Substances to Avoid
Proper health and fitness reflect a mature decision you make to set a good example for
your unit. Moreover, it’s a wise lifestyle choice that will help you live a longer, more
productive life. As an officer in training, you should avoid substances that detract from
your physical performance and even harm your health (drugs, tobacco, alcohol, etc.).
Alcohol:
Many people in our society have traditionally believed that alcohol—wine, beer, or hard
liquor—relaxes you, increases your self-confidence, and alters your perception of stress
or fatigue. It’s true that for most people, light consumption of alcoholic beverages can be
a pleasant social diversion. But habitual, heavy drinking or binge drinking can cause severe
dehydration, decreased performance, dependence, and harm to your metabolism.
The Army expects you to exercise your judgment and drink responsibly, which includes
obeying all laws regarding driving and the legal drinking age, if you choose to drink at all.
And never drink to “quench your thirst” before, during, or after a workout.
Tobacco:
Cigarettes, cigars, and “smokeless” tobaccos contain a whole gamut of cancer-causing
chemicals that provide no positive health effects. Some maintain that the “buzz” from
tobacco leads to improved performance and reaction times, but no medical evidence
supports this position. In the interest of good physical fitness, it is better if you don’t smoke
at all. If you do smoke, however, limit your intake and avoid smoking before, during, and
after workouts. Smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure.
Controlled Substances:
Controlled substances are those strictly regulated by the government and may require
medical prescription. You should use such substances only under medical supervision.
Other drugs such as amphetamines, narcotics, steroids, and other so-called “performance
enhancing drugs” are illegal and banned by the military. These drugs change performance
by increasing central nervous system arousal. They increase your heart rate and blood
pressure and they may cause dizziness, nausea, irritability, insomnia—even death. No
one interested in good physical fitness consumes these substances; they can only detract
from your performance in both the short and long term. The Army forbids their use.