It was reported yesterday that 11 soldiers out of Ft Bliss had “ingested an unknown substance” that resulted in all of them ending up in medical. It turns out the substance they ingested was ethylene glycol, otherwise known as anti-freeze. Somehow they convinced themselves it was alcohol. This is from the Army Times:

Eleven soldiers hospitalized at Fort Bliss, Texas, believed they were drinking alcohol on the last day of a 10-day field exercise, but instead ingested antifreeze, according to toxicology tests and an initial inquiry breifed to reporters Friday.

The troops were admitted to a hospital Thursday morning — two in critical condition — after they exhibited symptoms consistent with the consumption of ethylene glycol, better known as antifreeze.

Alcohol ends up in the field more than you would think.  It was pretty easy to get even in Afghanistan. I would find empty bottles all over the place on the FOB I was on. General Order number 1 prohibits the military from imbibing, but not the civilian agencies. If a GI could strike up the right friendship they can get a supply. It was also pretty common for guys to get Listerine bottles filled with hooch.

All that said, I don’t know how this brain trust ended up drinking anti-freeze.