THE PENTAGON — Telling reporters on Monday that "we owe it to our people," Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel mentioned a number of items the Pentagon is considering banning to improve wellness across the force, to include tobacco products, energy drinks and combat operations.
"The military's health care costs attributable to just combat operations are astounding," Hagel said, rubbing his eyes since he didn't get the recommended eight hours of sleep last night. "I think we need to take a look at these wars and take into account all the money being spent."
A memo sent from Hagel's office to all military installations instructed commanders to begin eliminating tobacco sales, which it noted could have the effect of lowering costs of lung and mouth cancer while raising costs associated with mental health. It also instructed all deployed units to begin studying the health effects of combat operations.
