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Drunk and disorderly soldiers sacked

Published: 2 Sep 09 18:52 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21838/20090902/

Two soldiers who left their weapons unattended while drinking themselves senseless during service in Kosovo in May have been dismissed by the Swedish Armed Forces.

The soldiers – a sergeant and his deputy – first drank schnapps at the residence of a local contact, while leaving their weapons unattended in a car parked outside. The soldiers then continued their partying at a local night club, and when the men left the club, they discharged a weapon in the street.

The sergeant then ordered his deputy and an interpreter, who was also with the men, to put on fighting equipment and arm themselves.

“The group sergeant and his deputy have demonstrated a serious lack of judgment concerning alcohol consumption and security consciousness regarding their weapons,” said chief defence forces lawyer Gunnar Jonason in a statement.

The Swedish Armed Forces personnel department has dismissed both soldiers.

TT/Stuart Roberts (news@thelocal.se)

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15:53 September 2, 2009 by Harding00
This is why the US has a strict no alcohol policy while on duty (or anywhere that is considered a war zone, etc)...guns and alcohol don't mix!!!!!! I wonder what the Swedish military says about alcohol, is it allowed while on duty or in war zones, as long as you have you gun in your hand and don't get too drunk? I'd really like to know.
16:58 September 2, 2009 by Leprehcaun
@ Harding00

I am a bit surprised that it isn't obvious to you that alcohol while on duty, especially when armed isn't allowed. Most likely it's not allowed to drink in a war zone at any time but Kosovo (I am assuming you have no idea where that is or why there are armed forces there) isn't a war zone so maybe it is allowed to drink while off duty there. But never while on duty.
17:38 September 2, 2009 by Harding00
Well, I know that in Iraq the Italian military was allowed to drink on base. The Americans, for obvious reasons, were not allowed to drink. I personally wouldn't want a drunk person near me when a grenade goes off. And I realize that Kosovo is no longer a war zone, that is why I out the little "etc." there. I have no idea what the Swedish rules are, but I was also being a little sarcastic. The article said they were dismissed because they got very drunk and fired shots. But now if you replace "soldier" with "doctor," and "firing shots" with "operating on someone," then all they would get is a probationary period http://www.thelocal.se/21812/20090901/
20:39 September 2, 2009 by seekingtruth
Good point Harding00, a clear policy disrepancy between the Army and Health institues. ^^;

As for me I would be perfectly happy only when alcohol disappeared as a cultural must-have-at-parties-and-lonely-evenings. It really isn't needed there, is it?
09:56 September 3, 2009 by rybo1
Yeah, American soldiers would never do such a thing, they'd leave all of the bizarre behaviour to their mercenary contractors.
14:21 September 4, 2009 by La Figaro
Kosovo is no longer a war zone & those swedish soldiers got drunk? Fair enough, it was a great lapse of judgement on their part.

Rybo1, who said american soldiers can't do such a thing? American troops in Iraq have done worse, from abusing prisoners to raping a girl then killed her & her family to cover their tracks. Note: They weren't drunk at that time.
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