If you are old enough to join the military, shouldn't you be old enought to buy a beer?

Answer 1

Young man, I asked this in 1970 when I was 19 in vietnam. Back then you couldn't even vote either.

YES

Answer 2

As an officer, I dread the thought of my 18-year olds drinking legally (or illegally for that matter).

However, as an American citizen I believe in individual rights free of government meddling and punishing people AFTER they screw up, not before. I strongly agree that anyone old enough to join the military is old enough to enjoy a beer. It's up to our leadership, both officers and NCOs, to make sure they're enjoying it responsibly. This you-must-be-21-to-drink mentality is especially irritating when you're stationed in a country where the legal drinking age is lower. In Korea and Japan, it's 20. In Europe it's lower. Explain to me the logic of telling our people they can't drink because they're 20, while it's 100% legal 10 feet from the main gate.

People don't learn to be responsible unless you give them responsibility.

PS. How did I know that some assholes would get on here to Bush-bash? Honestly people, grow up!

Answer 3

No. I used to make the same arguments when I was underage too. However, I have seen too many underage drinkers who caused more heartache than they deserved. While only 15% of our drivers are under the age of 21, 35% of all DUIs and alcohol related accidents are caused by underage drinkers. That should tell you something.

A 2 year old has enough finger strength to pull a trigger - does that mean they should be allowed to own firearms? The point being, that just because you are old enough to handle something doesn't mean you should have a right to it - or that it is in society's best interest to give you that right.

Answer 4

YES YES YES , old enough to die for your country but not old enough to drink , i dont think they should lower the drinking age , i think they should raise the age to join the military , give kids more time to mature before signing a contracted the will lead desert war , maybe after they have matured some they will chose a new profession and wont be lead in to a war thats is going no where I REALLY DISLIKE YOU GEORGE W

Answer 5

hmm.. i live in Europe in my country ppl are allowed to drink alcohol and buy tobacco at the age of 18, thats the age when they can join the army too. anyways i think that setting an age when people can official buy spirits and tobacco does not pervent 15-16 yr olds from drinking and/or smoking, coz almost every second higschool student does it on a regular basis and 70% of the students have tried those things out till the age of 16-17 anyways:/

Answer 6

For a long time you were able to drink on military bases at age 18, then anti-alcohol groups complained and now they have to adhere to whatever the legal drinking age is in that state. I don't know how strictly it's enforced though.

Raising the enlistment age would only deny some people their only means of paying for their education.

Answer 7

That line of thinking has no correlation. Children from age six carry arms and shoot a gun as well as anyone and they do take up arms in foreign wars as a matter of necessity. They also die like anyone else.
http://www.ginie.org/ginie-crises-links/childsoldiers/human.html

Underage drinking is illegal for a reason. Alcohol is addictive. Society and the laws protect the young generations from early alcoholism. Young people are very irresponsible with drinking and alcoholic behavior. The greatest risk to society from delinquent drinking is on the roadways. Young people (and lots of old farts too) drink and drive. Many innocent people are killed on the roadways due to drunk drivers.
http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/rpo990/
http://www.madd.org/stats

Answer 8

You should be able to but not being old enough never stopped me. At the outer limits, the club/restaurant across from the barracks,they asked for ID but the wristbands were very easy to get off and switch. Plus at the parties we had in the barracks i was never asked for my ID, even by the NCOs, so in short it doesnt really matter what age you are.

Answer 9

Yes but if you saw how young soliders act with a beer you would be glad that cant drink. Shot we cant even keep people of age under control after a couple beers...haha

Answer 10

My first reaction is to say of course you should be. However, on more careful thought, it is apparent that the military needs soldiers who are willing to risk their lives and willing to kill and ready to act instantly on insufficient information. Fortunately, these are common attributes in 18-20 year olds. Unfortunately, those attributes are made worse with alcohol and are very likely to result in death if the person drinks and drives.