Giving cardboard in return for cash isn't some complex scheme to screw troops out of their 85 cents. Logistically speaking, transporting a bunch of quarters to and from a deployed area is, to put it bluntly, a heavy waste of time. While a pocket full of quarters may not seem like much, having to stock every single cash register would be a headache. So AAFES, the only commercial service available to troops, decided in November 2001 to forgo actual coins in favor of cardboard credit.

The AAFES coins aren't legal tender. They are, essentially, gift certificates valid only at AAFES establishments. If troops can manage to hold on to their cardboard coin collection throughout a deployment, they can exchange the coins for actual money at any non-deployed AAFES customer service desk. Occasionally, AAFES runs promotions that gave double-value to troops returning their pogs — but troops who decline to cash in might be getting the best value in the end.

The weirdest thing about the AAFES pogs is the collectors' community that has grown from it. Coin collectors everywhere have been going crazy for our AAFES pogs. On eBay, you can typically find a set of mint-condition paper coins going for ridiculous prices. Of course, like every collector's item, complete sets and the older coins go for much more.

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Director Kim Ellis said the AAD has embarked upon a broad suite of activities to improve safety, health, and wellbeing outcomes for expeditioners.

“We are introducing a range of initiatives to meet our duty of care to provide safe, healthy and productive workplaces, and one of these initiatives relates to the management of drugs and alcohol in our research stations,” he said.

“The AAD policy recognises the need to create a comfortable and safe community atmosphere on research stations, with the ability to have a drink while engaging socially and to celebrate special occasions.”

The policy sets the volume of alcoholic beverages that expeditioners can take to Antarctica as:

• 7 cans of full-strength beer per week

• 1.5 bottles of wine or champagne per week

• ½ bottle of spirits per week

Homebrewing on the station will no longer be permitted due to an inability to safely manage consumption, hygiene standards, and alcohol content.

Ship-based activities and resupply operations will continue to be alcohol-free.

The new policy will come into effect next summer season and aims to reduce the risk of harm from alcohol-related disease, incidents or accidents.

The new policy was developed by a review committee including polar medical specialists, Antarctic scientists, Station Leaders, Work Health and Safety advisers, workplace safety representatives, and Drug and Alcohol policy experts.

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