by Khamaileon on February 21st, 2008

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Do you think military members under the age of 21 should be able to get into a bar and drink?

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Answers. 21 helpful answers below.

by Twhupfold on February 29th, 2008
It should depend on the laws of the country they are in, and whether or not they are on duty / about to be.

It's reckless to be drunk while on military duty IMO... (and obviously illegal to drink while under-aged in the country you're in).

Being in the military changes nothing aside from responsibilities in regards to when you're on duty.
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- Ok ive heard enough of this crap. Im in the air force active duty as a security forces officer i myself do not drink but I think that military should be able to drink under 21 because goin through basic changes you. You mature you become more responsible so dont ever say anything like and I quot "being in the military changes NOTHING" are u serious nothing thats bull. My job is so stressful it's tough and I can understand if someone wants to get trashed after working. I see this website and I am disappointed to see what everyone sees in me and my fellow military family these comments disgust me.
  
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  by Airman McPeak on May 3rd, 2009
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by prisoner on February 21st, 2008
nope. but some bases now, and the base i am on, does. The rule is 20 here.

But I say no, because marines have a TERRIBLE reputation for getting drunk and getting into trouble. If they were more responsible, I'd say sure. But records show they AREN"T.

I'm pretty bitter about it right now because recently some drunk stupid marines got into some trouble and stole a car and trespassed and raped a 14 year old japanese girl, and now ALL military/civilian americans are being punished. No one is allowed to leave the base at all, and if you live off-base, you have to stay in your home and you can't go anywhere! No shopping, no going out to eat, no nothing! you can only drive to base and back. This is in international news. I'll be back with links.

I'm pretty pissed off about it.
Comments
- Good point, somehow then it should only be allowed for those with a good record of behaviour. Consider my answer revised :)
  
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  by Chezter is going to save the Redheads on February 21st, 2008
- http://www.kuna.net.kw/NewsAgenciesPublicSite/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1885664&Language=en
  
  http://news.aol.com/story/_a/all-us-military-personnel-in-okinawa/n20080219223709990009?ecid=RSS0001
  
  http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=52646&source=rss
  
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  by prisoner on February 21st, 2008
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7254105.stm
  http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/02/marine_080219_restrictions/
  http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/19/japan.military.ap/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular
  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080214/ap_on_re_as/japan_marine_arrested
  http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/20/world/asia/20briefs-okinawa.html?ex=1361163600&en=75deb8a70c9fb5d1&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
  
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  by prisoner on February 21st, 2008
- Just curious and thinking I misunderstood your answer. Are you saying that ONLY Marines have a reputation for getting drunk and in to trouble? That other branches of service don't? Or are you just using that as an example?
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 29th, 2008
- ALL branches have a problem, but it seems to be more from the marines quit lately. And yes, I'm using it as an example because its the most recent. They just lowered the drinking age for marines last year here, and alcohol related crimes and other incidents have risen drasticly.
  
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  by prisoner on February 29th, 2008
- Thanks for clarifying :o) That increase in problems alwasy seems to happen when any code of conduct is made less strict - they go a bit wild for a bit and then the officials see what is happening and rein it in. Just the typical thing when you get a few thousand guys between the ages of 18 - 25 together. What a pity that a few kids ruin the reputation for thousands of others who are upstanding service members AND community members.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on March 1st, 2008
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by slothmister on February 21st, 2008
I think the military should have to follow whatever the local laws are.

So, in the middle east where alcohol is banned, no one can drink!
In most of the rest of the world, 18.
In the US they must wait until 21.

That is just my opinion :)
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- It is not just your opinion. It is, in fact, the policy.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 21st, 2008
- Well it obviously is not. Look at the US troops in Iraq, alcohol is illegal there yet they still enjoy a beer or two (while off duty ofc).
  
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  by slothmister on February 21st, 2008
- Are they enjoying these beers legally?
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
- http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/03/12/news/alcohol.php
  http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/01/01/sprj.nirq.ny.ap/
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
- Well those two sites sure back up your claim. I have heard differently from other people on here (ie. alcohol is legal in the bases) but have no official references.
  .
  I see from your name your about to become a parent (again?). Congratulations!
  
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  by slothmister on February 25th, 2008
- Thanks...not 'again'...first time :o) And yes, you are correct that there are some people and some places where wholly illegal alcohol sales and consumption happens, but it is entirely illegal. Some countries make a concession for the Americans, but for the most part, alcohol (and sometimes pornographic magazines) is not sold on base where it is illegal in the "host" nation. The official policy is that we respect the local laws. (I worked for the USMC for many years and husband is still active duty).
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 27th, 2008
- And that is how it should be. Live by their laws! :)
  
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  by slothmister on February 28th, 2008
- "In most of the rest of the world, 18."
  What rubbish. I guess your naivety is because you have never traveled.
  
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  by 6pack2 on February 29th, 2008
- I think slothmister was referring to most other bases where US Service members are stationed throughout the world...just my take on it.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 29th, 2008
- 6pack2, I have probably visited much more countries as a free man than you have (ie. excluding military travel) and can honestly say 18 is the age people normally become an adult and as such, in any real free country, they are entitled to drink anything that is legal. I feel sorry for you and your narrow opinions on freedom (guessing you are American).
  Can you please name a few countries where you need to be 21 (or 19, 20 ect) to drink? Try and name 5. I bet you can not!
  
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  by slothmister on February 29th, 2008
- In fact I just done some research and our great friends at wikipedia have provided a table...
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_drinking_age
  As you can see 21 is a MINORITY and 18 or 16 is the normal. A few countries have other limits (20, 12 ect) but the VAST MAJORITY use 18 and over. Hence my original comment.
  
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  by slothmister on February 29th, 2008
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by JEN on March 5th, 2008
If a person fights day and night 24-7 thousands of miles away from home defending our freedom working there butt off dont you think they should be able to come home and enjoy a beer!! yea!!!
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- completely agree with ya!
  
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  by ilovemysoldier. on July 2nd, 2008
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by 6pack2 on February 29th, 2008
I presume you are talking US Military.
Other countries don't have the puritanical 21 year old laws or 18 year old laws that some member here claim.
You tell someone to die for your country and then tell him/her to kill for your country, then tell them they can not have a beer.
That is insane and innane.
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by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on February 21st, 2008
No. The law is 21.

What does being in the military have to do with it? Does that give you immunity against laws or something?
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- The reason it's different in the military is that if they can carry a gun under 21 and fight for our country and DIE for our country...why can't they be given the right to drink as well?
  
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  by ilovemysoldier. on July 2nd, 2008
- Because it's the law. Why should your chosen profession make any difference?
  
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  by Wide Awake @ has closing date woo hoo on July 2nd, 2008
- It's not just any profession, they're dying out there and they deserve to able to at least sit down and have a beer legally. You know, enjoy themselves before they have to go back out there and fight again.
  
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  by ilovemysoldier. on July 2nd, 2008
- HELL YEAH ilovemysoldier at least there is one person on here with some common sense.
  
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  by Airman McPeak on May 3rd, 2009
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by Anon y mouse on February 21st, 2008
If they're dumb enough to join the military under the age of 21, then letting them have alcohol is definitely not a good idea.
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by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 21st, 2008
No. The reasons the U.S. drinking age is 21 does is not altered or off-set by military service. It has to do with both physical maturity and decision making. I support giving military service members all kinds of benefits and services, but this one just doesn't make sense.

Edited----

While I still think it is a bad idea for many reasons, I thought this was interesting - there is some politcal support for it:
http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/IntheNews/UnderageDrinking/1116637129.html
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by Chezter is going to save the Redheads on February 21st, 2008
If they're old enough to step in front of a bullet, they get a pretty damn long leash from me to do anything legal for someone a couple years older than them (even some stuff that may be illegal for the rest of us ;)

Good Q
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- i agree
  
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  by junebug0897 on July 13th, 2008
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by paranoia is just fine on February 21st, 2008
Not sure. What do you think?
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- I think so. cause i mean they go to war for the country and can die at 17 and my not have ever had a beer or something. i mean its made legal for them to go kill and whatnot why not have a drink or two hanging with some friends on a weekend.
  
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  by Khamaileon on February 21st, 2008
- Active duty service members in the U.S. are NOT deployed to war zones at age 17.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 21st, 2008
- yea they can be. i was deployed at 17 to iraq
  
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  by Khamaileon on February 21st, 2008
- Not trying to be argumentative, but just trying to understand. You did Delayed Entry Program at 17 and so, at youngest, you would have been 17 and 6 months and you were deployed. But you volunteered and your parents signed consent. How does that change your bodies physical ability to process alcohol?
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
- well i was only in DEP for 3 weeks was deployed about 4 months later, and you're right i did volunteer and it doesn't change your bodies physical ability to process alcohol. But what does that have to do with it?
  
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  by Khamaileon on February 22nd, 2008
- The laws in the U.S. regarding drinking age is based on traffic accident statistics and the human bodys development and ability to process alcohol.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
- I'm aware of that.
  
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  by Khamaileon on February 22nd, 2008
- Ok, so that is my point. Military service does not change the fact that a 17 year old's body can not process alcohol as a 21 year old can.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
- but a 17 year old body can still process alcohol just not as fast.
  
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  by Khamaileon on February 22nd, 2008
- So, how would that be regulated or monitored?
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 22nd, 2008
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by Randa8133 on March 21st, 2009
I think that if your old enough to go over a fight for our country and be shot at and see your fellow soldiers sot and killed you should be able to come home and have a beer to forget about it.
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- Good point.
  Why do you look so mad in your avatar?
  
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  by killdrphil - reasonable for a madman on March 21st, 2009
- If its the pic your talkin about i was being silly. My avatar is because i hurt myself and was discharged from the Army and it rreally made me mad
  
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  by Randa8133 on March 21st, 2009
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by LionPride123 on February 21st, 2008
I think they should be able to drink anywhere really if they have an Active Duty Military ID. I remember being allowed to enter strip clubs while being underage but enlisted. And we were allowed to drink. That was in the early '90's. But I do understand where people are coming from about the concept of "When in Rome". However, as far as I know, military bases are federally owned properties and maybe they should at least be able to drink on base at the NCO club or something like that.
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by BeyonceFanatic on February 21st, 2008
WHt is legal AGE IN MIDDLEEASSTT?
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- There isn't one age for the whole middle east. It depends on each country. Many middle-eastern nations, particularly those that are strictly Muslim, do not permit alcohol (legally) at all - for any age.
  
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  by This Daley has a new bundle of joy on February 29th, 2008
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by Drastic on March 5th, 2008
Absolutely. If you're old enough to fight for our country...have a beer on me!
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by ejericson on March 5th, 2008
As a memeber myself and a Wino, i think if i can stop a terrorist bullet why whouldnt i be able to order a beer at dinner??
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by Jane on March 5th, 2008
no
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by Anonymous on April 22nd, 2008
If your old enough to serve and die for your country you should have the right to drink if you want.
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by Taylor on May 20th, 2008
As a point of order, I'm in the US military. (Though only the Air Force). Calm down folks, we AF enlisted have tendencies for being smart A@@ss, I'm just kidding with you all. My point is this, I don't think people under 21 should be able to join the military. I agree in and believe in public service, (*Read Richard Heinlein's Starship Troopers for a much more elequent version then anything I could post here*). But I think that decision, and the very real consequences that can come with, are grave enough to justify raising the legal age of enlistment to 21. Unfortunately, the demographics for such an idea would never bear out. While the AF has actually seen the average age of its enlistment force rise, both the Marines and the Army would probably have difficulty meeting their manning shortfalls. *(That stuff about getting money for college, not lying)* Just food for thought.
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by Freedom00 on March 26th, 2009
If a soldier is 18+ and is on a US military base in another country, s/he should be able to drink. S/he will have to make a constructive decision on whether or not s/he wants alcohol in her/his life, soon anyway.

If s/he is in uniform and is in the US, then s/he is an adult. S/he should have all the responsibilities and pleasures of being an adult. S/he should be allowed to go to bars and drink if she is a legal adult.
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by defender1989 on March 21st, 2009
I am serving in the Air Force Security Forces and am being deployed to Baghdad, Iraq on July 5th of this year. I am 20 years old and will turn 21 shortly before I am scheduled to DEROS. My fiance is 22.

My biggest thing about where I live, Metro-East St. Louis area, is that almost every establishment that she and her friends like to frequent are very strict about not letting anyone under 21 enter; and some won't even allow anyone to stay there if they are not drinking as well. This bothers me for two reasons: 1)Drinking and gambling aside, if I'm old enough to go off and fight and possibly die for my country, why the hell can I not simply go somewhere and take her to have a good time. 2)By not allowing me to go with her and her friends I am in a constant state of worry about people severly under the influence getting behind the wheel; although she never drives after more than 3 drinks. The establishments are indirectly promoting drunken driving.

I honestly believe that anyone under 21 who is serving in the military should be able to do anything that someone who is not serving would be able to simply because they are 21 or older.

With that said there is also another thing to say. While individuals serving in the military who areunder 21 should be allowed to drink, anyone who meets that criteria can go anywhere someone who doesn't serve can go if they are 21, drink alcohol, and yes even gamble. However, anyone who is serving in the military and is under 21 has a strict, zero-tolerance BAC limit of 0.00 while being in control of a motor vehicle.

Honestly, the rise in the ammount of DUIs can be related to the weakening of today's court systems. Most people can plea-bargain their DUI tickets down to simple neglegance, thust being allowed back on the road legally in sometimes less than 6 months. I've been in contact with people who should have had over a dozen DUI convictions, but they plea-ed them down.

Simply put, anyone under 21 who is in the military should be able to drink, however they should'nt be able to be above 0.00 behind the wheel.

Just my thoughts.
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by royal77 says hello friend on March 5th, 2008
That brings up an interesting point: Is good enough to fight, protect and give the life for the country also good enough to enter the bar and drink? I don't advocate drinking however, but I am curious as to the implications of this questions.
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Do you think military members under the age of 21 should be able to get into a bar and drink?

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