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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CW2 (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I personally don't like the idea as maturity is definitely not at its capacity at 18.

My parents have both talked of Okinawa and the ability to drink at whatever age on base. (Back the 70s that is)

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SSgt (Join to see)

12 y

I came in in the 1970s and in 1976, I lost an 18 year old cousin as she was driving back from college. She was not drinking but the guy in the other was. RIP Cheryl.

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SSgt (Join to see)

Edited 12 y ago

Posted 12 y ago

Overwhelmingly most here agree with the age being 18. Why then is the legal age still at 21? This has become a nanny state and this is about control. You would figure that especially veterans have made the sacrifice equal to the risk of being an adult.

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SSgt James Guy

Posted 12 y ago

I joined the Air Force at 19. Legally I was not allowed to drink or vote. I spent 2 years in Japan and then headed for Vietnam. By that time I could vote and legally drink.

In Texas at Sheppard AFB,I could buy a beer on base without ID. I was never carded in the Airman's club in Japan but the dependents were. In Nam we were issued a ration card but could drink without a ration card in the Airman's and then NCO club after it was built.

I do believe that if you can fight and die, you should be able to drink and vote.

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SSgt (Join to see)

>1 y

I see you are weighing 1505s in your picture. I actually liked them and the dark blue ones as well. I was young looking as well but ironically did not drink. But the option should be there and not 18 because they say so. The government that is.

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Suspended Profile

Posted 12 y ago

If they can sign a contract to serve the United States they should absolutely be able to enjoy a few drinks when they want. I know I did as a 18 year old Private.
I actually refuse to push UCMJ action for minor infractions like Soldiers getting caught drinking under age.

SSgt (Join to see)

12 y

Okay you are a great leader and probably help them grow into leaders themselves. TY

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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel

Posted 12 y ago

This Argument has gone back and forth forever but still a very valid one. I am part of the Old School if you are old enough to die for your country you are old enough to drink. I know that youngsters well into their 20's don't drink reponsibly Hell old people do that sometimes too but I am the Grandson of a Beergarten Anti-Prohibitionist Operator. In my German Catholic Heritage we start drinking at very young age.

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MSgt (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

I think if they do like overseas at some of the deployed bases (there was a 1-2 beer limit each day only at the designated location) that would keep a lot of the issues at bay and then they could still have a drink if they decided to off duty.

The biggest problem comes when the drinking is unsupervised and there are no limits. Some people can drink and have no issues while other should never even start to drink due to the type of character they become.

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MSgt Keith Hebert

12 y

I think at social functions and set limits and on base only it is fine

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TSgt Kevin Buccola

Posted 12 y ago

The age old answer is simple - if you are old enough to die for your country then you should be able to have a beer.

But in reality people - young and old need to know how to drink in moderation and be responsible.

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SPC Charles Brown

Posted 12 y ago

At the risk of pissing some people off and making other dance in drunken joy, it has long been my opinion that if someone is willing to sign the papers, raise their right hands, take the oath of office and serve their country; I believe that yes they should be able to drink. They are willing if need be to lay down their lives for their country they should be able to drink, albeit in moderation.

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SPC Michael Hunt

Posted 12 y ago

Absolutely negatory, nope, nada, no sir... that's a negative.

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CSM (Join to see)

Posted 12 y ago

This is a very slippery slope to walk on. I remember when I
can into the service we had a vending machine that dispensed beer and anyone
could walk up and "pay for a cold one". Is / was this right? The legal
age was 21 at the time and I was 19 did I do it you bet I did but the rules
were clearly stated once you bought one you were not going to leave the barracks
the CQ made sure of it. This is what I call Policing our own and it worked for
us other units didn’t fair so well but it was a leadership issue (a whole other
topic). If I had to really think about it yes
you should be able to but once you prove yourself not worthy then you are done.

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TSgt (Join to see)

12 y

I think it really comes down to the mission. I think there are plenty of people who are 18-20 who could handle alcohol responsibly. You can not deny that there is a certain % that would not be able to without the potential to make mistakes. Have them wait until they are 21, give them time to gain some "life-knowledge" and then, when they hit 21 let them go. Basically I think by keeping it at 21, we protect those 18-20 who would have unintentionally/intentionally made a mistake to hinder themselves or their careers. Which ultimately hurts us all by losing our future military strength.

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