Don't you have to admit that its silly you have to be 21 to drink but at 18 or even 16 you can join the Army

Question

Air Force,Navy,or Marines??

What are your opinions how cna this be justified.

Answer 1

Yes its stupid in Germany you can buy Beer at 16 Liquor at 18 & they dont have a real big drinking proplem I guess its no big deal when you can.People saying the Army isnt for drinking I dont know what Army you are in I know the Infantry takes there drinking seriously the most Physicaly fit alchoholics in the world

Answer 2

The drinking age when I was a kid was 18 years. You where allowed to drink low powered beer (3.2%) at 18 and high powered beer 6%+ and hard liquor at 21.

Around 1980 to 1983 Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the press started a crusade against drunk driving. Some states changed their laws to 21, while others kept it at 18. It wasn't until the US Congress made the drinking age 21 and they cut off highway tax money to the states that did not change their drinking laws that the country went to 21 to drink legally.

So no it is not fair that a soldier cannot drink. In the USA you are not considered a legal adult until your 18th birthday. So if you wish to joint the military before that, they probably will not accept you. You cannot even sign a rental contract at Blockbuster or own a credit card until that age as well.

Answer 3

You cannot join the army at 16, but you can at 17 with your parents signing over their rights to the military.
It is silly that you can shoot a weapon and die for your country, but you are not responsible enough to drink, but drinking has nothing to do with our military training, and is not really related to the look of a professional soldier.
Some soldiers mature early by coming into the military, but drinking usually impairs their judgment, and they might have a negative effect on their careers. Also, a young soldier is usually taken under the wing of a mature commission officer, that will ensure the soldier will make the best decisions during combat, but that commission officer cannot train that soldier to handle alcohol.
It is a silly law if you look at the fact that we signed up to give our lives our country, but the military will never encourage drinking or smoking. That is not related to what we do, and our image as competent, responsible, professional soldiers, and leaders.

Answer 4

This argument has been going on since at least World War II, maybe longer. Heck, I remember the day I got home from Vietnam. Climbed off the bus in my class A's, parpatrooper boots shining, couple of rows of medals. Walked across the street to a bar and got carded. 4 months short of my 21st birthday. wouldn't serve me.

I'll tell you something else that was a problem until 1971 (some of you old-timers may remember this). In a lot of states you couldn't vote until you were 21. Boys were going to Vietnam and returning and still couldn't vote. It took a Constitutional admendment in 1971 to rectify this situation.

Answer 5

This question is so redundant; it's been around since the Vietnam War.

Simply put, it's the law.

Contact your Senators or Governors to initiate action to change the law.

But, with my living here in South Korea, I can assure you that there are numerous underage drinkers here in South Korea, who decide to break the law and drink anyway. Their belief is simply, "this doesn't apply to me."

Wishful but disoriented thinking. They are old enough to join the military, but yet cannot handle a simple issue like obeying the law.

Does this show maturity? No, it doesn't.

Till the current laws are changed, the current laws stand firm on this issue.

Answer 6

okay I'm 17 and enlisting real soon(personal choice)....the drinking age should not be lowered....we got a bunch of idiots (teens) that will get drunk and put everyone else in the mother at risk (ie: drunk driving) if the age were lowered...(even thought it still happens now with the legal age at 21) The military on the other hand is completely voluntary, without putting anyone in harms way (but them self's) to protect the retards back at home getting drunk. Your question + statement is completely IRONIC. Well that's my personal opinion....as a 17 year old who cant drink yet buts enlisting.....

Answer 7

I agree, it used to be worse. The original constitution w/o amendments had the voting age at 21 with draft at 18. At least they justified that part. But still, this is a bit ironic.

Answer 8

I have always had a problem with this too. I can't figure out why you are old enough to put yourself at risk of death at 18 but not old enought to put yourself at risk of getting drunk?

Maybe because so many pre-21 year olds are putting themselves and others at risk by drinking. Although I have a problem with that idea too.

Answer 9

The drinking age was 18 until the rate of alcohol related accidents spiked.

Answer 10

You cannot join any service at 16. 17 with parental approval. But I totally agree with you. If your old enough to serve your country and die for your country you are old enough to drink. The drinking age in our country is a farce.