Why are you not allowed to drink but are allowed to die?

sophistiquenu

The military here allows underage people to drink in the mess hall. But not out in public.

I completely agree with you.

Mac

Wow!! 2 questions in a row!! On each base overseas, it's up to your base commander. Stateside, It would be entirely too difficult for the civilian and military police to track who is military, and who isn't.

M K

Alot has changed since most of these old timers have been in.

If you are in the army, air force or navy, there are SOME installations where you can drink on base if you're under 21. Ft. Hauchuca Arizona for example, is a place where this is true. They do it to deter people from going to Mexico.

But....Marines are out of luck everywhere. Sorry, but one drawback to being the best is that you can't drink (legally) anywhere until you are 21.

William B

dumb law.
just like when i got back from Korea, was playing a slot mach in Nevada, a cop asked if i was 21 said nope, but i,m old enought to get shot up for my country, [told her about just comming back] she said have fun and left,

Submariner 1

Ask the lawmakers, the decide that one, not us.

P.S. On the past three overseas deployments I've done all had to be 21 to drink, but this is up to the CO, Type Commander, Force Commander or CINC to increase the age.

G-Man

In my opinion, it is a archaic law that needs to change. At 18, you can become a man, but not drink until 3 yrs later. Apparently, you grow enough in 3 yrs for that.

joonam_21

I asked the same question when my son got caught drinking in his dorm at Camp LeJune. He went to Iraq and got hurt and then they told him he couldn't drink ( he was 20 ) believe me I think it is wrong!!!! He was confined to base and wasn't allowed to come home on leave.

If you are old enough to fight for this country then you are sure as hell old enough to drink

D C

You can thank Reagan for that he forced the states to raise their drinking age to 21 by threatening to hold back their highway funds. Most think it was an unconstitutional move and a violation of states rights but it was never challenged in the Supreme Court. It is a stupid law that almost everybody breaks at some point. Most people have been drinking by the time they are 21 so it creates a disrespect for the law because of its stupidity. European countries allow people under 18 to drink and they actually have a lowwer rate of alcoholism and abuse.

turkey

actually you can drink overseas and at command events at the C.O's discretion

geegee

That depends on the state you reside in, state law dictates the legal drinking age, not the Federal government. My state allows legal drinking at 18, it used to be 21 but, no one followed the law & they recognized the fact that you pointed out; we ask them to die for us but they can't have a drink! Law was changed. My thought, if they can't drink legally at 18, then they can't join the military either or make both legal at age 21. Please don't assume that I support drinking, I don't since I don't drink but, others do drink & they have a right to do so, unless you live in a dry county, then you have it delivered to your house!

lttlehrse55

Eighteen year old enlisted personnel CAN drink beer and wine ON BASE at enlisted men's clubs. They can't drink hard liquor.

They can't drink off base, where they are subject to civilian laws.

USN 1977-1981

sci

Agreed I think it is a crime to treat adults that way. Our State(SD) was the last to raise the drinking age to 21 because it is crap. We fought to the Supreme Court and lost- So much for States Rights.

Grand Forks AFB in ND has a lower drinking age on base due to it's proximity to Canada where the age is lower.

rather interesting?

Ret. USAF SNCO

darrell m

because at 18 your not old enough to drink. most people aren't old enough at 21 either. as far as that goes i know people 50 who aren't old enough to drink.

igdubya

I know military installations allow 18 yr olds to drink, I am not sure about 17 yr olds that enlist prior to 18 years of age. I was 19 when I got drafted and alcohol consumption was the least of my problems, to much consumption was the problem at 19. The state law that the military installation {base} is located in becomes the law outside of a military base because its laws are enforced by civil authorities, police/sheriff, and military persons have to abide by the state law respective. You can drive a military vehicle on a military drivers license, but must have a valid state license in most states to drive on state highways, rather than just a military license. The final answerer is, state law of what state your in. The Federal Govt is not going to go against state law, either in drinking or capitol punishment, but that's another subject.