Lance Corporal Aaron Mann, 26, became severely intoxicated during a highly sensitive overseas deployment in December 2024 and lost a bag containing a loaded 9mm pistol and 30 rounds of ammunition. A court-martial heard that the loss could have had "massive operational consequences", though local civilians returned the bag hours later. The incident prompted the Assistant Judge Advocate General to condemn the military's "drinking culture", which he stated is having "a significant detrimental impact upon operational effectiveness" across the Armed Forces.

Mann pleaded guilty to breaching an alcohol ban and was sentenced to 12 months in a military prison followed by discharge from the Army. The presiding judge noted frustration with the frequency of alcohol-related disciplinary matters reaching court-martial, emphasising that the chain of command needs to address the prevalence of excessive drinking across all three services. The Army subsequently reaffirmed that soldiers will face disciplinary action where alcohol misuse results in lapses in standards of behaviour.