What are your thoughts on reducing the legal drinking age for Active Duty members?

CPT Jack Durish

Captain Jack, while I know this was not what you were saying, I liked your comment 'Anyone who is mature enough to defend this country is mature enough to have a drink and vote.' and think the smart thing for everyone is to spin your comment on its head...IF you are not mature enough to take responsibility for defending our Nation you are not mature enough to drink OR VOTE. Think of the problems that would correct.

Yes, I know I am freely stealing from Robert Heinlein but when a person is right, they are right.

MSG Sean Hayes I agree. I think people should have to prove they file tax returns before they can vote because otherwise they are voting for whichever candidate can bribe them best.

SGT Antonio Davis I really don't want you to suffer any pangs of guilt for endorsing my poor taste. It appears to me that you can rescind your "Like" simply by clicking on the Thumbs Up button again. You'll see the "Like" count reduced by one. And, no, it doesn't appear that you can subtract the "Likes" others have left behind. Clicking it again will simply add one "Like".

Also, please do not worry that I will be offended. I have great confidence in my opinions and more so in my ability to admit when I am wrong. However, in this case, I see no evidence of being wrong...

Anticipating and accepting incoming flak... much respect, CPT Jack Durish. No dings from this guy.

Cpl Jerry Millar, if this law is passed (and big if there) then if they can legally drink in the barracks at 21 then they would be able to at 18.

Apologies Cpl Jerry Millar, from the article it says the language for the bill would be along the lines of, "A bill proposed by Sen. Ron Young, D-Frederick, would allow active-duty service members who are at least 18-years-old to be served beer and wine. The service member would be required to show their military identification at the bar or restaurant where they are being served." From my understanding of this they would not be able to purchase hard liquor or be able to buy alcohol at stores.

PV2 Lisa Wilcox, I agree with you completely. Plus, others have mentioned increased offenses created by younger drinkers. I just wonder how many of the current problems have stemmed from a charge of underage consumption? I joined at 19 and the age was 21. We drank beer when ever possible and it was provided by our DS for an end of basic party. No issues, and it gave us newbies a chance to see a human side of our drills.

I would agree. It seems to me these sort of issues occur when you make it forbidden fruit. Something forbidden makes people want it more and they get stupid about getting it

When I was stationed at Fort Bliss, TX the drinking age on post for beer and wine was 18. This was 8 years after Texas became a "21" state. This was to keep Soldiers from going into Juarez Mexico to drink (the border was still open).
As the installation is federal property, post commanders do have some latitude in what local or state laws are also applicable on post in order to maintain good order and discipline.

I was stationed at Ft. Eustis from 89 to 92. Don't think they had that then, but we were deployed (as a detachment) a lot to other countries so the drinking age wasn't an issue for me. Especially in Panama - if you were old enough to see over the bar they'd serve you

MAJ Carl Ballinger Sir, I can confirm that for some posts the commander does have that authority. When I was stationed at Bliss in 03-04, the legal drinking age on base was 18.

The authority comes from 10 U.S. Code § 2683 which states:
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary concerned shall establish and enforce as the minimum drinking age on a military installation located in a State the age established by the law of that State as the State minimum drinking age.
(2)
(A) In the case of a military installation located—
(i) in more than one State; or
(ii) in one State but within 50 miles of another State or Mexico or Canada,
the Secretary concerned may establish and enforce as the minimum drinking age on that military installation the lowest applicable age.
(B) In subparagraph (A), the term “lowest applicable age” means the lowest minimum drinking age established by the law—
(i) of a State in which a military installation is located; or
(ii) of a State or jurisdiction of Mexico or Canada that is within 50 miles of such military installation.

Paragraph (3) also establishes authority for the post commanding officer (anywhere in the US - not just the 50 mile rule) to waive the age requirement for special circumstances, ie. redeployments, Army/Corps Birthday, etc. .... though I think very few CGs would be willing to put their neck out on the line like that.

However, in my mind, the 18 year old drinking age on Ft. Bliss and Camp Pendleton makes perfect sense to me. It keeps soldiers/marines from heading over the border to drink in a much more dangerous and less controlled environment.

Did rotations there with the 571st me's vac, the younger guys loved it. We loved the didn't go across the border, accept the few who went for the show.
Smart decision on the post commanders part.