Government is not known for supplying them with the latest available equipment. They are not called "The Borrowers" for nothing! The British do get on with their Allies, I think the problems that do occur are often blow out of proportion by the mainstream media. I would certainly prefer to fight along side them than against them.
I am sure you were attempting a humorous response, but I just did not see it. PS. Great site great community, keep up the good work!

[ARCADIA]

We were talking about the Dutch troops; specifically the subset of Dutch troops who are complaining to the media about not having as much access to beer as their British counterparts.