Underage drinking in the AF?

Buckeye Fever

Underage drinking can cost you a stripe, as well as forfeiture of pay, and additional duty on the weekend. You will likely wind up with an Article 15 and risk the chance of being booted.

Now, the riskiest thing you can do is have beer in your fridge if you are under 21. The law is the law. When I first join, I was in the dorms (till about 2 years ago) and the Shirts (aka First Sergeant) do random walk-through inspections. There is also typically a monthly inspection. If there is a party thrown and someone gets in a fight, they usually I.D. everyone around the area, and they will bust you if you have been drinking.

Sorry man but drink at your own risk, it can cost you a lot. Best bet is to drink off base at someones house and crash there.

Mike

If you are stationed in the U.S. you are subject to the laws of the particular state. Your chain of command will enforce those laws.

If you are stationed overseas where the drinking age is 18 or less, you are allowed to drink at 18.

My advice... once you have completed basic and tech school, go for an overseas assignment until you are 21.

By the way, in every barracks room I have ever been in (permanent duty station), a small fridge comes standard. Not so in basic or tech school though.

Bob

won't happen. If you are caught during an inspection, then you will be in trouble.

ReX

Uh, no, this will not fly.

First of all, you won't be in a "barracks", you'll be in the dorms. And they'll be inspected regularly. So forget the minifridge with beers in it.

Secondly, if you're caught drinking, expect trouble--lots of it. This is a high-visibility issue with the leadership, and they are taking hard stances. If you are going to drink, do it off-base, in someone's home, don't cause trouble, and DO NOT go on base obviously drunk. The gate gaurds WILL catch you, and believe me, your life will not be fun. Also, whoever let you party with them, keep in mind they did you a huge favor--providing alcohol to underage is another major offense to get smacked with.

In some career fields, including ATC, an alcohol violation can seriously damage your career, especially a DUI. The Air Force is able to be very picky about who they enlist and who they RE-enlist, so keep it in mind.

Mike: In tech school in 2004, our rooms had minifridges. But that's probably different from place to place... The dorms at Luke were set up in suites, four bedrooms shared a common living/kitchen area.

Sandra M

Underage drinking is not permitted and if you get caught you can get into lots of trouble. Be happy that you are able to join the air force and let the mini fridge of beer at home until you are 21. Your quarters can be checked.

Daniel V

The current Chief of Staff is really cracking down on Underage drinking. Tolerating underage drinking can also get you into hot water.

Slackeyed

It's legal to drink at 18 on any overseas US Military base.

If you're getting stationed domestically then the alcohol tolerance policy will be dictated by the unit commander.

smtfs2113

They really don't care. As long as you don't get arrested they will let it slide. If you are old enough to fight and die for your country you are old enough to have a beer.

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