Throughout history, the image is a familiar one: a victorious general, a weary soldier, or a contemplative statesman, often with a cigar in hand. Beyond mere habit, the cigar has held a profound and symbolic place in military culture for centuries. It has served as a tool for comfort, a currency of camaraderie, and a ritual marking the ultimate moments of conflict and peace.

The relationship between cigars and the army is a rich tapestry woven from threads of tradition, psychology, and shared experience.

A Rite of Passage and a Taste of Home

In the grueling reality of military life, especially during deployments and wars, small comforts become monumental. A cigar was more than a smoke; it was a tangible piece of normalcy.

• A Moment of Respite: In the trenches of World War I or on a Pacific island during World War II, lighting a cigar offered a few precious minutes of escape. The ritual of cutting, lighting, and slowly smoking provided a mental break from the chaos and terror of combat. It was a forced pause, a moment to steady the nerves, reflect, and gather courage for what came next.

• A Taste of the Familiar: For soldiers far from home, often in harsh and unfamiliar environments, the taste of a cigar—particularly one from their homeland—was a powerful sensory connection to the world they were fighting to protect. It was a small, smoky reminder of home, family, and the life that awaited them.

The Currency of Camaraderie

Perhaps the cigar's most significant role in the military has been as a social catalyst. The act of sharing a cigar is an ancient one, signifying trust, respect, and fellowship.

• Building Bonds: Sharing cigars among unit members or between officers and enlisted men broke down formal barriers. The communal experience of smoking together fostered conversation, storytelling, and the building of the unbreakable bonds that are essential for unit cohesion and trust in battle.

• Celebrating Victory: The iconic image of Winston Churchill flashing his "V for Victory" sign with a cigar clamped firmly in his mouth is etched into history. Cigars have long been the default method for celebrating a hard-won battle, a promotion, or the birth of a child back home. They were passed out to mark success and shared joy amidst the prevailing atmosphere of hardship.

• Honoring the Fallen: In a more somber tradition, cigars have also been used to honor comrades who did not return. Veterans will often smoke a cigar on the anniversary of a battle or to remember lost friends, turning the act into a personal memorial service.

Historical Moments Forged in Smoke

Specific conflicts cemented the cigar's place in military lore:

• The Napoleonic Wars: The habit of cigar smoking spread throughout Europe from Spain and was picked up by British officers during the Peninsular Campaign. They brought the custom home, making it a staple of officer life.

• The American Civil War: Both Union and Confederate officers were prolific cigar smokers. General Ulysses S. Grant was famously seldom without one, often smoking multiple cigars a day during campaigns. It was said that after his victory at the Battle of Appomattox Court House, he smoked a cigar while drafting the generous terms of surrender offered to General Robert E. Lee.

• World War II: Cigars were included in soldier rations, officially acknowledging their role in morale. Victory in Europe (V-E Day) and Victory over Japan (V-J Day) saw unprecedented sales and celebrations where cigars were center stage. Photographs of sailors kissing nurses in Times Square often show onlookers waving cigars in jubilation.

The Modern Tradition

While smoking is less common in today's military due to health concerns and regulations, the cigar still holds a revered place.

• Special Occasions: Promotion ceremonies, retirements, and weddings remain prime occasions for breaking out a box of fine cigars. It is a tradition that connects today's soldiers to the long, unbroken line of warriors who came before them.

• Veterans' Gatherings: For many veterans, getting together with old squad mates isn't complete without sharing a smoke and reliving old stories, continuing the camaraderie forged decades ago.

Conclusion

The bond between cigars and the military is not merely about tobacco. It is about the human need for comfort, connection, and ritual in the face of extreme adversity. The cigar served as a tool for mental fortitude, a symbol of brotherhood, and a way to mark the most profound moments of a soldier's life—both the triumphs and the tragedies. It is a tradition of smoke and camaraderie that, though evolved, continues to endure.