U.S. military blames lap dances for declining military discipline

World Tribune ^ | February 3, 2004

[scarface367]

SEOUL – The U.S. military has asked South Korea to ban lap dancing and other lewd acts at local nightclubs near its bases, saying they negatively impact military discipline.

The officials said the military was taking similar steps at other bases in the United States and overseas against lap dancing.

The U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division, which has 15,000 troops near the border with North Korea, recently sent letters to the South Korean Special Tourist Association and local mayors urging a crack down on lap dancing clubs near barracks.

Describing "client-focused exotic dancing" as the principal cause of worsening military discipline, the military letter called for local club owners to "prohibit any physical contact between dancers and (U.S.) customers." South Korean lap dancing clubs are totally dependent on American customers because they are not allowed to take local clients.

U.S. officials declined to specify what they meant by worsening military discipline.

"We are following trends in the United States," Lt. Col. Chris Bailey, the 2nd Infantry Division's assistant chief of staff, told the Stars & Stripes newspaper. The U.S. Forces Korea has consulted mainland laws banning lap dancing, he said.

The more than 90 American installations throughout South Korea have long been a source of friction between residents living near the U.S. facilities, who complain of pollution, noise and traffic from the U.S. bases and occasional crimes by American troops. Many crimes committed by U.S. servicemen involve nightclubs near their barracks. Amid an increasing number of American troops accused of crimes, their legal protection has become a sensitive issues for the two governments.

"The USFK will root out any practices that go contrary to a positive environment for U.S. soldiers, Korean residents and people of all nationalities," said Chae Yang-To, a spokesman for the 2nd Infantry Division.

The United States maintains 37,000 troops in South Korea to help defend it from a potential conflict with North Korea under a bilateral defense treaty signed after the 1950-1953 Korean War.

[mlbford2]

My dad told me some stories about what his buddies used to do in the Korean War with the ladies. Let me tell you, it was a lot more than lap dances.

[JustPlainJoe]

It HAS to be those lap-dancers! It COULDN'T be that the military has gotten soft from mingling our troops with women and gays and having to treat everybody fairly and equally, lowering its standard to do so. Nooooooooooo!

We need to wage WAR against Lap-dancing and their sexual
Ji-had!!!

[Map Kernow]

Don't know about Korea, but I remember the bargirl joints around the old CCK Airbase in Taiwan near Taichung 30 years ago were pretty rough and rowdy.

[Spok]

Yes, it must be difficult to snap to attention with a naked babe on your lap...

[T.Smith]

I've heard stories from people who were stationed in Korea that would straighten your hair. The wildest sort of debauchery has always been going on in Korea. I'd blame declining discipline in the military for declining military discipline.

[Fighter@heart]

OH Man! I hope they don't find out about Olongopo City P.I.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ronin]

Oh for pity sakes....

The majority of the young soldiers over there are young, unmarried and horny. Given the fact that there are very few available single women for them to chase, what does the brass expect them to do?

I can see this backfiring big time.

If they think it is a "worsening military situation" now, just wait until all these frustrated young studs get a few beers into them the NEXT payday and have no place to let off steam.

[Ronin]

One of America's finest soldiers of years gone by once said it plainly.

"A soldier who won't f**k, won't fight."

[JustPlainJoe]

I can see the "Mud-Wrestling" scene from "Stripes"!!!

hehehe....

[Deliberator]

Describing "client-focused exotic dancing" as the principal cause of worsening military discipline [...] U.S. officials declined to specify what they meant by worsening military discipline.

"We are following trends in the United States,"

Trends in the United States indicate that military discipline is worsening in Korea and that this is due to lap-dancing? What gibberish.

[evets]

Already posted here:

[scarface367]

You've never seen the odd things that occur during a Typhoon in Okinawa when you are trapped in the barracks for days.

[glock rocks]

LOL...

And what if these guys went to a strip joint...

and a football game broke out!

[af_vet_1981]

My dad told me some stories about what his buddies used to do in the Korean War with the ladies.

Yes, the Amerasian orphan and abuse problem ...

[Beenliedto]

The U.S. military has asked South Korea to ban lap dancing and other lewd acts at local nightclubs near its bases, saying they negatively impact military discipline.

Uijungbo, 1962.....

Tank you, GI... You numbah one.. two dollah, preeze.

[luvbach1]

...what does the brass expect them to do?

Perhaps self release?

[Ronin]

I would imagine that the troops would respond to that suggestion with one of their own.

[CSM]

I didn't see any substantive information regarding a decline in Soldier's discipline. I would say that this type of move will do more to harm morale than it will do to improve discipline. What great bonding times and blowing off of steam times for the lower enlisted soldier. We may not think it is good behaviour, but it is effective at bringing a group of young soldiers closer. They will fight to the death for their friend a lot quicker than they will for someone they barely know.

[GOPologist]

If you had a naked broad on your lap, I bet yours would snap to attention.