Question: Does the military put its soldiers on PEDs? If not, why not?

absolutely they do. Amphetamine use is the most common, given to pilots all the time.

Many of our current PEDs have been manufactured or investigated by the military for their possible efficacy in combat situations.

And Google is your friend.

Quote from the video detail..."ran 3 seconds faster, but carrying an extra 11.2 lbs"

One major issue in the application of the force above the trunk, is that it forces an inefficient over-striding in order to keep the runner from falling over; some of the potential energy from the jet-pack gets translated into an inefficient form that increases risk of injury. (It is understood the idea is to get the solidier out of an area fast, so this is a secondary concern....unless the vacating soldier has to drop due to injury from the high running impact forces).

Rojo, pretty sure the military has looked at PED's; e.g., pilots using stimulants.

Some believe that the spike in suicides among combat veterans is due to a lax military policy on psychotropic drugs (anti-depressants, sleep aids, etc.). The military pretty much lets soldiers go into combat with a 6 month supply of psychotropic drugs.

The problem with using PEDs to build supersoldiers is that it is just too easy to have dosing problems. Most soldiers are kids (18-22 years old). Unless you have a doctor regulating PED use, the risk for overdose is substantial.

LetsRun.com wrote:

We all know the PEDs works. ...

If we were a soldier in combat, we'd want to be on both EPO and a mild-dose of steroids. We'd probably also want some adderall and maybe modafinil as well.

http://www.businessinsider.com/darpa-jetpacks-help-soldiers-run-fast-2014-9

Unless the soldiers are elite east-african athletes that grew up and trained at altitude...then the PED's are not necessary, since they have no effect. (rolls eyes)

Precious Roy wrote:

Some believe that the spike in suicides among combat veterans is due to a lax military policy on psychotropic drugs (anti-depressants, sleep aids, etc.). The military pretty much lets soldiers go into combat with a 6 month supply of psychotropic drugs.

The problem with using PEDs to build supersoldiers is that it is just too easy to have dosing problems. Most soldiers are kids (18-22 years old). Unless you have a doctor regulating PED use, the risk for overdose is substantial.

An 18-22 year old is not a kid.

We all know the PEDs works.[/quote]

No you don't. You're just buying into the hype.

Do you really think that the Ethiopians use these so called 'performance enhancing drugs'?

Officially? NO...NO...and...NO...

Anabolic Steroids are a schedule III controlled substance. You are not going to get a prescription for an anabolic steroid just so you can be a "better soldier"....

....that being said...

I know people take them. I know people take them downrange. I know people get HEEEUUUGE downrange and say it was because they were hitting the gym more often...then come back stateside and shrink to normal size.

The Army's ASAP program (Army Substance Abuse Program) does not test for it. For the uninformed, under ASAP a company (120-150 soldiers) is required to randomly test 10% of its soldiers on a monthly basis. The urine is checked for THC, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, PCP and oxymorphone/oxycodone, it will also test for synthetic drugs such as SPICE. Steroid testing is expensive.

You would be suprised at how many recreational users there are in any gym setting. Statistics show 4-6% of high schoolers have admitted to using anabolic steroids at some point. In a 1993 study of 185 members of health clubs in the southeast 15% of respondants said they had used anabolic steroids and 60% said they knew someone who had used.

Alan

(CIA, not military)

(not limited to but including PEDs)

LetsRun.com wrote:

If not, why not?

Because we are a nation of laws?

Because military leaders are humans?

Because "the military" is not some amorphous/faceless hive society but a law-abiding organization made up of individuals from hometowns across America with names and identities and goals and morals?

Because while some could argue that the military engages in some amount of social experimentation, it tends to eschew widespread medical experimentation?

Because longevity and health are real concerns?

That said: caffeine and nicotine are consumed at high rates, in my experience. And it would be naive to deny that individual soldiers sometimes partake of other substances that help them get through their day. But as for organized, top down ordering of substance abuse, um, they's agin' it. Duh.

yeahyeahyay.. wrote:

But as for organized, top down ordering of substance abuse, um, they's agin' it. Duh.

Sure, keep that head in the sand...

Hitler provided his infantry soldiers with methamphetamines. Hence one of the slang terms for meth - "German Marching Powder".

Field Good wrote:

Hitler provided his infantry soldiers with methamphetamines. Hence one of the slang terms for meth - "German Marching Powder".

As has been stated already, pilots receive methamphetamine as well. Aviation crews also receive sleeping pills if you want to consider those as PEDs.

I don't know if Special Ops gives uppers and downers to their guys but it wouldn't surprise me at all. The sleep / work schedule can be crazy when operating in a combat environment.

According to wiki:

During World War II, amphetamine and methamphetamine were used extensively by both the Allied and Axis forces for their stimulant and performance-enhancing effects.[4][7][8]

Stimulants for pilots maybe.

In my experience we weren't given steroids, but the culture didn't discourage them or test for them. Winstrol V, was very popular and even used by those in command. Not tested either.

BTW the stuff works too. I'm no athlete and was never any good at distance, but I could run a 4:30 mile in boots on the sand when I was amped up. Make sure you get something like, up john, made here in the States.

Of course they do. what kind of dumb question is that?

A sniper in particular needs something that takes him from practically sleeping to 100% in the blink of an eye.

oh here we go wrote:

An 18-22 year old is not a kid.

Have you SEEN 18-22 year olds (particularly if they are in the military)? At that age, the vast majority of males are idiot punk kiddies.

Modafinil (AKA Provigil) is widely used by armed forces these days.

a Vietnam vet once told me a story about how some members of his squad would smoke meth to stay alert

Mr. Obvious wrote:

yeahyeahyay.. wrote:

But as for organized, top down ordering of substance abuse, um, they's agin' it. Duh.

Sure, keep that head in the sand...

Yes, and my tent, and my gear, and my weapon, and my meals.

Been there; done that. Where did *you* serve?