Beer in the barracks? Army says ‘maybe’

I didn't limit alcohol in the barracks but I was hard over on the troops self monitoring...no drunken brawls, no damage to the property and absolutely, no one allowed to drive under the influence. For the most part, they obeyed the rules...we had some testing and some article 15 response from me but once everyone figured out I was serious, they monitored everyone's behavior.

As a battery and company commander in germany in the 80's where the drinking age in germany was 16. My solution was when one of my troops was brought to the MP's we executed the recall roster of the platoon they were in and marched them to the detention center in mass. Only had to do this twice for each command before the troops started to take care of their own while out drinking together. I believe the drinking age should be lowered back to 18. Prior to it being raised, we had less issues in college and elsewhere as the underage drinking was done in high school and most parents took corrective actions. I was in the year group the was in the states that increased the drinking age based on the year you were born. My year group was the last one drinking at 18, then 19, and 20 and 21. The year group after me chased the drinking age and we saw while in college higher instances of underage drinking in those follow on year groups.my parents told me and my brother when I was 14 and he was 16. If we wanted to drink alcohol that we could do it at home. We got up and made ourselves a drink and they didnt flinch. Took all the fun out it. Did that for my kids and they showed restraint in college and after. But then not sure if enough parents today are that involved in parenting their kids. Thanks for the thought provoking share MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D.

You're welcome. My mom was the same way.

MSG Greg Kelly My prediction is consistent with yours.