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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SSG (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

Rules are rules however I believe if you can carry a gun into combat and have had the displeasure of taking a life then personally I think a drink is not harmful; however rules are rules and we have to follow them...

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SSgt William Story

Posted 12 y ago

I say yes. If you have to accept all the responsibilities of an adult you shod be afforded all the privileges.

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SSG Larry Smith

Posted 12 y ago

17 years old should be law that you can drink on post only, not off post inless it is in your own home also you should be able too vote these turkeys in wash D,C, out of office so MY ANSWER 2 YOUR QUESTION [YES].

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SGT Michael McMahon

12 y

We need to run everyone (who has not first put their lives on the line for our nation) out of Washington, D.C., as they do not deserve a position of honor, when they have not done that which is honorable.

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SPC John Cormier

12 y

yes, if your man or women enough to serve your country then you have earned the right to drink if so desired.

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SGM Matthew Quick

12 y

17?!?! Really? Why not 16? That way they can drive themselves to the Class 6 to pick it out.

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SSG Laureano Pabon

Posted 12 y ago

I had to give you a hands up on tis question SSG Olsen, but I can't say yes nor I can say no.

The RP pic you see in my profile was me when I was 17 years old,

In Basic after a while just as your ready to graduate, the drill SGTS did get together with us and we had a pic nic, that included cases of beer.

When I got to my permanent party at Ft Bliss, I went to the pub and ordered a pitcher of beer all for my lone some.

The following morning the 2 mile run really hit me.

In Camp Howze Korea, something happened that was not suppose to happen, it alerted a every one, I was under the influence (like every one else was ) prepared, for action. Since then I stopped my drinking. Even now if I had a beer, it would be every 2 years min. So for me its not 18 in the military that should not drink its every one in the military that should not drink.

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SSgt (Join to see)

12 y

No, I respect what you say, except that if you can die in a war, you should be able to drink. But I do hear you.

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SSG Laureano Pabon

12 y

I agree, with you SSG Olson, it was as such for me. if I'm correct, the laws where enacted in the civilian sector by parents whom lost their children due to drinking in accidents. It was also to prevent children whom were under age, and by that I mean way under the age of 16, whom drank heavy alcohol daily as in every day ending up to becoming alcoholics. It seems these laws where pushed into the military as well.

Now the I do drink and nothing is stopping me from drinking, so the reason why I don't is because I elect to keep my physical body clean and my thoughts very clear, I work better that way, in addition when I'm communicating with some one in person or electronically my brain acts as its suppose to, my thoughts are realistic, and my decisions far better.

Some time back I was studying and found that if your going to drink, drink alone when no one is around. If you drink with a group of people around you can become a subject to suggestions mentally, because your mind is not fully alert. Its like getting hypnotize which is like taboo. Same when using drugs.

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SGT Michael McMahon

12 y

I believe the problem is that they allow immature people to operate a 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 ton deadly weapon at 14 to 16 years of age, but want to deny adults their rights as adults. Simple solution, keep those under 18 off the road, and allow all adult rights, privileges and responsibilities (voting, driving, drinking, marriage, and serving in the military) to be given at the age of 18.

Look at Europe, they allow alcohol drinking at very young ages, their alcoholic beverages are stronger than the US, and there are fewer alcohol related accident/deaths. Why is that? There is no social stigma to drinking, and it is not abused as it is here, because of the stigma!

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SSgt (Join to see)

12 y

Sgt Christopher, teens are risk takers anyhow and inspite of laws they are still drinking. Police officers enforcing these laws for 18-20 year olds is wrong. Think about this, you are too young to drink but old enough to be arrested for it. lol

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SGT Michael McMahon

Posted 9 y ago

Simply put, either the drinking age needs to be dropped to 18, or the enlistment age for the military needs to be raised to 21. It is had to say that it is ok to die, as an adult, for your nation, but not to enjoy alcoholic beverages, like an adult!

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MSG Scott McBride

Posted 11 y ago

This topic is a double edged sword for commanders. If you can fight and die for your country you should be able to enjoy a beer? Right? Drinking on post only for those under 21 has been on again off again for years. You have a mass majority of Soldiers who will do the right thing and drink responsibly. In the other hand, we are Soldiers, we work hard therefore we play hard. Mass punishment doesn't work, but a message of intolerance for those who cross the line must be made.

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SSG(P) (Join to see)

Posted 11 y ago

Hell yeah, I was able to...look at me now, I am a chiropractor. This is what drinking does to you. LOL

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Sgt Michael Selbach

Posted 11 y ago

Yes

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SSG William Patton

Posted 11 y ago

When I joined the military the drinking age was determined by the minimum age of each state for the consumption of hard liquor. My home state of Louisiana was one of those states. Many states, like Kansas sold 3.2 beer to those under 21 and hard liquor was controlled in state run stores. The Army had a reg that stated you must be 21 or E-6 to consume hard liquor, but again, if the state you enlisted in had a minimum age of 18 you could purchase and consume hard liquor. I never learned of that reg until I was 21 and a civilian again. That rule was strictly enforced in Vietnam, but most who worked checkout at the PX or BX were unaware of the rule involving state enlistment and forbid all unter 21, except E-6s. Those who drank hard liquor would have to barter something on their ration card with someone who did not drink, who was also over 21, to get them to purchase a bottle for you. Having said all that, if an 18 year old is old enough to go in harm's way, they are old enough to purchase alcohol of any type. When I enlisted, I was not old enough to vote and I was 18.

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SGT Michael Glenn

Posted 11 y ago

I think they should they are able to die for their country so why not have a round on the country???

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SFC Boots Attaway

11 y

If they signed that blank check then they should be allowed to drink. Old enough to die for their country, old enough to drink.

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