Why isnt a 19 year old enough to buy alcohol, but IS old enough to die in the military?

Question

I mean, they should change the drinking age to 18 or 19. U can't even get beer or liquor at that age, but you can get a free plane tickets to iraq or wherever uncle sam wants to send u if ur in the military. Shouldnt they change the drinking age?

Answer 1

You're right. An 18 year old can't have a beer but he or she can take a machine gun and blow someones brains out.

The drinking age was 18 when I was younger. Then it became 19, then it became 21. The US has the highest drinking age in the world. In most countries it is 18. Some countries have no drinking age at all.

Answer 2

Drinking age for military is the same as where you live. So if you are stationed in Germany and the age is 18, you may drink. maturity begats maturity. So if you are really mature enough to drink, you wold not use this arguement as joining the military lets you live by the laws where you live. Kind of a catch=22 ain't it. We had a drinking age of 18 for many years and too many died while driving and took their own lives. So if 18 years can drink can 12 years have sex and 14 have pot??

Answer 3

I wish I had an easy answer to this. I believe that underage drinking is such a problem in this country that the only way we can even start to handle the situation is to put a limit on the drinking age. My son is in the military, that was HIS choice to join and if need be fight for this great country. I have never heard him complain that he was not able to buy a drink but was able to die for his country.
Is alcohol that important that we need to lower the age to buy and consume it. Are there not enough problems that these young adults face today without adding a lower age to consume something that more Americans die or have problems with?
I ask you this....How important is this to young adults? It is a life or death issue? I think not. I have 5 children....three of them are of legal drinking age. Not one of them buys alcohol on a regular basis, nor did they complain when there were not of legal age that they were not able to buy it.
I think maybe the priority might be that we not let things be so "accessible".

Of course....that is just my opinion.

Answer 4

I've always thought it wasn't the best thing in a way. I mean, if 18 is old enough to be sent off to war, then why can't the person drink if they so choose? They may just need a drink! Personally, I don't drink but that's my preference. I've always thought that the drinking age should be changed to 18 & the "go off to war age" should be 21. It should be switched!

Answer 5

Good question!!

Actually I neve though about it, but you are absolutely right..How can the goverment say that we are to young at 18 to be responsible in accordance to out bodies, but we are mature enough to die for our country.

I think should do one or the other lower the drinking age or raise the age of enlisting

Answer 6

Or maybe raise the minimum age for enlistment into the military

Answer 7

Move to Australia! Legal age is 18. WOOHOO!

Answer 8

I agree whats worse than see death killing people and seeing ur friends killed ... and you cant drink .......... I am saying this even though I never drink and dont agree with it..... but somethings .... you got to say something against

Answer 9

apparently not old enough to be responsible for your actions- or life. since the military pretty much governs everything you do, it's okay.... it's "guidance".

Answer 10

I think they should change the enlisted age instead....