Hand that man a beer
By John Wayne Posted in Military Roundtable — Comments (3) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Why can't our young military members age 18 to less than 21 not enjoy a drink legally (in most circumstances)? I know there are more important things to worry about, but this is one thing that has bothered me for a long time. I served in the Air Force from 1978 to 1988 (enlisted at age 17). When I first went in, this was not an issue. The drinking age in most states was mostly 18, and I never had trouble getting a beer on base even when I was 17. In the mid '80s, someone started listening a bit to closely to MADD. In 1985, Federal law (United States Code, Title 10, Section 2683) and DOD Instruction 10.15.10 set forth very arbitrary and somewhat confusing rules concerning the legal drinking age of military members.
Quoting a description of some of what they contain:
"requires military installation commanders to adopt the same drinking age as the state the military base is located in. The only exception to this rule is if the base is located within 50 miles of Canada or Mexico, or a state with a lower drinking age, the installation commander may adopt the lower drinking age for military personnel on base...
The minimum drinking age on a DoD installation located in a State (including the District of Columbia) shall be consistent with the age established by the law of that State as the State minimum drinking age.
Minimum drinking age means the minimum age established for persons who may purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages.
In the case of a DoD installation located in more than one State or in one State but within 50 miles of another State or Mexico or Canada, the minimum drinking age on that DoD installation shall be the lowest applicable age of the State in which the DoD installation is located or the State or jurisdiction of Mexico or Canada that is within 50 miles of such DoD installation.
The minimum drinking age on a DoD installation located outside the United States shall be 18 years of age. Higher minimum drinking age will be based on international treaties and agreements and on the local situation as determined by the local installation commander.
The commander of a DoD installation may waive the above requirements, if such commander determines that the exemption is justified by special circumstances. Special circumstances are those infrequent, non-routine military occasions when an entire unit, as a group, marks at a military installation a uniquely military occasion such as the conclusion of arduous military duty or the anniversary of the establishment of a military service or organization. The event must be held on a military installation. The commander shall ensure that appropriate controls are in place to prevent endangering Military Service members or the surrounding community."
Anyhow, you can research the law more if you're curious. My beef is that we gladly accept people age 18 to less than 21 into military service. We train them how to fight, how to save lives, and often how to maintain and operate multi-million dollar equipment (in the hundreds of millions of $s in the case of some aircraft, and what about the boomers?). 18 to less than 21 year olds hold other's lives in their hands every day. Why in the world aren't they trusted with a lousy 12 ounce can of beer? They are responsible enough to volunteer for military service knowing full well that their health and very lives may be the cost of their decision, and may even require the taking of other's lives. Yet these military members are not mature enough to have a drink? Give me a break! The UCMJ does not punish anyone for drinking, but rather for drinking irresponsibility or at the wrong times (on duty, while driving, etc.). The UCMJ covers all military members, from the highest O-10 to the lowest E-1. Why, especially in this time of war, can't this policy be made fair and rational? I don't have a great love of booze (I’m a very moderate drinker), but this is something that really needs to be looked at. It is a matter of common sense and fairness. My 3 oldest sons all joined the Air Force before age 21 and had to endure this idiotic policy. Anyone who has been in the military is aware of all the drug and alcohol education our military members receive. They know they will be held responsible for their actions. Why not wait until they screw up before punishing them?
Cheers,
John Wayne
I have heard from a first hand account that it's pretty easy to get beer on military bases and I don't believe they were within 50 miles of Mexico or Canada.
Regardless, I think anyone over 18 should be allowed to have a beer. Perhaps we could leave the legal age for purchasing beer at 21 just so we don't have 18 year olds buying 15 year olds alcohol. We could also allow people between 18 and 21 to buy beer but not spirits so they can drink but are less likely to drink far too much. It's ridiculous to make all alcohol consumption illegal when most people drink before 21 and it's a personal choice that doesn't hurt anyone if you act responsibly.
The guys and gals I was mostly concerned with were our military members. My sons verified that it isn't hard to get booze on base if you're under 21, but they do face harsh disciplinary actions if they get caught. As to the general population, it really doesn't matter if an 18-year-old or an 80 year old gives it to a 15 year old, it is against the law. Personally, if you're old enough to vote, old enough to be drafted, you outta be old enough to take a drink. MADD was a good idea at the start, but they went overboard (like so many 'causes' end up doing). Too many in our society want to be protected from all risks and hazards, even if they are only imagined. "Let's make another law, lets stop that...". To get just a little off the subject at hand, global warming is another example of widespread public hysteria. The cause of the Nanny State is a poorly informed/educated society. We are reaping the fruits of public education.
John Wayne
If they are old enough to die for our country, they should be able to order that beer. It's the least we can do for our men and women in uniform.
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