Do you think Soldiers should be exempt from state laws that are more restrictive than federal laws while on a military installation?

2016-03-11T13:58:14-05:00

As of 1 JAN 2016, US Army Soldiers must be 21 years old to purchase, possess or consume tobacco products in the state of Hawaii or on military installations in the state. This includes sales at exchanges and commissaries. This action was taken to comply with Hawaii state smoking laws.

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Army to comply with Hawaii tobacco law... - U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii | Facebook

Army to comply with Hawaii tobacco lawSCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii (Dec. 30, 2015) -The U.S. Army in Hawaii has enacted a policy effective Jan. 1, 2016,...

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Mar 11 at 2016 2:03 PM

2016-03-11T14:03:18-05:00

As far as tobacco use is concerned, you might want to get familiar with AR 600-63. Restrictions on tobacco use are only going to get stricter, not looser.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Mar 11 at 2016 2:07 PM

2016-03-11T14:07:35-05:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member I think that a standard set of rules should apply to all military installations when it comes to issues such as consumption of tobacco and alcohol and that those need not be tied to laws of the various states. That is already done in some areas where something legal off post may not be legal on post, for example possession and use of marijuana. Therefore, there is no reason for the reverse to be true, whereas it is illegal off post to buy tobacco if under 21 but legal on post. As the article points out, it is strictly a matter of DoD policy...

Response by MSgt John Taylor made Mar 11 at 2016 3:24 PM

2016-03-11T15:24:28-05:00

I was in the service when the Reagan Admin required military installations to adapt state drinking age limits. Prior to that, one could purchase beer at 18 on any military installation. Being 19 at the time, TDY to a California base, which had a 21 yr old age requirement. I complained that if I'm old enough to die for my country then I should be old enough to buy beer. Someone replied that there was no draft, therefore I didn't have to die for my country. I've never complained since.

You may not want to serve in whatever state your in, but you don't have to. I may not share the same views as the current policy, but I don't have a good argument against it either.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 11 at 2016 4:42 PM

2016-03-11T16:42:32-05:00

I don't think we're (necessarily) "special" or should be treated as "special" except where it is absolutely necessary. We're Citizens FIRST, and we shouldn't have Privileges that separate us.