dont u think its stupid?

Question

that if an 18 yr old went into the army on behalf of protecting his country, his country still wouldnt give him a drink!!!! i never really thoguht of this but it makes you wonder

Answer 1

I have a different flavor on this subject. I hope you're not looking for someone to agree with you else I'm answering in vain.

Yes, a Soldier protects his country and does pay the ultimate sacrifice that should come beyond their years. However, our country and our military must impose laws that keep the Soldier in good protection as well. Although this does not apply to all 18-year-olds, it is statistically proven that recklessness prevails in that age bracket. The military must, by all means, adapt laws that promote Soldier safety and well being, especially outside of the battlefield. I mean look at it this way, what good is an army if that army is not fundamentally and disciplinarily sound prior to the fight? We can't have Soldiers dying at parties, beating each other up, getting locked up, and dying on roads and have them missing from the battlefield.

I teach AIT students on a daily basis and witness the amount of stupidity produced due to alchohol abuse regularly (now that IET Soldiers are allowed to consume alchohol). Mind you, these Soldiers are of age to drink, but if you ask me, I think 21 is still too young.

I understand your position but at the same time that position is not for the greater good of our country, let alone our Army.

God bless.

Answer 2

Been true throughout most of the 20th century. Not stupid since they lowered it to 18 in most states for a time in the 70's but raised it back up since the teenage drunk drivers were killing them selves and others at a high rate. The Marine Corps has a policy of allowing troops under age by state laws to drink on base but they also won't let them leave drunk.
No state had a rule that military people could drink at any earlier age then anyone else-the drinking age was lowered to 18 when the voting age was dropped from 21 to 18 in most states and as noted above went back to 21. Military bases are federal property and state laws do not apply that is why some bases will allow it and some won't; it was a decision by HQMC to drop it on base for Marines but they are not allowed to leave the base if they are drinking.

Answer 3

Given the fact that most car accidents are caused by unexperienced teenagers who can't understand what drinking and driving cause... the law is only out there to protect them.. still they find drugs or other things as a source for rebellion.. it only makes you think that they can't understand the concept of law and following rules when they are serious.. yet the best way to grow up is a reality check... go to war... then you'll grow up. There you will find that other things matter most than a beer.. even though we all have thought of it being the first thing we get when we first come back home... next to sex lol

Answer 4

I fail to see the connection between the two, unless you are looking upon the consumption of alcoholic beverages as some sort of rite of passage into adulthood. It isn't. I could legally drink in New York State at 18 before they forced a change in their law in the Carter administration so they wouldn't lose Federal Highway dollars. And, by the age of 25 I was a real problem drinker. So much so that I gave up drinking entirely. Haven't had one for over forty three years now. And I think it helped me be a better man in the Navy for the rest of my career.

Answer 5

till around 71 or 81 u were allowed to drink at 18 with a military id but then that changed, i find it kinda stupid but being married to it i see the alcholism associated with the army in everyone young and old alike and whether they are underage or not, so no i don't find it stupid. Too many guys get in a lot of trouble because of the military culture, i wouldn't mind a lawful order banning the consumption of more than such amout of alcohol especially for officers and higher nco's who have command presence to think of. The are order not to have it while deployed why not extend it to home. If they can order mine to wear a seatbelt to protect the training they have in him they can do the same thing with alchol.

Answer 6

I see both sides of this. On the one hand, I absolutely think it's stupid that adults who are legally capable of both killing and dying for their country are legally unable to consume alcohol. For a long time, it was accepted practice to just look the other way when they did it. Nowadays, there's a lot of political pressure from on high to stop underage drinking because most 18-year olds have grown up without experiencing alcohol and don't know (or refuse to) how to control themselves.

On the other hand, as an officer and leader, I know what a huge pain in the *** it is when a bunch of Privates/Airmen/Seamen/Marines decide to get drunk and tossed in jail or, even worse, hurt. From a disciplinary standpoint, I'm glad more of them don't drink. But the libertarian in me absolutely believes they should be allowed to.

By the way, in other countries, the drinking age on military posts is generally the same as the country's. Except in Korea now, because USFK had too much trouble with it.

Answer 7

Here is what people who are not affiliated with the military do not understand: Active Duty Soldiers are on duty 24/7. Even when they are in their barracks asleep, when they are eating breakfast, even when they are in the bathroom. At ANY time, they can be called upon to pick up their weapon and be ready for combat or combat training. Now, understanding that....can anyone really think that drinking alcohol while using a deadly firearm is a good idea? Are YOU allowed to get drunk while YOU are on duty at your job? I didn't think so. The US Military is an elite group of men and women who do not necessarily follow the rules of everyday society. They follow a HIGHER protocol. It is one of the reasons not EVERYONE is able to become a Soldier.

Answer 8

Maybe his country wants people to be responsible when they drink. Why is drinking alcohol so important? The military has very strict rules on drinking and driving. This 18 year old should think about his career 1st.

Answer 9

I always thought it was pretty stupid... My dad always use to get mad about it to and say that your old enough to die for your country but cant buy a drink in your country, but its the law and we can't really do anything about it..

I think the main reason they do it is because most people start drivin at 18 and they dont want them to start drinkin at 18 as well... so they give us 3 more years to make sure that we dont drink and drive.

Answer 10

I've always thought we should raise the driving age to 20 and lower the drinking age to 18 so people would have a chance to learn how to manage their alcohol consumption before driving but it will never happen.