Please, don't kill the messenger!  Just passing along news and I don't mean to offend anyone!

I just read the military.com newsletter and it lead with the news that US legislation may ban all "porn" on military bases around the world.  It said "Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale".  I don't know about that - that's a man-thing...

Many people do subscribe to one in particular and feel that it is "tastefully" done and "artistic".

I know that ALL porn is banned from being sent to Muslim countries.  Recently one contact made a point of saying they are all young men and wanted magazines (with girls) and calendars (with girls) in them. 

Question is - can we send our soldiers calendars with women in bathing suits, catalogs from Victoria's Secret,  Sports Illustrated bathing suit edition, etc.?  I DO NOT want to be banned from sending packages and be on a Muslim country's you-know-what list!!

Again, I am very sorry if this matter bothers you - I'm really trying to look at it from the soldier's point of view.

Kaylynn

 Kaylynn,

I want to understand this better as well.  I will not shoot you for asking a question I have often wanted to ask myself.

It would help if there was a list of what magazines were not allowed and which magazines were allowed by country.  If anyone knows of this source, please do list it in this thread.

Magazines are often requested and I send what the soldiers ask for. I may get shot for saying this, but a 9, 12 or 15 month deployment is a very long time not to see your wife, girlfriend, or significant other and if looking at a pretty girl in a magazine boosts moral, then so be it. I have only sent Maxim, FH, Stuff, nothing hard core.

 Just my opinion, but those politicians deciding to ban men's magazines need to spend a tour of duty away from their wives and girlfriends in a hostile place defending our nation before they go making stupid decisions.

Guess I better prepare for some criticism being shot my way huh?

Best, 

Kaylynn:

I just read the military.com newsletter and it lead with the news that US legislation may ban all "porn" on military bases around the world.

I think this is the issue you're referring to. (Correct me if I'm wrong.)

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/military_pornography_stores_042208w/

I would say the key word here is pornography (Penthouse, Playboy, etc.), which is not the same as men's magazines, such as Stuff and Maxim.

There was a previous discussion about magazines here in the Forum that might be helpful for people:

Magazines.

I've had similar thoughts so glad you brought it up. I'd also like to know of any "approved magazines list" if one does exist.

I subscribed to several magazines just so I could send them out in boxes (without paying cover price). Mens Health is a good one. I bought one Maxim, and after looking through it decided I'd rather send others. I know the guys like it, though. I think it's as wild and crazy as is permissable. 

Another outstanding magazine is Mental Floss. I send that to several contacts and they all love it. Not a "men's magazine", but I am pretty sure most men will like it.  

I don't know.......seems like to me these people might have more serious things to consider rather than spending time trying to decide if certain magazines should be banned.

And that's from an Army mom, FOR SURE!!!

Reta

Hello Jenifer ~

The newsletter that I read is actually found at "military.com".  On the left side you can choose which branch 's newsletter you would like to receive.  This was in the Marine section today.

Thanks for the referral to last year's discussion on this matter.

Porn has been banned as long as i can remember already so this is curious?

I've sent Maxim, SI swimsuit ed, etc .Are they considering banning that? I would think if all the ahem.. parts... are covered, it's not porn? Hmmmm....

How about ''women's'' magazines for female soldiers?  Some of the topics discussed in these magazines are enough to make me blush I picked some up at the library (just 10 cents!) to send to a female soldier, and am not sure if they would be OK in that part of the world. 

If all of you would notice, there are often requests for things that we aren't supposed to send for one reason or other.  The fighting men who are not at the top of the ranks many times don't have a clue as to what can be sent over there, and we have to make the decision as to whether we will follow restrictions or not when sending a package.  We got some motorcycle mags in a stack that was donated, along with other men's mags and threw half of them away after finding topless girls in them which isn't something that would be acceptable in Muslim countries.  Oh, yes, they ask for them, but that doesn't obligate us to send them.  I also wouldn't allow a grandchild of mine to carry a toy gun to school even though they don't harm anyone.  These are grown men, not spoiled children.

Gran

My contacts understand that I follow the AS guidelines. Example: no hand sanitizer, no illegal copied music or videos, etc, etc and would never ask for actual pornography.  If they unknowingly ask for hand sanitizer I write and tell them no and here is why. 

My contacts never request porn.  Only mens magazines where all the important female body parts are covered.  They would not ask for something that offended their host country's religious practices and neither would they request a AS supporter married woman go get something with naked women; the soldiers have way too much class to do that.  They are respectful dedicated soldiers, not spoiled kids.

 The discussion is what exactly is getting banned and what isn't when it comes to magazines and seeking specific clarifications.  People in this discussion want to understand what is being banned so they can better adhere to guidelines.
 

Gran:

If all of you would notice, there are often requests for things that we aren't supposed to send for one reason or other.  The fighting men who are not at the top of the ranks many times don't have a clue as to what can be sent over there, and we have to make the decision as to whether we will follow restrictions or not when sending a package.  We got some motorcycle mags in a stack that was donated, along with other men's mags and threw half of them away after finding topless girls in them which isn't something that would be acceptable in Muslim countries.  Oh, yes, they ask for them, but that doesn't obligate us to send them.  I also wouldn't allow a grandchild of mine to carry a toy gun to school even though they don't harm anyone.  These are grown men, not spoiled children.

Gran

Republican Paul Brown Jr. from Goergia's 10th district introduced the "Honor and Descency Act" bill.  Defense Officials have said they don't consider nudity in itself to be "lascivious". Currently Maxium, Playboy, Penthouse are sold on Military bases. People have such a varient definition of Pornography. Almost always such magazines are in sealed plastic.  The Department of Defense long, long time (years) ago removed almost all such magizines from the stores. Again, there are magizines like Playboy etc...that are sold on almost all Military bases. Hon. Brown is looking to remove Penthouse, Playboy and the like from the base stores.  The DOD, Pentagon or its representatives "do not" typically comment on pending legislation.     

Sue,

I said "These are grown men, not spoiled children." and that is what I meant.  I may be off base in your judgement, but my morals don't include looking at magazines with nude/semi-nude women unless you happen to be studying medicine.  We may be miles apart in moral judgement, but that is the way it is in this country.  We have that freedom to determine our morals.  I intend to send nonoffensive and nonrestricted items as I see it.  Everyone else does the same.

Gran

 Thank you CSM Jerry Callaghan for your truly informative post.  It provides valuable information

Best, 

 Just like I said "Guess I better prepare for some criticism being shot my way huh?"

Good thing I have my COMMON SENSE shield up to repel the bullets of the "My morals are better than your morals" person.

Best,