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?
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
Alcohol
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 186
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Yes. If you're old enough to fight, and die, for your country, you're old enough to have a beer
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Sgt Joel "Mike" Dunlap
Yes, Should be limited though! Maybe to base pubs.. Might keep the young and dumb out of trouble.. You know the do it anyway.. Let them have some fun!!
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PO1 Dana Pierson
Mira Mar used to have an E-club where under 21 could drink beer. It was right next to the barracks also so it was easy to stay out of trouble. It should be like that still. ON BASE and close to the barracks so the new guys can learn what their pace is in a semi controlled environment. BEFORE they go over seas and learn the hard way.
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In a word, yes. As a PL and CO, when doing weekend safety briefs I didn't even mention "if you're not 21, don't drink". Instead I emphasized being smart when you're out having fun, have a plan, have a battle buddy with you and usually ended with a note along the lines of, "If you have to make a decision over the weekend on what to do or not to do that could be wrong or is in the 'gray area' of interpretation, don't forget, don't do what you can't afford." Basically laying it out there that if they do something wrong and get busted, as leaders our hands are tied and they will be good. Of all the platoons in my Company, my guys had the fewest issues and as a Tank Company CO, my Company always had the fewest (0) infractions when compared to the others. Trust people to make the right call, do the right thing, and act maturely and they'll often surprise you. If they can't do all that, then punish them. I always try to punish the individual and avoid mass punishment.
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If you're old enough to die for your country, you should be old enough to drink. Right? It's not like the underage kids aren't drinking well before 21 anyway (I drank plenty before I was 21). They can buy cigarettes and get lung cancer, might as well let them get liver cancer too. Let's bring back two beer limit during lunch too!
There are people well over 21 who can't handle their alcohol and I don't see them raising the age to insurance age (25). Education is the key here, not just making it legal because people want to drink.
While we're at it... Why the concern over alcohol? Drinkers are usually the ones who go on about this (just saying). What about making Pot legal? How many times has anyone seen a news story about someone getting cancer, performing sexual assaults, killing someone in their car (DUI) or beating their spouse while high? Probably slim to none, right? Because you'd be too lazy too do something stupid. Not that I'm an advocate for it, I could care less.
Here's the deal though, we raise our right hand and say we'll abide by the UCMJ (and ALL Federal laws... so, if State law says 18 is the drinking age and Pot is legal, it's NOT for you). That being said, if you disagree with the rules, make it to the top and change them, or rethink your Military career.
Hopefully this amused someone...
- Chief Devils' Advocate
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SFC (Join to see)
That's funny, but true. The law is the law and that's what going with. When they change I would have no qualms with it. But long we're professional minded the law shouldn't be an issue. We're not civilians we are Soldiers.
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If you are old enough to take the Oath to serve your country and carry a weapon and be responsible for the lives and liberty of others! Why not allow an 17-20 year old have a beer. As long as they drink responsibility and up hold the UCMJ they are entitled to be treated as an adult. They have agreed to a blank check to give their life for their Country, Flag, Constitution, and protect Freedom. They have become responsible enough to handle almost any situation they may face.
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That's a tough call SSgt Olson. I know some 30-45 yr olds who still can't handle their liquor. Being military doesn't make you responsible (not that it makes you the opposite)-it makes you a Patriot. a Defender. We can look through the ranks and see we have responsible and irresponsible military personnel of ALL ages. Even those who raised their hand at 18, weren't necessarily prepared for what they were getting into. Do they "deserve" a drink probably so, but can they handle it is two different things. Not to mention, you're just coming into the military, your sleep habits are changing, your stress level is bazonkers, and your OpTempo is erratic, adding alcohol to that mix IMO is just bad juju.
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SSgt (Join to see)
SSG Best you are always respectful and reasonable. Glad to have you as a leader. Sensible and patriotic.
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Given the sheer amount of alcohol related incidents in the military, I'm not entirely convinced that it's in our best interest to have ANYONE drinking, much less lower the standard...
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SFC Michael Hasbun
Because we all know sobriety is the real killer... I had forgotten that the founding fathers specifically added the "get our drink on" clause to the constitution.
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MAJ (Join to see)
From a physiological standpoint, no. The brain stem continues to develop until around the age of 21. Alcohol affects the development of tissue, and the brain stem is something that really should not be messed with. I'm not against drinking, but the damage that is done before the tissue is fully developed is irreversible.
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CW3 (Join to see)
You're missing the point, SSG Hasbun. I'm a 46 year old CW2 who has already more than proven he can drink responsibly, and it's *LEGAL*. Your proposal takes that away from me because of what OTHERS do.
Yeah, I'd likely go along and follow it if it was an order that came on from down high...but across the board, making it a completely dry military? The history books tell us how well prohibition worked, and it WILL come down to whoever's stupid enough to get caught.
And how are you going to enforce it on Reserves/Guardsmen when they're not on IDT or on orders??? You can't.
Your proposal is short sighted and ignores human nature. Address the real problem, those that have shown they cannot drink responsibly.
The rest is just mass punishment, which never works well, it just creates resentment in those who do right.
Yeah, I'd likely go along and follow it if it was an order that came on from down high...but across the board, making it a completely dry military? The history books tell us how well prohibition worked, and it WILL come down to whoever's stupid enough to get caught.
And how are you going to enforce it on Reserves/Guardsmen when they're not on IDT or on orders??? You can't.
Your proposal is short sighted and ignores human nature. Address the real problem, those that have shown they cannot drink responsibly.
The rest is just mass punishment, which never works well, it just creates resentment in those who do right.
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I am a firm beleaver if you are defending the country you should be able to drink. with that said i also think its a "on the base drinking only" and that there tolerance level should be lowered to .06 to .04. why you ask? because when i was 18 i was a fucking dumb ass on the juice vs what i am now at 40's .
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SFC (Join to see)
When I was younger I was definitely all for the "if you're old enough to go to war then you're old enough to drink". Now that I'm older I realize that at 18 I only wanted to drink to get drunk as the rest of my friends. Even most 21 year olds show they lack the discipline to drink responsibly. Ultimately, you want to avoid alcohol related incidents. So, I don't think the rules should change.
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