Burning Question: Does the military try to suppress the sex drive of recruits?

It's a rumor that dates back decades: To keep the sexual appetites of recruits in check so they can focus on basic training, the military services sneak saltpeter into the food served to new soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.

Jeff Schogol, the "Rumor Doctor" at Stars and Stripes, actually went to the trouble of getting the services to respond to this legend. You probably won't be surprised to learn that he got a series of strenuous denials.

"The rigors of basic training alone are sufficient to keep the urges at abeyance," an Army spokesman reported. "Keep in mind that it's not just recruits that dine in our recruit messing facilities but all authorized patrons," the Marines said. "Though the rumor persists in some imaginations, for the Air Force it has never been true," a service spokesman said. The Navy likewise quashed the legend. And the Defense Logistics Agency said there's "no way" sexual suppressants are added to any meals served to the troops.

Will that be enough to kill this rumor for good? Doubtful.

Are new recruits secretly given saltpeter?
(Stars and Stripes)

Burning Question is a recurring feature that looks at key issues and compelling stories being explored at other publications and social media sites.