Why is it that when you turn 18 you can enlist in the Military and Die for our Country?

Question

But you are not allowed to walk into a bar and have a beer in the Country you can die for.

If the Government says you are responseable enough to decide to join the Military and die for this country, why aren't you responseable enough to have a drink in that same country?

Answer 1

Because you live in the USA and the USA is the most contradictory society on Earth!

The USA has the most censored media in the world while at the same time producing 96% of the worlds pornography.

The USA is the 'Land of the free' but if you are black, or disabled, or sick, or gay, or a woman, or anyone who just thinks equality is a good idea...the government will pass laws to make sure you get ****** up the ***.

That is why my young friend. You are 'cannon fodder' for the like of the Bush family to get rich off the backs off!

That thumb doesn't make it any less true friend.

Answer 2

THAT is a MIGHTY good question!

In fact the military has had a problem with this. I remember a time (the 80s) when, I remember hearing that at certian post the commanders would let their troops under 21 drink at the enlisted clubs on base; because you are right; it doesn't make a lot of sense to tell someone "I trust you with this million dollar weapons system and the lives of our comrades, but not with a beer."

That didn't work out, the Army caught flack from local governements, the local cops took exception, and IIRC it had to be stopped.

The real answer to your question lies in who can, and does join the military.

Not all 18 year olds are equal. In fact the Army recently did a study of their recruiting problem. They found something they did NOT expcect."

"According to Wallace, only 27 percent of youth between the ages of 17 and 24 are eligible for recruiting.

The remaining 73 percent, he said, “are morally, intellectually or physically” unfit for service. “

(Despite what a lot of idiots say, not just anybody can join the Army.)

So you are right... it makes PERFECT sense that if you are responsible enough to join the Military you should also be responsible enough to drink.... the only problem is that for every person between the ages of 17 and 21 that IS responsible enough, mature enough, and intellignent enough to be able to join the military (and presumably responsible enough to drink) there are 3 17 -21 year olds that are NOT responsible enough.

If we let THESE kids drink most of them will promptly go out, get waisted, and wrap daddy's SUV, themselves, their girlfriend, their best buddy, and an innocent 9 year old who just happened to be in the wrong place a the wrong time around a tree... all in one big blazing ball of fire. Trust me, it's been done.

So that's your answer. The folks who ARE responsible enough to join the military are CERTIANLY responsible enough to drink... and you are right, they SHOULD be allowed to drink. Sadly, THEY represent a distinct minority of 17-21 year olds... its the 73% that aren't good enough to get in to the military that are the problem and THEY are why the drinking age won't be lowered.

Personally I think that a military I.D. should be as good as a drivers liscence that says you are 21, but that's just me.

In any case, good question.

Answer 3

well to begin with it isnt about dying for your country it is about making some other poor bastard die for his. i think Patton said that. I think military personnel should be allowed to drink- overseas we could actually and in Lousiana at that time when the age was still 18. Drinking ages are state laws though the feds influence that by threatening to withhold highway money but they do the same thing over seat belts.

Answer 4

I have often asked the very same question. I agree with you.

Maybe if more 18 year olds registered to vote when the turn 18 and then EXERCISED their right to vote, they could surely change the very laws you are questioning!

Answer 5

I have been asking that same question for 18 years now.

The first few years I was in the Navy I was too young to drink, but not too young to go to war.

Answer 6

During 2005, 16,885 people in the U.S. died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes while 897 US military men were killed in 2005 in the Iraq war. Which one is more dangerous?

Answer 7

Because 18-20 year olds don't vote in the numbers that their grandparents do. So the government does not care about them.

Answer 8

I feel you. Good question.....wish I had an answer. But in some bases overseas the drinking age is lowered. Not sure why it's not the same way in the U.S.

and Nebula, you are a moron.

Answer 9

tell me about it...i spent 110 days off of the coast of Iran during the hostage situation only to come back to Cali and get a citation for under aged drinking...fortunately the judge had a sense of humor and only fined me $5 (i had to prove i needed the day off for court)

Answer 10

I read somewhere that it has to do with our brains not developing fully until we are 21.... so how that applies, I don't really know.

Funny that America is the only country that thought of this.

Take a look at this page- it's insane! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_drinking_age