Marine Corps Exchange Stores Impose New Limits on Alcohol Sales

Marine Corps Exchange stores around the world will impose new limits on alcohol sales in an effort to limit irresponsible drinking, Stars and Stripes reports.

Liquor sales will be banned at Marine Marts next to barracks. The policy limits the floor space used for alcohol to 10 percent. Alcohol will be sold only between 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“Marines will be more conscious of how much they drink,” said Resilience Education Manager Robin Schoolfield. “They have to plan how much they want to drink ahead of time. They won’t be able to walk over in the middle of the night to buy alcohol.”

Last year, the Navy and Marines announced they would start conducting random alcohol breath tests as part of a larger initiative to improve health and safety.

The program was designed to identify soldiers or Marines who may need treatment or counseling. Service members who test positive for alcohol are not allowed to go on duty, but the incident will not be placed on their permanent record.

Earlier this year, the Navy announced it is cutting back the sale hours for alcohol at base stores, in an effort to reduce sexual assaults. The Navy also made changes to its policy about alcohol placement in stores.

Liquor will only be sold at main exchanges or at dedicated liquor stores, and alcohol displays and merchandise in stores other than liquor stores will take up no more than 10 percent of the retail floor space.