Old enough to serve, too Young to drink
April 12th, 2008 | by Dizzy Dezzi | Published in Iraq War, Politics | 2 Comments
I work in a couple of bars on a military post (full disclosure: my husband is a SSG in the US Army, currently serving in Iraq and stationed on the military post where I work) and I see grown folks acting all kinds of stupid while indulging in alcoholic pleasures. I also see plenty of grown folks acting and drinking responsibly.
There are some soldiers who are not allowed, by law, to drink alcohol. For legal purposes, including voting, signing contracts, marriage, and criminal prosecution, these young people are considered adults (they are after all between the ages of 18 and 20). But, despite being considered adult enough to handle small and heavy artillery, they are not considered adult enough to buy/drink alcohol.
“…She ranted that 18-year-olds haven’t “developed, and that’s exactly why the draft age is 18, because these kids are malleable.” She added: “They will follow the leader, they don’t think for themselves, and they are the last ones I want to say, ‘Here’s a gun, and here’s a beer.’ They are not adult—that’s why they’re in the military. They are not adults.”
The Marines have lowered the drinking age, to allow those under 21 to drink (under special circumstances). But, for most of the armed forces, in particular, in civilian settings, it is still a no-no for under-age members of the military to purchase/drink alcohol.
My question is: Do you think a soldier/service member under the age of 21 should be allowed to purchase/drink alcohol? Why/Why not?
crossposted: Hypocrisy.com
April 12th, 2008at 9:42 pm(#)
That is a loaded question. I’m gonna flip it the other direction & say this, about that…. I think under 21 year olds should not drink. I also think under 21 year olds should not be recruited & sent to wars, or illegal occupations. I think this for the same reasons the MADD lady did- they are not yet mature.
It does seem ass backwards crazy that kids are considered “adult” enough to go to war, but not drink.
In many cases, one has to be 21 in order to sign contracts, of which the military enlistment agreement IS a contrat (one of the worst ones out there in my opnion– that clasuse that says they can change all the rules for any reason at any time. In order to be in compliance with truth in advertising regulations, they shoud have billboard sized signs with the section 9b of the contract so people can damned well know– be forewarned– know what the hell you are signing.
Because no matter what the recruiter tells you, it is null and void once you sign.
No drinking, No war. They are still a *teen* after all.
Leave them kids alone!
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April 14th, 2008at 5:00 am(#)
Nice flip, Fran. Well put.
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