Gen. Dan Caine credited select vices as fuel for troops who were deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Epic Fury in a lighthearted moment during a Pentagon press briefing on Wednesday.
Caine said coffee, energy drinks, and nicotine helped service members as they navigated military operations in Iran. The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff offered a glimpse into the daily reality for service members operating in high-stress conditions.
“Along the way, we consume more than 6 million meals, and by my estimate, more than 950,000 gallons of coffee, 2 million energy drinks, and a lot of nicotine,” Caine said. “But I am not saying that we have a problem.”
The comments were delivered as Caine and War Secretary Pete Hegseth gave an update on the war in Iran after the United States and Iran reached an agreement on a two-week ceasefire an hour before President Donald Trump‘s 8 p.m. Tuesday deadline.
Caine described how combat conditions can be unforgiving but emphasized soldiers’ bravery and commitment to the mission as they work long shifts in a high-stress environment.
“This is gritty and unforgiving business,” he said. “It’s chaotic, it’s hot, it’s dark, it’s unpredictable, and there’s always unknowns, and our people proudly walked into those unknowns and continue forward and through it all.”
The Military Health System published a study in 2024 that found nicotine use among service members is common, but still characterized the vice as “an important threat to the health and readiness.”
The study found that 25% to 38% of service members report using nicotine or tobacco. However, the use of cigarettes is less common, with 11% to 18% of service members reporting smoking cigarettes.
The MHS said tobacco or nicotine use is much higher among younger service members and decreases with age, as well as being more common among male service members.
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As Caine disclosed troops’ caffeine and nicotine dependence, he also praised their commitment to operational effectiveness.
“We struck more than 13,000 targets, and along with our Gulf partners, we’ve thus far intercepted 1700 ballistic missiles and one-way attack drones, defending our forces and our partners in the civilian population,” Caine said. “We remain ready to do so, should the need arise.”
