Top General Bars Fast Food on Afghan Bases

In Afghanistan, the top U.S. military commander believes life is a little too comfortable for some of the men and women in uniform.

One example is a garden at headquarters, featured in CBS National Security Correspondent David Martin's .

"What do you think of that garden where you can sip cappuccino under the shade?" Martin asked.

"I'd like to turn it into a rifle range," McChrystal said.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan

He hasn't done that, but McChrystal is shutting down fast-food restaurants on military bases in Afghanistan - such as Burger King - and cutting back on first-run movies.

As a senior adviser to the general explained it, "This is a war zone, not an amusement park."

"You seem to think that life might be a little too soft around headquarters," Martin told the general in September 2009.

"I think life is hard at the combat outposts, and anything that distracts us from supporting them in my mind is something that we shouldn't do," McChrystal replied.

McChrystal himself keeps a murderous schedule, up at 4:30 a.m. and out the door at 5 for his morning run through the maze of buildings and trailers that makes up his headquarters. That is his idea of leisure time.

[Oh5DFAC]

I've was there. I was in Kandahar and other points of interest in Afghanistan for 6 months in 2009. Those burger and sandwich shops need to remain open. The damned NATO DFAC's DO NOT remain open 24-7. If you have to work through lunch or dinner (which happens quite a bit) you don't get to eat unless you go down to the Burger King or Subway or the whatever down on the boardwalk. Plus those NATO DFAC's aren't all that good. I got really tired of them and would even go find an MRE and eat them once in awhile since I was tired of what the Europeans considered to be food. Whatever else McChrystal might be, he's way frigging wrong about this. Comparing Kandahar to an amusement park? I can't even express how stupid of a remark that is. Why doesn't he take out the phones and the computers from the MWR tent too? And the Gym, lets close that too! And lets quit paving the roads! Doesn't he know there's a war on and we're suppose to be miserable SOB's?

[cindyf11]

I have a son serving right now at Bagram Air Force Base and these little comforts help him get through a very difficult time being away from home and loved ones. Why would anyone begrudge them a little comfort. They still train everyday. In our country, on all the military bases there are these fast food restaurants and movie houses, so why is this any different. We can give them fast foods while they train to go over there, but not while they are there. This is hard enough on our troops to be there to begin, give them this little comfort. I would think it would definitely help with troop morals. I know it certainly does with my son.

[HeyLoad]

What a lot of folks fail to realize is that moving these concessions has an impact purely on moral for a percentage ~ not all. These businesses are not impacting fitness ect... These businesses are a really nice break from the rat race that goes on at places like Bagram.

I have spent several rotations as an Aircrew member at Bagram. We utilized places like Pizza hut for birthday's, promotions ect.... It really was a nice break. There are several troops that use places to get a taste of home ESPECIALLY THOSE RETURNING FROM OUTSIDE THE WIRE.

I like how several of these comments are from people who have never had the pleasure of deploying (please know that I have volunteered for all my rotations....and have 10+ years of service in)

[bombender]

brianbwb2011 you are without a clue; I agree with the policy but for reasons beside making Soldiers misrable. Soldiers that the people we put in office sent there. Grow up get a life and move out out your moms basement.

[kiki787]

I think they should be getting the scientifically best nutrition possible not corporate garbage. Fast food is proven to cause all kinds of mental and physical problems. Look up excitotoxins. Food affects everything. I think they should be insulted to have that food presented. "An army lives on its stomach. For as long as man has warred, the toughest tactical feat is feeding men who fight battles." They deserve better!

[PSCALFA]

I'm sorry. My comment was not for DSL-57 , but to brianbwb2011.

[ihk888]

with roadside bombs, bullet flying all over and out top general worry about our soldiers' health from eating fast food? this is a joke. maybe he should instruct all soldiers to take aerobic exercise, diet program, meditation and yoga etc to have a healthy meaningful life. maybe five minutes of pray several times a day would help as well. I feel great deal of pride from our military top brasses and our leaders in Washington as well. what a shame.

[tjmat38]

I think this is a bad idea. I get it that today?s military is an all volunteer organization, but commanders need every tool they can get to help keep morale up. The better the morale the more effective soldiers are, besides has anyone ever eaten a Meals Ready to Eat (MRE)? There are more calories per- servings in a MRE than there are in two whoppers. I admit if soldiers are bursting out of their uniforms then something needs to be done, but don?t punish all because a few have no self control. Anyone who has ever been in combat knows a lack of morale can kill a unit faster than a field of IEDs. This is from an old soldier?s point of view. Take, care and what every deity you believe in keep you safe from harm.

[marhuba]

I totally agree! As you know a warzone can be stressful enough and having some of the comforts of home make it more bearable. I have heard so many soldiers express there anger about Gen McChrystal forcing AAFES to shut down concessions. I do not buy the arguments made by the higher up's; I am here on the ground and see that we have more than enough space, and the soldiers on the FOBS always come to the larger bases like Bagram and enjoy the concessions. I think this move is going to increase the suicide rate and lower moral. This chioce was made by people who have no idea what the life of a regular GI is anymore.

[harcourt05]

As a mental health person, although the army is voluntary, I believe this is a mistake. I think that we will notice an increase of suicide rates. As we all go to work and come home for the day we allow ourselves the opportunity to decompress and escape the day. These guys do not have that opportunity. As the wife of a soldier, I would like to think that my husband could go grab a burger after a long day instead of eating at the chow hall, just for a change of pace. I think that my husband should be able to go to the garden and sip his coffee if that's what he needs to escape for a few minutes on his down time. I can't imagine that anyone going to Burger King for an occasional burger would think that they are at an amusement park of any kind. The soldiers always have a weapon on their side including during there down time. I really think there will be serious consequences to taking all the little things that people not there wouldnt see as a big deal. Everyone needs to escape there stress from time to time or we are going to see more of the Ft. Hood tragedy occuring over seas. It really is the little things that help get these guys through a rough situation. I understand that people are not going to agree with my opinion, and that's ok. Not everyone there believes we should be there but unless they want jail time instead, there is no other choice for the men and women who wear the uniform. This is not a job you can just walk out on because you don't agree with what is going on without serious consequences.

[HGOODGUY]

Good move!!

Has anyone ever noticed that our collective weight as a country has risen with the sales and earning reports of fast food companies???

I am not a veggie or a health nut but maybe we need to slow down nd think about what we are eating and what it is doing to us.

Believe me it doesn't take much effort and it really isn't much of a stretch to eat a little more healthy! Unless you prefer to keep your local cardiologist busy!