Former British Military Commander Suggests Steroid Use By Soldiers May Be Admirable in Some Ways

By Millard Baker, Senior Writer, Steroid.com

Colonel Richard Justin Kemp, the former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, has suggested that anabolic steroid use by soldiers can be seen as “admirable” in some ways. The highly decorated officer recognized the high importance placed on physical fitness and conditioning and the requirement that soldiers “go above and beyond themselves.”

“When a soldier is serving, they are carrying extremely heavy weights across difficult terrain for a long time and they have got to be in good physical shape,” Kemp said. “It is an extremely important part of their lives and in some ways, it is admirable that many soldiers will go above and beyond to get themselves in very good physical shape.”

Colonel Kemp completed fourteen operational tours of duty during his almost 30 years in the British Army. This included tours in the Gulf War, Iraq War, Afghanistan War and Bosnian War. He was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2006 and the Queen's Commendation for Bravery in 1994. 

Colonel Kemp made his comments in response to a recent steroid scandal involving the 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery (7 PARA RHA). Eighteen soldiers, including two sergeant majors, tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) as part of the Ministry of Defence's drug testing program.

The British Army has been testing for recreational drugs for several years. Drug urinalyses have sought to detect cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and their metabolites. But only recently have drug screenings specifically targeted anabolic steroids and other PEDs. In June 2013, soldiers were warned that they would be subjected to more sensitive drug screens; they were advised to avoid any sports supplements that were not specifically approved by the British Army.

Many of the 18 soldiers who failed the drug tests have claimed to have unknowingly used a banned substances. Many of the positive test results may have resulted from over-the-counter supplements. Nonetheless, the Ministry of Defence has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to the use of banned drugs. The soldiers could be discharged from military service as a result.

Source:

Farmer, B. (September 17, 2013). 18 soldiers face sack after Army doping test. Retrieved from //www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10315125/18-soldiers-face-sack-after-Army-doping-test.html