# Onanism in the military. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 1, 2014, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292 "2014-02-01T18:53:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/41 "2014-02-02T18:16:10Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Wouldn’t that fall under “not discharging your weapon in the barracks”? Well we did have a President brought up on charges for a drive-by shooting of an intern. ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/42 "2014-02-02T18:25:30Z")
The reason I heard was that Onan was not only disobeying god, he also wanted to bang his SIL without fulfilling the get her pregnant order. So like he was taking advantage of her, but not giving her what she wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/43 "2014-02-02T18:26:58Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > Well i’m going into work tomorrow and can say “same same” to my Thai boss here in Bangkok and he won’t be offended. Neither will any of the colleagues I work with. I’d really like a cite that same same is in any way offensive cause I’ve just not seeing it. Do you and your boss call it “Korean Gutter Talk”? Why are you focusing on the “same-same” part of the sentence, and ignoring that the poster called it Korean Gutter Talk. That _is_ offensive. Right along with “White trash talk” and similar descriptions of expressions or dialect. If another poster said, “In the words of white trailer trash: Onanism ain’t the same thang as jerkin your dick, ya’ll”. That would also be offensive. Stop being so obtuse. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/44 "2014-02-02T19:12:36Z")
> [@bump](#): > > My suspicion is that they were willing to incinerate the printed stuff, but that there are a few external hard drives or the like floating around. On deployment there is a prohibition against having pornography. General Order #1 prohibits pornography, drinking, gambling and all the other good things in life. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/45 "2014-02-02T19:54:46Z")
Do they really obey it or enforce it that hard? I can’t imagine that they don’t play craps and other card games for money, and I find it hard to believe that they don’t have some files encrypted and stashed away on laptops and the like. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/46 "2014-02-02T20:02:43Z")
> [@grude](#): > > The reason I heard was that Onan was not only disobeying god, he also wanted to bang his SIL without fulfilling the get her pregnant order. So like he was taking advantage of her, but not giving her what she wanted. Whether he wanted to bang her isn’t stated - it’s equally plausible that he wanted to look like he was doing what the custom required while making sure she still got chiselled out of her share of the estate. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/47 "2014-02-02T21:04:37Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > On deployment there is a prohibition against having pornography. General Order #1 prohibits pornography, drinking, gambling and all the other good things in life. Availing oneself of the whores is against the rules too, but sick bay gives out rubbers. At least they once did. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/48 "2014-02-02T21:58:49Z")
Well… there’s this: [![](https://dangerjoe.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/noneofthat.jpg) ](https://dangerjoe.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/noneofthat.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2014, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/49 "2014-02-02T22:48:59Z")
> [@Jacques\_Chitte](#): > > it had NOTHING to do with masturbation – as Ulf gives – it was withdrawal/coitus interruptus during INTERCOURSE… Well, that’s one interpretation, but it’s fair to point out that the English word “Onanism” is derived from the other interpretation, that he masturbated before copulation so that he wouldn’t climax with her. ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/50 "2014-02-03T03:19:57Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > I’m a vet ('64 to '68) and I don’t recall any prohibition against masturbation. Oooh! An opportunity to use _BOTH_ of my two favorite palindromes!!! [ul] [li]War? I saw 'Nam. Man, was I raw![/li][li]No, son! Onanism’s a gross orgasm sin. A no-no, son![/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/51 "2014-02-03T03:35:34Z")
It boggles me that the human mind can come up with those—even short ones. I doubt I could ever do it, no matter how hard I tried. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/52 "2014-02-03T04:12:05Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Do they really obey it or enforce it that hard? I can’t imagine that they don’t play craps and other card games for money, and I find it hard to believe that they don’t have some files encrypted and stashed away on laptops and the like. In my little corner of the war they didn’t actively check. But someone will do something stupid to get caught. Like use government computers. ---
**Author:** ![applebetty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4af34b/32.png) [@applebetty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/applebetty)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/53 "2014-02-03T05:08:51Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Availing oneself of the whores is against the rules too, but sick bay gives out rubbers. At least they once did. Our medics gave out condoms to keep the sleeping bags clean, at least in '86-92. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/54 "2014-02-03T08:34:18Z")
> [@Washoe](#): > > It boggles me that the human mind can come up with … I doubt I could ever do it, no matter how hard I tried. hmmm…are we referring to palindromes, or masturbation? 🙂 (man, I love this place! ) ---
**Author:** ![geezer1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d6d6ee/32.png) [@geezer1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/geezer1)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/55 "2014-02-03T12:56:50Z")
Is an “Unfit For Military Service” discharge colored, like a Big Chicken Dinner ? When I was in the Army, General Order #1 was “To take charge of this post and all government property in view” – I guess things have changed a little over the years – do they still have Stable Call ? ? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/56 "2014-02-03T13:39:02Z")
A _Bad Conduct Discharge_, like a _Dishonorable Discharge_, is only issued by order of a court-martial. _Unfit for Military Duty_ is an administrative decision and may be a bar to a future enlistment, depending on if the particulars of the case no longer apply. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/57 "2014-02-03T14:12:20Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I served on a submarine. There is lots of masturbation that goes on on a submarine. Sure, there’s seamen everywhere! ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/58 "2014-02-03T18:23:24Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > Oooh! An opportunity to use _BOTH_ of my two favorite palindromes!!! > [ul] > [li]War? I saw 'Nam. Man, was I raw![/li][li]No, son! Onanism’s a gross orgasm sin. A no-no, son![/li][/ul] _decorous applause_ ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/59 "2014-02-03T18:45:51Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > _decorous applause_ They’re two of my _favorite_ palindromes, but if I am to accept applause I must hasten to clarify that I did not come up with them myself. I’m glad you enjoyed them! [I _think_ I read both of them in this book: “Ana, Nab a Banana”.](http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1688066.Ana_Nab_a_Banana) ---
**Author:** ![tonyfop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/85f322/32.png) [@tonyfop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tonyfop)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292/60 "2014-02-03T19:00:01Z")
> [@mangeorge](#): > > Availing oneself of the whores is against the rules too, but sick bay gives out rubbers. At least they once did. Just got down to here and replied, sorry if someone has already said this. Rubbers are now available on the quarterdeck(Point of exit/entry on naval ship). I have been to one port where you were required to take one as you were leaviing the ship(male or female). Sick bay still gives out no question penicillan shots. And with all the description of life on subs, I have to say Carriers are the same. When the curtain is pulled, it is a force field, and there shall be no opening of the curtain from the outside. Walking through a 96 man berthing space about 15 minutes after the lights go out can be an interesting experience, what with all of the various sound effects. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/onanism-in-the-military/680292.md?page=4)