Posted on Nov 28, 2013

Should 18 year olds in the military be allowed to drink alcohol?

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One of the most annoying things is busting college students for drinking. The problem is that you can at 21 at college but most graduate at 22-24, so part of the population can and part cannot.

But for the sake of argument, let's say that it is 21 and over, should military personnel be allowed to drink?

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Alcohol

Posted 12 y ago

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Responses: 186

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1SG Steven Stankovich

Posted 12 y ago

I remember back in the day when the saying was that "if you were old enough to raise your right hand, then you should be old enough to have a beer." I joined the Army five weeks after I turned 18 and my first duty assignment was in Germany. I "learned" how to drink, how to treat alcohol with respect, and also how bad it felt when you had a few too many and went out for PT in the morning. I PCSd back to the states three weeks before I turned 21. All in all, I think that I turned out alright.

I don't see much difference in the decision making processes of young servicemen and women ages 18-21. Regardless though that I personally believe that 18 year old members of the military should be able to drink alcohol, it is a moot point considering that the drinking age in CONUS is 21.

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SGT Jay Liggett

Posted 12 y ago

As a member of the Military we are held to a standard of rules and regulations, so, regardless of our age we are sworn to keep and protect the laws of this great nation. Let us be honorable in our service.

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SGT Gary Frank

12 y

If they are old enough to take a bullet, they should be old enough to have a beer.

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SrA Ron DuBois

Posted 12 y ago

Absolutely!!!

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SSG Robert Burns

Posted 12 y ago

I don't know if should is the right question. My question would be what would it accomplish? What will it make better? Im a firm believer in just because you can doesn't mean that out should. This is why I am not in the NFL, just didn't think it was a good fit for me. ;-y

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SSgt Steve Lofquist

Posted >1 y ago

YES

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SFC Christopher Taggart

Edited 6 y ago

Posted 6 y ago

Oh brother! This argument, 'if he's old enough to go to war, he's old enough to drink,' has been going around the internet for years. A kid is going to drink alcohol, no matter what his/her parents say, because "everyone does it." If you're 21 or older, DON'T buy an "underage minor" anything, no matter how much he begs you, because the "hammer" will fall on you...that drunk kid will only sleep it off. For those of us that are older, let's look in the mirror of ourselves...BEER makes you fat! Do you really want to be a fat-boy or girl and spend the rest of your life trying to get that blubber off? After I quit drinking ten years ago, I saw an immediate five pound weigh loss...I'm now at the weight I was in the early 2000s...I still have a high BMI, at least I think so. Cheers!

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MSgt Neil Greenfield

Posted 8 y ago

Yes.

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CDR Richard Tucker

Posted 9 y ago

OK, So I grew up in an age that the law was 18. Yes I am showing my age. Nevertheless, If our men and woman are responsible enough to fight and die for their country at the ripe old age of 18, then by all means, they should be able to drink. We are allowing them the responsibility to be leaders, We are giving them roles to guide others. Hell Yes! Otherwise we are saying we trust you to protect us, but not have a drink. Common Sense Please!

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PV2 Doug Wotton

Posted 9 y ago

if you old enough to fight and defend this nation you can drink on post any where there is drink sold on post .

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SPC John O'Brien III

Edited 9 y ago

Posted 9 y ago

you're either an adult, or your aren't.

18, 21..... it's bullshit....

(hell.... show me a bar off post that WON'T serve an 18-20 y.o., i never found one...)

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Should 18 year olds in the military be allowed to drink alcohol?

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