Free Cigar Programs For Deployed Us Service Members Operation Cigars For Warriors And Brand Partnerships

Operation Cigars for Warriors is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to distributing premium cigars and accessories to U.S. service members serving in combat zones. The organization functions as a central hub for collecting and vetting cigar donations, ensuring they reach properly verified active-duty personnel who are currently deployed. According to the provided documentation, the two most requested items by troops overseas are coffee and cigars. The organization has reportedly shipped its one-millionth cigar to deployed troops. The program operates by accepting physical cigar donations from designated donation centers across the United States and shipping them on a per-request basis to service members.

The mission of Operation Cigars for Warriors extends beyond simple distribution. It is described as providing a "welcome moment of calm" in high-stress environments, offering a tangible token of appreciation that can have a profound impact on mental health. While professional medical care is essential, the organization notes that tools to decompress—such as a premium cigar—can be critical for alleviating everyday stress associated with long deployments. Premium cigars are cited as fostering camaraderie and encouraging conversation, helping service members stay connected to comforts reminiscent of home.

The Impact of FDA Regulations on Charitable Donations

A significant portion of the provided source material details the regulatory challenges facing the cigar industry regarding charitable donations to military personnel. Since August 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has enforced regulations that have significantly impacted the ability of cigar manufacturers to donate products. Initially, the ruling prohibited manufacturers from donating or sampling cigars, which raised questions about whether this extended to charitable donations to U.S. troops.

Clarification was sought by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA, 50th District), a Marine Corps reservist who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In a letter to the FDA, Hunter expressed concerns regarding the "possible prohibition on the charitable donations of tobacco products, such as cigars, to service members." He emphasized that these donations are a time-honored tradition that improves morale and relieves stress, arguing it was unacceptable to prohibit the distribution of tobacco products to service members fighting to protect the rights that may now be restricted.

The FDA’s response, as reported in the source material, confirmed the interpretation that the regulation bans cigar manufacturers from donating cigars to soldiers. The regulation was originally introduced during the Obama Administration with the stated goal of preventing children from being negatively impacted by tobacco use. However, the re-interpretation to ban donations to troops has drawn criticism, as these donations were previously a common practice by many cigar companies to boost morale.

Brand Partnerships and Donation Mechanisms

Due to these FDA regulations, manufacturers can no longer directly donate cigars in the volume they previously did. Consequently, organizations like Operation Cigars for Warriors have become vital intermediaries. The documentation highlights specific cigar companies that support the mission through partnerships, donations, and simplified purchase mechanisms for consumers who wish to contribute.

Founders Cigar Company

Founders Cigar Company is a veteran-owned brand with a personal connection to the military. Brian Schmittdiel, a co-founder of the company, is a US Air Force veteran who served from 2001 to 2005, including multiple deployments. He continues to serve as a US Air Force reservist. Having experienced deployments and received care packages with cigars during his service, Schmittdiel sought a way to continue sending cigars "downrange" despite the regulatory hurdles.

Founders Cigar Company partners with Operation Cigars for Warriors as both a donation center and a manufacturing partner. To facilitate contributions from the public, Founders offers a "simplified purchase" option on their website. This allows individuals to buy products specifically to directly contribute to the organization's efforts. By purchasing through Founders, consumers can ensure their donation supports the shipping and distribution of cigars to deployed troops. Founders views this partnership as a way to pass on the tradition of receiving cigars during deployment to the current generation of service members.

Deployment Brands

Deployment Brands is described as a veteran co-owned, premium small-batch cigar and accessory company. Their mission is centered on creating exceptional cigars while giving back to veterans, active-duty military, and first responders. The company operates on a model where every purchase helps support these groups and the charitable organizations that serve them.

While Deployment Brands does not appear to run a specific "free sample" program for consumers, their business model is built around supporting the military community. They import high-quality cigars from the Dominican Republic and Nicaragua to facilities in Tampa, ensuring freshness. They also offer a subscription club service where members receive cigars shipped free to their door on a schedule. This model ensures a steady flow of premium products which supports the industry that ultimately fuels donations to organizations like Cigars for Warriors.

Operational Logistics of Cigars for Warriors

The logistics of getting cigars to troops are meticulous, ensuring quality control and adherence to regulations. The organization relies on a network of volunteers and event coordinators who staff events across the United States to collect donations.

Vetting and Verification

To ensure cigars reach legitimate active-duty service members in combat zones, a rigorous verification process is in place. Requests from troops are submitted through the organization's website. These requests are reviewed by an Active Duty Major in Operations who verifies two key criteria: 1. Active Duty Status: The requester must be active duty military. 2. Deployment Status: The requester must be currently deployed.

The organization explicitly does not send cigars to contractors. The documentation notes that contractors "can order the Cubans or whatever they wanna order" independently. This strict vetting ensures that the limited resources are reserved for active-duty personnel in combat zones or on long-term floats.

Packaging and Shipping

Once verified, the cigars are prepared for shipment. Quality control is a priority; the organization takes care to avoid sending "bad cigars," specifically checking for issues like tobacco beetles. Before shipping, cigars are dry-boxed and then placed in coolers with Boveda packs to maintain humidity. Boveda is noted as a generous corporate partner that provided support early in the organization's history.

The volume of shipments is substantial. The organization reportedly ships approximately 450 to 500 boxes per month, distributed almost every week. Once the cigars arrive, they belong to the service member who requested them. The documentation notes that the majority of troops share these cigars with their squad or platoon, further enhancing the morale-boosting effect of the donation.

How Consumers Can Get Involved

While the primary recipients of these programs are deployed service members, consumers interested in supporting the cause or accessing related products have specific avenues available.

Donating Cigars

Individuals can donate physical cigars to designated donation centers. Founders Cigar Company, for example, acts as a donation center where individuals can send cigars to be forwarded to Operation Cigars for Warriors.

Purchasing for Donation

For those who prefer a direct financial contribution or wish to purchase specific products to support the cause, the "simplified purchase" option offered by partners like Founders Cigar Company is the primary method. This functions similarly to a purchase but directs the proceeds or product toward the charity.

No-Cost Requests for Service Members

The "free" aspect of the program is strictly limited to verified active-duty deployed service members. These individuals can request cigars at no cost to themselves by submitting a request through the Operation Cigars for Warriors website. The request process is managed by military personnel to ensure authenticity.

Commercial Purchases

Deployment Brands offers a commercial purchasing experience for the general public. While not free, they provide premium cigars and accessories. Their club membership offers a scheduled delivery service, which functions as a subscription model rather than a trial or sample program.

Summary of Regulatory and Industry Context

The cigar industry's relationship with the military has been altered by FDA oversight. The "Deeming Rule" extended the FDA's authority to all tobacco products, including premium cigars, and established regulatory pathways that apply to manufacturers. The specific ban on manufacturer donations to charities, including those supporting troops, is a point of contention within the industry.

The sources highlight that prior to 2016, manufacturers were a major source of cigar donations. The FDA's re-interpretation of the rule to include charitable donations has shifted the burden of donation to individual consumers and smaller organizations. Operation Cigars for Warriors has stepped in to fill this void, relying on individual donors and industry partners to maintain the supply chain.

The organization has managed to ship one million cigars despite these "disruptive pending regulations." This achievement is attributed to the "generous contributions of individual donors who send cigars by mail" and the "dedicated efforts of volunteer event coordinators."

Conclusion

Operation Cigars for Warriors represents a vital intersection of the cigar industry and military support services. It provides a regulated, vetted channel for delivering premium cigars to active-duty service members in combat zones, addressing a specific request from troops for stress relief and morale. The program operates within a complex regulatory environment, specifically navigating FDA restrictions that have curtailed direct manufacturer donations.

Key partners like Founders Cigar Company and Deployment Brands support the mission through various means, including acting as donation centers, manufacturing partners, and offering simplified purchase options for the public. Founders Cigar Company, founded by a veteran, maintains a direct link to the military experience, while Deployment Brands integrates support for veterans and first responders into its core business model.

For U.S. consumers, these programs offer a way to support deployed troops through purchasing or donating. However, the "free sample" aspect is exclusively reserved for verified deployed military personnel, distinguishing this initiative from typical consumer sample programs.

Sources

1. Deployment Brands
2. Founders Cigar Co. - Cigars for Warriors
3. Premium Cigars - Supporting Cigars for Warriors
4. Famous Smoke - Cigar Advisor: Cigars for Warriors