This is a bit x-rated but do they put a powder in soldier's food called saltpeter to reduce their libido?

Question

I'm sure this is only an "urban legend" or perhaps in the fevered minds of my dad and grandpa. Ever since Jamie joined the Army they are "full of themselves" telling me war and military stories of their experiences. One thing seriously though is I feel bad for my other grandpa who was a draft dodger, hippie, and war protester during the Vietnam War and I always try to make sure he isn't left out by the other too when they recount their experiences. My other grandpa is a Vietnam combat war veteran and my dad is a veteran of the Marine Corp with 6 years of active duty. Anyway this evening I was over my parent's house though I'm staying with my parents in law (its 10 times calmer and less crazy there) and they were filling my head with stories. They claim that the Army (and Marine Corp too I guess) puts this powder in soldier's food to control their "urges". Is this their fevered imaginations or is it so? I hope when I see Jamie again he doesn't go "flat" on me lol lol.

Answer 1

One of my jobs as an officer in the Air Force was being in charge of an Alert Facility. This is where B52 Bomber aircraft loaded with nuclear weapons were and where KC135 aerial refuelers were. Their crews would stay there once a week for a month. In the facility was a mess hall. I checked out the urban legend, because I was the mess hall's Commander. Generally, the only thing the military puts into food is salt and pepper, because they don't buy spices or herbs.

Answer 2

I joined the Navy in 2002, and there were still stories of salt peter being dumped in recruits' food. Salt peter isn't even proven to have any effect on the libido. Apparently it got started way back in the day, when the British Navy used it to preserve meat (no, not that kind of meat) on their ships. The sailors believed it was to to keep their little sailors from standing at attention, and then it snowballed from there. It's an urban legend.

Answer 3

Of course they do!!!

Really they don't.

Actually you'll be so frigging stressed out that will probably be the furthest thing from your mind . . . at least until Sunday when the families used to get on the the MCRD in San Diego. The women just seemed to love walking around in those minis that fall. LOL

Answer 4

think that has always been an urban legend but if someone believes it, that may be as good as if it were done.
although almost every serviceman serving in another country is honorable, there are still those who commit rape while serving there so if salt peter is put into the food, it must not work so you have nothing to worry about.

Answer 5

Nope, you still get boners once in a while. You're usually just too tired or have more important things on your mind. "Victory Punch" is pretty much a poor mans Gatoraid... If you're looking sloppy, he might go "flat" when he sees you. Other than that, he'll do his "duty"...

Answer 6

Completly False. See the below link:
http://www.snopes.com/military/saltpeter.asp

Answer 7

Well I was in the Marines just a few years back, 1980 when I got out, and we heard that when we were in Boot Camp. I can't confirm it but I can tell you that I had ZERO erotic dreams and the common outcome of them. After I was out into my regular duty station all was normal again.... CirCumstantial evidence, but it convinced me... (couldn't resist the word play..) (-:

Answer 8

You'll find this story in any military base, any colleg campus, any hospital, rest home, ....wherever a lot of people are fed in a communal setting.
It's pure BS.

Answer 9

We drank tap water like everyone else (even the TI's) in basic training. It would have affected everyone (including the group commander who dined with us daily) and he had a few kids himself.

Don't believe stuff like this. It wastes your time.

Answer 10

Total bunk - we've got 4 kiddos and they were "one shot" deals! Two are Korea returnee babies! After 18yrs of marriage and numerous times apart there's still not problems on this front!