Posted on Jun 24, 2015
Should military personnel under the age of 21 overseas still be able to drink alcohol?
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What is everyones input on the subject of under age drinking while you're overseas? I'm 20 years old and have been TDY to a few places overseas where it was different. Do you think military members should still fall under the UCMJ while they are overseas for that subject. I'm not against drinking, I just want to see what other peoples opinions are towards this subject.
Alcohol
UCMJ
Law
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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truthfully its illegal even if the country your in has no or low legal age, but at the sametime as long as you don't get caught on post your ok check UCMJ. My first duty station was korea also in 1998, my first sergent bought me a beer on post and said " if you can die for your country you should be able to drink, just don't get caught" and I did just that.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Well what I was saying is that the bases that I was on (Mildenhall & Al Udied) while I was overseas it was legal to buy alcohol on base at the age of 18.
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SPC William Weedman
I think in countries where the drinking age is lower than 21, the commanders have the option to enforce US standards or allowing the host country drinking age. In Korea in the 1980s it was the host country (no drinking age). It was jarring when I first arrived watching little kids buy bottles of Korean alcohol at a local market and take it home, sort of like when I was a kid I could buy cigarettes for my parents, the shop keepers thought nothing of it.
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2LT Rtchard Rockhill
One of my BIGGEST complaints was, and still is that I went to Vietnam at age 18, came home at age 20 with a purple heart and was told that I was too young to drink. Old enough to serve and fight, old enough to drink!!!
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2LT Rtchard Rockhill
Here's a thought. Rise the minimum age to vote, enlist, get married, and all the other "adult things" to 21. Make adulthood uniform across all segments of life. Of course that will never happen, just think how many votes the politicians would lose. LOL.
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Drinking age differs from place to place overseas. Usually, the military follows the host countries laws and SOFA. When you in-process at your duty station they should tell you the drinking age, etc. If not, ask them. If you go TDY, find out from the JAG. Best to be safe than sorry.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Thats good to know sir. I appreciate it. Yeah I was kind of confused seeing that you could be 18 and buy alcohol on base and it not be a problem over seas.
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As long as the policy of where you are at allows for that, then there is no concern. Unless your immediate command states no underage drinking at all, even if the area allows it. And to be honest, while I was stationed in Germany, I saw more people who were of age get in trouble due to alcohol than I did with those that were under 21.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Yeah I agree with that sir. It kind seems like gray area since we really fall under the UCMJ but the laws there aren't the same. Figured it would end up depending on your command.
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MSG (Join to see)
As an example, while in Germany, the legal age to drink on base was 21. In town, off base, the bar owner set the legal age. So, many under 21 Soldiers (and even some dependent kids) would travel off base and enjoy a beer or two. And, I am an NCO (SSG equals Staff Sergeant), not an officer. But I appreciate the "sir." Now if I can only get paid as an officer.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Yeah while I was in England the drinking age on base is 18. So i was able to buy alcohol while I was TDY if I wanted to. I think it should be one or the other honestly because it's kind of messed up lol. I'm just used to calling any NCO or above sir thats all.
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My first assignment back in the 1980s was to South Korea. In those days Korea had no drinking age and since Korea had no drinking age neither did our on-post clubs. I had just turned 21 most of the guys I ran with were under 21. As someone else here said, the under 21 guys generally seemed to handle being able to drink much better than the older guys. I worked in the MTF and the majority of legal blood alcohols I drew were from soldiers over 21. I think Korea has since enacted a drinking age of 17, but the Eighth Army commander has enacted a 21 policy at last check, which covers all servicemembers in Korea.
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TSgt (Join to see)
Yeah I'm sure a lot has changed since then. While I was in england the legal age was 18 so I was able to buy alcohol on base if I wanted.
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No, we are bound by the laws of the US wherever we go in a service capacity.
Does that mean I would turn you in, no.
There should be one age for adulthood. If it's 18 then it's 18, if it's 21 then 21, I don't care which but that's the part that should change.
Does that mean I would turn you in, no.
There should be one age for adulthood. If it's 18 then it's 18, if it's 21 then 21, I don't care which but that's the part that should change.
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WO1 (Join to see)
TSgt (Join to see)
Thanks.
It's a definite grey area in terms of whether it should be enforced. But in terms of the military, Service Members still aren't allowed to drink. It's just like if we go to an area where prostitution or drugs are legal, they are still illegal for you.
Thanks.
It's a definite grey area in terms of whether it should be enforced. But in terms of the military, Service Members still aren't allowed to drink. It's just like if we go to an area where prostitution or drugs are legal, they are still illegal for you.
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SSG (Join to see)
False! A law was passed that mandates military posts to adopt the legal drinking age of the host nation. Look it up before you get stationed overseas and look like an idiot for chewing out an 18 to 20 year old soldier.
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2LT Rtchard Rockhill
Old enough to vote, serve in the military to fight and die at age 18. You should be able at drink at age 18. An adult is an adult.
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I came of age when the legal drinking age in most of the US was 18. I have served in place where the drinking age is as low as 16. A military members ability (and/or authorization) to legally drink at a given age is more a function of the local laws and SOFA for that area vice the UCMJ. This information is usually well publicized, however, when in doubt ask.
A lawyer is better positioned to verify this, -- however, I do not believe there is actually a federal statute that mandates a minimum uniform drinking age. The National Law passed in 1984 actually only punished state by removing federal highway monies. The actual drinking age laws are within the domain of the several States to determine. In my experience US Military facilities typically conform to the local laws (State or via SOFA overseas).
A lawyer is better positioned to verify this, -- however, I do not believe there is actually a federal statute that mandates a minimum uniform drinking age. The National Law passed in 1984 actually only punished state by removing federal highway monies. The actual drinking age laws are within the domain of the several States to determine. In my experience US Military facilities typically conform to the local laws (State or via SOFA overseas).
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My opinion is simple: If you are old enough to sign up to give your life in defense of this nation, you can have a beer. We cannot change state, or a country's laws, but on an installation (even in the states) you should be able to have a pop if your are in the service.
When I enlisted, the drinking age was 18. They upped it to 21, but grandfathered you in, if you were already eligible. Did we have problems? Yes, but those same problems would have come up at 21. You will learn responsibility at some point, even if it has to be beaten in.
When I enlisted, the drinking age was 18. They upped it to 21, but grandfathered you in, if you were already eligible. Did we have problems? Yes, but those same problems would have come up at 21. You will learn responsibility at some point, even if it has to be beaten in.
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SPC William Weedman
An idea the state of Kentucky floated was to change the drinking age within the borders of the military installations Fort Knox & Fort Campbell specifically to 18 allowing the soldiers to drink legally on post. The military had no comment as it was working it's through the legislature, but MADD and the rather large anti-drinking groups with the Baptist churches in Kentucky were outraged and very vocal. That bad press combined with a somewhat morally conservative state assembly doomed the bill. As medical marijuana is going to become an issue in Kentucky, it would be nice to see a lowering of the on post drinking age passed too. I also realize each post commander would have their discretion on the drinking age, but I think the commanders should have the option.
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Everyone's heard the oh so famous, "If I can volunteer to die for my country, I should be able to drink." And I can't help but agree. What I like about it, though, is that the Navy allows that rule to be bent a bit by the ship's CO. Otherwise, we all know if you're in it's 21 and over and that's it. It doesn't effect me much, anymore, since my 21st was a few months ago, but it is still something that, if somehow I could sway the vote on, I would absolutely say yes.
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If your allowed to Die For your Country should be allowed to Drink but if under age should be supervised by someone that is legal Age who could be held accountable to prevent underage drinker from doing something Stupid
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I personally believe that drinking is out of control with military personnel. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never drank. I don't have any DUI's, but I should have plenty. I made a lot of alcoholic friends, in which I am not proud of that. (God bless them). If there is any advice I can give you, is that, "You are who you surround yourself with ". In otherwords, get away from drinking, and stay away from alcoholics.
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