Why do you have to be 21 to buy a beer, but only 17 to join the army?

Answer 1

It's a matter of maturity. At 17 you need to learn responsibility and discipline. They figure by 21 they can't stop you from being a complete moron.

Answer 2

Because thats the law, way it has been for many years. And this question, and debate gets started daily, it won't change. Its our society that came up with the arbitrary 21 rule. Not the Army, In the Army you could drink at 18, when most of the states where 18, then it wasnt an issue, so blame states and the federal gov, not the military.

PS. Hey Mordent, these changes took place many many years ago, not on Bush's watch.

Answer 3

HAHAHA as quickly as upon a time, back interior the 80s and beforehand while the ingesting age replaced into 18 for beer in lots of states, a number of them allowed Servicemembers who have been 17 to purchase beer. absolutely everyone 17 twelve months previous dependents might prepare the Hajji interior the 7-11 our based identity enjoying cards and that all of them theory we've been troops and acquired it to us. We extensively utilized to have beer machines interior the barracks advertising 2.3% beer - all people who replaced into 17 and interior the army might desire to drop seventy 5 cents interior the gadget and get some chilly brew ... yet those machines have been all lengthy surpassed via '87 or '88. yet different than that - 30 freaking years in the past - no, you get to attend until you're 21 if stateside. Please don;t connect my military just to pass distant places once you turn 18 as a manner to purchase beer.

Answer 4

Years ago, the 60's & 70's actually, the same question was brought up. "Why can I be drafted at 18, but not drink, nor vote, 'til I'm 21?" The answer was that the US Government changed the legal age for voting and drinking to 18. But, they found that with the age lowered for drinking there were more people under the age of 18 that were able to get alcohol, in one form or the other, and were getting killed, or killing others, in alcohol related instances(ARI). So, the 'powers that be' reversed their decision on the legal age for drinking and reinstated the 21 years of age stipulation. Unfortunately, it's going to tkae a lot of persuasion to get them to change it back. If, and when, it ever happens, the answer will have to be better education on the repercussions of drinking and driving.

Answer 5

Because, back in the 70's, when you could buy beer, wine and liquor at age 18, a lot of idiots between 18 and 21 killed themselves in massive numbers on the roads and highways of this country. In other words, they were found to be too irresponsible.

Answer 6

Were you drunk as you wrote this. You asked this same question a couple days ago and it was answered. Do you want people to agree and say yes 17 year olds should be able to buy beer.

That is the law. Just like any other law we have to follow or face the repercustions. Just deal with it and move on.

Suck it up and move on soldier.

Answer 7

MADD pushed the legislation through due to the high number of DUI fatalities of drivers between 18-21.

Answer 8

i think it was the driking and driving factor i mean a can of beer in the hands of a tank driver could be deadly and it seems the younger you are the more likely they are to drink and drive because they are old enought to know the consequences but not old enought to accept the consequences

Answer 9

I've asked this question for years, how can I be old enough to die for my country,but not old enough to drink? It never made sense to me either. We were allowed to drink on base when I was in the military in the '70s, some were responsible with it some were not. Sounds like most adults ........right?

Answer 10

Because even people over 21 get stupid on alcohol and if you are immature then you would tend to get even more stupid and make even more bad decisions.

At least in the service you have supervision.