November 19,
2008: Last year, Germany shipped about a million liters (equal to nearly three
million 12 ounce bottles) of beer to its 3,600 troops in Afghanistan. About
70,000 liters of wine were sent as well. Each German soldier is allowed nearly
a liter of beer a day. This is believed to be good for morale. In a further
boost to German troop morale, their government will not allow them to be sent
to any area experiencing heavy combat. Germans also believe that beer confers
certain health benefits. Other NATO troops also get some alcoholic beverages
sent in. U.S. troops, since the 1990s, have been forbidden access to alcoholic
beverages in combat zones.
