As an Active Duty member of the Coast Guard, I can tell you that it is sad how much higher the smoking rate is with servicemembers than with the civilian population. I can only imagine how pissed one of those "Old Guard" sailors would be if they stumbled off the boat over to the Exchange to buy smokes/dip and find that they are not allowed to sell it on base anymore. Yes, I am specifically calling out about 1/3 of the senior enlisted by saying that, but they are the ones buying tobacco on base... other than the fresh out of boot camp 18 year olds who take up smoking because their "cool chief" smokes too.


Rant aside, I ranked my specific workplace as Very Well on the poll. My office building on base has outdoor bike racks, and a large area under an indoor stairwell to park bikes. The indoor location does not have a "rack" per se, but several people in the office park our bikes there, and no one has mentioned that we shouldn't. My office also has a large locker room, and everyone has a full size locker - like the tall ones in schools. We have showers and changing areas. My co-workers and supervisors are all supportive of bike commuting.

My Command requires that we spend an hour three days a week doing a "fitness" activity, which for the majority of my unit means going to the gym on base. I was granted permission to go for a bike ride, provided that I can verify that I was riding my bike and not skipping the workout and going straight home.

When I retire from the CG, I know I am going to miss the small perks of being in the military.