Currently 31 years total military service as of last 01/03 (4 years active USAF and 27 years Air National Guard), and they haven't kicked me out so far (am typing on a laptop at my June UTA right now). Just won a bid on a box of the USAF cigars, but have yet to smoke one. Letting them age a while in my coolidor. Knew they were made by Don Kiki and would probably be a medium-bodied smoke (I actually like a cigar as full-bodied as I can find, but the USAF band sold me). I don't believe I would modify them at all, i.e., putting the bands on other cigars. You bought them for the reason you bought them, and to me the thought/purpose is what is important (as long as the cigar is acceptable, and I think Don Kiki is). Just my thoughts.