why does the united states allow 18 year olds to go to war for there country but they wont let them drink?

Question

seriosly if a 18 year olds willing to go and possibly die for there country why are there laws against them being able to go to a bar and get a beer. im about to enlist in the marine corps and ill be doin an extreemly dangerous duty for my country but i wont be ablet to drink cause i am not of age in my oppionion that is bull $hit

to an ex marine i understand that choosing to be a marine is not enough one must work there *** off to become one. also i realize until you graduate from boot camp you arnt considered one. my question is more directed tworads i am choosing to take part in this training and i want the title but i have not earned it yet. i am sorry to whomever i may have respected by the first part of the question. but its more why can one die for his country before he can legally drink i guess im asking

Answer 1

All I can tell you is, they reasoned the same as you suggest here in CT. They did change the law to drink and vote while I was in South East Asia wading in mud & bufflo dung at 19.
When I got home I just turned 21. They changed the drinking age back to 21, because there was more teenagers killed in CT on the highways thenever before. Why, because 21 yr olds don't have many friends that are 16 but 18 yr olds do, and bought it for the 16 yr olds and the 16 yr olds gave it to even younger friends. You can get your driver's lic here at 16. So many kids died, in car wrecks, they changed the drinking age back to 21, but they could still vote.....and go to war at 18. I don't know about your State but that's what happened here in CT.

Answer 2

This has been debated to death! I have no answer for you except history shows that 18 year old don't handle booze well.

I am responding more to your attitude. Being an ex-Marine and coming from a family of ex-Marines, I find your attitude in serious need of adjusting. As one of the others has mentioned, "you ain't there yet, boot". You have no idea what is awaiting you. I think it would be better for you to clean up the wiseguy routine and get yourself mentally and physically prepared or you won't make it from the bus station to the base. Believe me, booze is going to the the very, very last thing that will be of concern to you. You also need to practice respect by capitalizing Marine Corp both on paper and when you speak those words.

Answer 3

Your father is just concerned for your well-being. I think you need to talk to each other so that you can end up in a situation which makes you both feel better. You could explain what it is that you want to do and reassure him that you do not intend to make all the mistakes which parents worry about! Agree on some ground rules - it is good manners to let people know when you will be home will also help stop your father worrying about you. Above all remember that your father loves you and that letting go of his 'child' is hard for him.

Answer 4

Good question!!! However, don't think you are the first to seek the answer. Having grown up in the 50's and 60's in the Oakland Bay area, I am reminded of asong written by P.F. Sloan and sang by Barry McGuire called Eve of Destruction. The writer is telling the world of all the things that are wrong. Surely, during the height of the Vietnam war it was puzzling as he iterated "your old enough to kill, but not votin".
He did remind us of the stupid laws that are still in effect throughout so many of our states. It has not been that long ago that the right to vote was finally given to those below the age of 21 and moved to the age of 18. I personally do not believe in drinking at all, but I feel that the age at which one should be able to make that decision should be the same age as we are able to get married, buy tobacco products, and yes, get drafted or volunteer to enter our armed forces. In essence, those who feared that "BIG BROTHER" was watching too close were right. There are many to blame, now though. You can blame MADD for leading the charge and other special interest groups who grease the hands of greedy politicians to insure their agenda's are pushed. Mothers against drunk driving was a good cause when they concentrated on keeping drunk drivers off of the road. I do agree with this, but as they grew in political fatness, they came up with more power than necessary and are sticking their noses into areas they do not belong.

Answer 5

Your opinion is exactly why we won't allow you to drink. You already demonstrate a profound immaturity and we'll be d a m n e d if we're going to give you the liberty to indulge in a powerful and unforgiving drug that will only increase your recklessness and reduce your already unsteady grip on safety-consciousness.
By they way - you're not through Marine Corps training yet, boot, so don't whine about hazards and risks in front of real veterans like myself and my surviving platoon mates. You have to earn the right to do that, and you have a long, long way to go to reach that point - if you ever do, which I doubt: you aren't nearly grown up enough! Praise whatever Diety you pray to that I'm not still on active duty; I'd show you what becomes of maggots who think they're smart when they encounter the Gunny!

Answer 6

One thing has nothing to do with the other. However,age alone should not determine permission to drink. Perhaps an 18-year old who enlists should have more privileges,but should be monitored as to how responsible (s)he is. A license might be an idea, issue a license to the 18-yr,-old and if he gets drunk or causes harm due to drinking,suspend the drinking license

Answer 7

Well, in the military you'll have adult supervision. Sorry.

Maybe they could fix it so if you're in the military, you can drink. How would that work for you?

Really, they tried it, but there were too many 'kids' getting drunk and dying. It just didn't work out. For some of the same reasons though (feelings of immortality among them), they make fine soldiers.

Semper Fi, and good luck.

Answer 8

That is a good question i believe if a man is willing to lay down his life let him also indulge of the fruits there in that he is willing to die for yes that is BUNK...
I also believe that with the discipline should come trust and responsibility enough to know to stay out of trouble when the situation comes...

Answer 9

As many times as that issue has been argued since back when I was 18, back in 1969, there ought to be a MOUNTAIN of literature / verbage recorded somewhere that you could go read without having to bring that bedraggled argument up again. God Bless you.

Answer 10

In other countries you can drink. A 12 year old can have a cup of beer in some countries. -_-