This should go over well The last sentence of the article was really a surprise.


Japan has reportedly confined all U.S. troops in Okinawa to their base and off-base residences in addition to prohibiting them from purchasing or consuming alcohol after one of their fellow Marines allegedly killed a local man while believed to be intoxicated.
“When our service members fail to live up to the high standards we set for them, it damages the bonds between bases and local communities and makes it harder for us to accomplish our mission,” declared U.S. Forces Japan in a statement Sunday. “We are committed to being good neighbors with our host communities.”

Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of Marine Forces Japan, expressed his “deepest regret and sincere condolences” to the Okinawan victim’s family, noting that the Marine Corps was cooperating fully with local law enforcement and would “take every possible step to keep this from happening again.

Military punishment for a DUI can range from “a court-martial” to “a letter of reprimand,” among other forms of reprimands, according to legal experts.

NBC News reports:

Alcohol may have been a factor in the crash, which occurred before dawn Sunday in Naha, in Okinawa prefecture, the U.S. military said. The U.S. government-funded Voice of America quoted local police as saying the Marine’s blood-alcohol level registered three times the legal limit during a breath test.

Police on the southern Japanese island reportedly arrested a 21-year-old Marine on suspicion of drunken driving, The Associated Press reported, citing Kazuhiko Miyagi of the Okinawa police. That information could not immediately be confirmed by NBC News.

The Marine allegedly destroyed the local victim’s small truck, smashing it into an unrecognizable heap of twisted metal, photos of the scene reportedly show.

Japan houses an estimated 50,000 U.S. forces, nearly half of them serving on Okinawa. Tensions between the American troops and the locals have been simmering for years.

A military order “directs commanders across Japan to immediately begin leading mandatory training in responsible alcohol use, risk management and acceptable behavior for all military members and U.S. government civilians in Japan,” reports NBC News. “It restricts all U.S. military personnel on Okinawa to their bases or their homes, and it prohibits alcohol consumption by all U.S. military personnel across the country at all times.”

When compared to civilians, the prevalence of heavy alcohol use is much greater among young service members, reported the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

http://www.breitbart.com/natio...fatal-suspected-dui/

quote:

Originally posted by olfuzzy:

...Japan has reportedly confined all U.S. troops in Okinawa to their base and off-base residences in addition to prohibiting them from purchasing or consuming alcohol after one of their fellow Marines allegedly killed a local man while believed to be intoxicated...

The lead sentence implies it was the country of Japan than banned alcohol, it was US Forces Japan.

https://www.navytimes.com/news...roops-and-civilians/

New alcohol ban for Japan-based troops and civilians

By: Geoff Ziezulewicz

U.S. Forces Japan ordered an alcohol ban for troops based in Japan, and restricted Okinawa-based service members to their base and residences Sunday, after a fatal vehicle crash involving a U.S. Marine that killed an Okinawan man.

The 61-year-old victim was making a turn when his vehicle was struck by the Marine’s truck coming from the opposite direction early Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

Witnesses said the Japanese driver had the right of way, and that the Marine may have gone through a red light, according to local media reports cited by the AP.

The Marine was slightly injured in the 5:30 a.m. crash in Okinawa’s main city of Naha.

Police said a breath test indicated the Marine’s alcohol level was three times the legal limit, according to the AP.

A U.S. Forces Japan statement said alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

The names of the victim and the involved Marine have not been released.

U.S. Forces Japan ordered Okinawa-based troops restricted to their base and residences, and banned alcohol consumption in residences and public locales.

Troops based in mainland Japan were also prohibited from buying or drinking alcohol on or off base, a release states.

Mandatory training for all troops and government civilians will be held across Japan to address responsible alcohol use, according to the command.

The command said in the release that it is committed to being “good neighbors with our host communities.”

“The vast majority of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians in Japan serve honorably and make great contributions to the defense of Japan,” the command said. “When our service members fail to live up to the high standards we set for them, it damages the bonds between bases and local communities and makes it harder for us to accomplish our mission.”

There are about 44,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan, with more than 25,000 troops stationed in Okinawa.

Yeah. Group punishment always works best.

US Marines. These are the world greatest fighters and you treat them likes shit. These are men who are being treated like little kids. Fuckin disgusting. BTW, when fuck-face in North Korea wants to kick you in the ass it will be the Marines in Okinawa who protect you.

quote:

Group punishment

Excepting atrocities like the holocaust, etc, it's one of humanity's worst ideas, ever. ^

If the OP would correct his title to better reflect reality it would be pretty good and everything.

" U.S. Forces Japan ordered Okinawa-based troops restricted to their base and residences, and banned alcohol consumption in residences and public locales."

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Originally posted by 46and2:

quote:

Group punishment

Excepting atrocities like the holocaust, etc, it's one of humanity's worst ideas, ever. ^

Agreed. It's lazy and counterproductive leadership.

All leave is cancelled until morale improves.

quote:

Originally posted by Sigmund:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by olfuzzy:

"U.S. Forces Japan ordered Okinawa-based troops restricted to their base and residences, and banned alcohol consumption in residences and public locales.

Troops based in mainland Japan were also prohibited from buying or drinking alcohol on or off base, a release states."

Am I the only one who thinks these prohibitions are only for 10 days or whatever?

When I was in Okinawa, in the early 90s, one thing was clear if you read between the lines.

You would be sacrificed in a New York second, (60 times faster than a New York minute...) if you did anything that might bring derision or discredit upon the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement, otherwise known as the "Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between Japan and the United States of America, Regarding Facilities and Areas and the Status of United States Armed Forces in Japan", but the latter was too hard to recite when drunk as a sailor...)

Saw quite a few troops hung out to dry in the Rising Sun to appease the political/PC crowd.

There was some real heartburn between some of the Okinawan people and the U.S. Forces.

I think we were the "proxy" for the hatred the Okinawan people had towards mainland Japanese.

Since they could not effectively fight the mainland folks, they took on the U.S. and it gave them the feeling of some power and control over their lives.

But what do I know. I just kept low and made no trouble.

When I was in Europe courtesy of Uncle Sugar, we were told repeatedly if we were arrested by the locals, to expect zero help from the military. And face military consequences if we ever got out of jail.
I maintained a low profile.

Was one of our port of call in early 60's,most just stayed on board,that place was a shit hole with attitudes.

Back a few years ago at the oil-spill response, several sailors got drunk in New Orleans (I know right?), & got arrested for DWI.

The Admiral finally made N.O. off limits to any sailors not actually stationed there.

Funny thing, DWI/DUI's stopped in N.O...they just began showing up in the surrounding towns and casinos....

We're guests in their country and should behave. It's the Navy and they're squids- If you don't know what that means to your community- You're lucky.

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
It's the Navy and they're squids- If you don't know what that means to your community- You're lucky.

Do tell, Please enlighten me.............

When I was on Okinawa in 1965 relations with the Okinawans was a problem then. Apparently it has not improved. I thought there was talk of relocating Marines to Guam and Australia.

God, I can't imagine being stuck in Iwakuni for six months without alcohol.

It is the only thing that made it tolerable. I spent my 21st birthday there and had a memorable time at the party. If I could remember it.

I can't recall an alcohol ban for all services in Japan recently, but about two years ago, the Navy banned alcohol and off-base liberty for all Navy personnel stationed anywhere in Japan due to a DUI death on Okinawa. I think it lasted 3 weeks. It was a knee-jerk reaction, and I don't think any other services followed suit.

The biggest political shitstorm I recall having to do with Okinawa troops was the 1995 rape of a 12 year old girl by 2 marines and a sailor. There were all kinds of restrictions on liberty for a while after that happened.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...kinawa_rape_incident

quote:

U.S. Forces Japan ordered an alcohol ban for troops based in Japan, and restricted Okinawa-based service members to their base and residences Sunday, after a fatal vehicle crash involving a U.S. Marine that killed an Okinawan man.

Nothing like massive over-reaction! I was never stationed there, or in the far east but it seems that over the last several years that the USA decided to kowtow to the locals/Japanese.

I wonder what they would be saying if we moved all those troops and support facilities away from Okinawa. Like Australia, maybe?

I am sure the Command is trying to get everyone's attention with a temporary measure. If you want to change the culture that ignores or promotes alcoholism, you first have to get everyone's attention. I am also sure there is a national security interest here. Okinawa bases are strategically important to us and a lot of Japanese want us out because of the history of criminal behavior by some of our troops. It is also important to note that such behavior reflects poorly upon the individual's chain of command and can wreck their careers as well. Commanders are expected to maintain good order and discipline in their units.

I live near two Navy bases and shop in the Exchange. The Navy and USMC recognizes they have an alcohol problem and is taking a broad spectrum approach, including recently raising the price of alcohol in the Exchange. Peer pressure is one effective tool to change unacceptable behavior.

The Air Force has taken an anti-alcoholism approach for 20 years. The Clubs are essentially gone except in remote locations. It is common that when an Airman is arrested for DUI, his or her entire squadron must stand formation in Service Dress uniform the next morning while the commander explains the dangers of alcohol abuse. It may seem Draconian, but group focus on the asshole that screwed things up for everyone is a powerful tool. The services have been so occupied with LGBTQ sensitivity training in the past 8 years that many commanders have lost sight of what is important.

I personally am embarrassed that a U.S. military person would drive drunk in a host nation.

quote:

Originally posted by navyshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by braillediver:
It's the Navy and they're squids- If you don't know what that means to your community- You're lucky.

Do tell, Please enlighten me.............

Yes please enlighten us, especially those of us who spent 20+ years in. I'm sure this will be very entertaining (and better than "group punishment" replies).