Stay Alert: A Look at the Military and Caffeine

The idea of using caffeine in the military isn’t necessarily a new one. In fact it goes all the way back to 1832. In the past couple decades though; the army has discovered new uses for caffeine. Government funded studies are allowing the military to realize the true potential of coffee. With that said, let’s take a look at the history of coffee in the military.

The Beginnings of Coffee Use for Soldiers
The use of coffee in the U.S army starts more than 170 years ago. Throughout the 1820s the U.S. surgeon general, along with the Secretary of War, began to lobby against the inclusion of alcohol in a soldier’s daily rations.
Their efforts weren’t rewarded until 1832 when President Andrew Jackson signed an order that replaced the rations of rum, whiskey, or brandy with sugar and coffee.

Notable Moments in the Development of Caffeine use for Soldiers
With coffee as part of the daily rations supplied to U.S. soldiers, caffeine quickly became an important element in their diet. There are a few other notable moments before we get to today.

1. In 1862, during the civil war, coffee became quite scarce in the confederate army. It wasn’t uncommon for rebel soldiers to hazard the picket lines in an attempt to trade southern tobacco for the much sought after commodity.
2. During WWI the armies’ use of coffee helped to make it a national drink. At the beginning of the war instant coffee was being produced at a rate of 1400lbs per day. By 1918 that production increased to 42,500lbs!
3. Soldiers in WWII were supplied with individual coffee packets that allowed them to make coffee in a steel helmet, or mess cup.
4. Until 1956 the U.S. Navy, and Army, produced coffee in their own plants. By the time they were shut down the plants were responsible for producing seventy million pounds of roasted coffee each year.

With some of the history out of the way, let’s talk about caffeine in the military today.

Caffeine in the Military Today
The rations of coffee in the U.S. army today are changing. Coffee is still a part of the daily provisions, but some more recent studies have led to some new developments in the use of caffeine. In 1998 Wrigley’s (a gum manufacturer) released a product called Stay Alert gum. The product was actually a big flop in the consumer markets, but that may be changing soon.

With the release of this caffeinated chewing gum, the government funded a study to test its use for helping soldiers to stay awake. It was found that chewing 1 piece every two hours could extend the usefulness of a soldier, who went without sleep, from 48 hours to 68. The 100mg of caffeine in the gum absorbs through the mouth, faster than coffee or other caffeinated beverages can supply the same dose. Further testing, in 2004, showed that it also enhances physical performance.

Today the Stay Alert gum is being supplied to soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq, and in 2005 it was approved for first-strike rations. It is also being made available to the U.S. public through the Stay Alert website!
The next time you turn on that Italian espresso machine, your fully automated espresso machine, or your best stove top espresso pot to make your morning brew, you definitely should enjoy that morning cup of coffee. When it comes to quick fix, for that late night at the office though, you might just want to grab a stick of gum.