Should military personnel under the age of 21 overseas still be able to drink alcohol?

2015-06-24T16:41:17-04:00

What is everyones input on the subject of under age drinking while you're overseas? I'm 20 years old and have been TDY to a few places overseas where it was different. Do you think military members should still fall under the UCMJ while they are overseas for that subject. I'm not against drinking, I just want to see what other peoples opinions are towards this subject.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-06-24T16:44:40-04:00

As long as the policy of where you are at allows for that, then there is no concern. Unless your immediate command states no underage drinking at all, even if the area allows it. And to be honest, while I was stationed in Germany, I saw more people who were of age get in trouble due to alcohol than I did with those that were under 21.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 4:45 PM

2015-06-24T16:45:40-04:00

Everyone's heard the oh so famous, "If I can volunteer to die for my country, I should be able to drink." And I can't help but agree. What I like about it, though, is that the Navy allows that rule to be bent a bit by the ship's CO. Otherwise, we all know if you're in it's 21 and over and that's it. It doesn't effect me much, anymore, since my 21st was a few months ago, but it is still something that, if somehow I could sway the vote on, I would absolutely say yes.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-06-24T16:58:29-04:00

No, we are bound by the laws of the US wherever we go in a service capacity.
Does that mean I would turn you in, no.
There should be one age for adulthood. If it's 18 then it's 18, if it's 21 then 21, I don't care which but that's the part that should change.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 24 at 2015 5:05 PM

2015-06-24T17:05:49-04:00

My first assignment back in the 1980s was to South Korea. In those days Korea had no drinking age and since Korea had no drinking age neither did our on-post clubs. I had just turned 21 most of the guys I ran with were under 21. As someone else here said, the under 21 guys generally seemed to handle being able to drink much better than the older guys. I worked in the MTF and the majority of legal blood alcohols I drew were from soldiers over 21. I think Korea has since enacted a drinking age of 17, but the Eighth Army commander has enacted a 21 policy at last check, which covers all servicemembers in Korea.

Response by SPC Chris Early made Jun 24 at 2015 6:02 PM

2015-06-24T18:02:28-04:00

truthfully its illegal even if the country your in has no or low legal age, but at the sametime as long as you don't get caught on post your ok check UCMJ. My first duty station was korea also in 1998, my first sergent bought me a beer on post and said " if you can die for your country you should be able to drink, just don't get caught" and I did just that.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-06-24T19:42:26-04:00

Drinking age differs from place to place overseas. Usually, the military follows the host countries laws and SOFA. When you in-process at your duty station they should tell you the drinking age, etc. If not, ask them. If you go TDY, find out from the JAG. Best to be safe than sorry.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 12:38 AM

2015-06-25T00:38:24-04:00

I don't think so. Firstly we should not be encouraging the drinking culture in our military. It's always been a problem and we all know how to lie on those yearly physicals. How many drinks do you have a weekend...one drink...yeah right. You and the interviewer both know that's BS. So I don't see the reason for making it easier to drink. Furthermore I think the amount of alcohol related incidents will increase; especially around dorms and barracks. I don't think it's a great idea. In addition it won't supercede civilian law so if a under 21 year old finds himself off base, doing stupid things, he's going to find himself with criminal charges. That's not a risk our junior service members need.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 7 at 2015 11:11 AM

2015-11-07T11:11:03-05:00

My opinion is simple: If you are old enough to sign up to give your life in defense of this nation, you can have a beer. We cannot change state, or a country's laws, but on an installation (even in the states) you should be able to have a pop if your are in the service.
When I enlisted, the drinking age was 18. They upped it to 21, but grandfathered you in, if you were already eligible. Did we have problems? Yes, but those same problems would have come up at 21. You will learn responsibility at some point, even if it has to be beaten in.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2015 11:23 AM

2015-11-07T11:23:23-05:00

A1C Austin-Holbert, I came in at a time when the legal age to consume alcohol on Post/ Base regardless of Conundrum/Oconus was 19. So, I would have to say that I had no problem with it then and would have no issue with it now. As my old platoon Sergeant used to say "If your old enough to die, then your old enough to drink". However, that was a different time and we're all about change and we must abide by the UCMJ.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Nov 7 at 2015 11:30 AM

2015-11-07T11:30:01-05:00

I came of age when the legal drinking age in most of the US was 18. I have served in place where the drinking age is as low as 16. A military members ability (and/or authorization) to legally drink at a given age is more a function of the local laws and SOFA for that area vice the UCMJ. This information is usually well publicized, however, when in doubt ask.

A lawyer is better positioned to verify this, -- however, I do not believe there is actually a federal statute that mandates a minimum uniform drinking age. The National Law passed in 1984 actually only punished state by removing federal highway monies. The actual drinking age laws are within the domain of the several States to determine. In my experience US Military facilities typically conform to the local laws (State or via SOFA overseas).

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Aug 25 at 2016 8:08 AM

2016-08-25T08:08:49-04:00

Old enough to die, old enough to drink. I don't think a judge anywhere near where I am from would dare not throw such a case out of his court unless other crimes were committed as well. Wanting to be re-elected is a strong incentive for fair justice. Persecuting soldiers won't cut it here.

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Aug 25 at 2016 8:10 AM

2016-08-25T08:10:59-04:00

Old enough to die , old enough to drink. Any country that says otherwise doesn't need Americans defending it. Yea, that includes the USA too. :)

Response by PO2 Chuck Dufresne made Aug 28 at 2016 6:45 PM

2016-08-28T18:45:37-04:00

I came of age during Vietnam and was 18 when the drinking age changed to 18. "Old enough to be drafted... Old enough to drink." If you are a safe places, millennial, then you should not be allowed to drink. You have to man up first. ⚓️

Response by Theresa D'Urso made Sep 3 at 2016 8:13 PM

2016-09-03T20:13:29-04:00

As my Pop-Pop always put it (Army- Korea), if you can serve our country and put your life on the line, you can be served. Naturally, cut offs should be restricted to language, behavior, volume, etc... As anyone 21+, 18 and enlisted- have your beer!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2016 3:15 PM

2016-09-04T15:15:52-04:00

We're allowed to take a bullet at 17, so why not?

Response by LCpl Patrick Gillman made Sep 6 at 2016 12:44 AM

2016-09-06T00:44:47-04:00

Response by MSgt Dennis LeRoy Duncan MSGT, USAF, Retired made Sep 8 at 2016 10:52 PM

2016-09-08T22:52:24-04:00

What are DOD mandates???

Should these be reviewed? Absolutely!!!

Should DOD mandates be followed? Absolutely,,, even if local rules allow younger age consumption.

Response by Sgt Heriberto Salinas made Apr 7 at 2017 4:43 PM

2017-04-07T16:43:51-04:00

I personally believe that drinking is out of control with military personnel. If I knew then what I know now, I would have never drank. I don't have any DUI's, but I should have plenty. I made a lot of alcoholic friends, in which I am not proud of that. (God bless them). If there is any advice I can give you, is that, "You are who you surround yourself with ". In otherwords, get away from drinking, and stay away from alcoholics.

Response by PO3 David Adams made Apr 13 at 2017 1:02 PM

2017-04-13T13:02:19-04:00

If your allowed to Die For your Country should be allowed to Drink but if under age should be supervised by someone that is legal Age who could be held accountable to prevent underage drinker from doing something Stupid