Alcohol in the Military

“If I’m old enough to go to war, I should be old enough to drink.” This is a popular and convincing argument for many of the under twenty-one men and women who serve in the U.S. military. An eighteen-year-old who puts their life on line for the freedom of the citizens is somehow denied permission to consume alcohal. Doesn’t this seem a bit childish of the U.S. government? The following was blogged June 24th 2004 by a young American infantryman:

“We have cement mortar bunkers set up for us all over this FOB for us to seek cover in during an attack. From a cement shelter I observed three very large dust mushroom clouds from right outside the wire from where the explosions took place. You could feel the concussion of the explosions from where I was standing. No word yet what just happened. The craziness begins...”3

During war, nothing is definite or gaurnteed, not even life. Thus, the American soldier is risking his life everyday he/she spends overseas. The above record is simply an account of one day, which could have been any day. As you can see, living and being surrounded by violent conditions, omni-present during wartime, is something not every young (meaning 18 through 20 years) American is exposed to. The young and brave in this category are involved in the very thing that allows American citizens to sleep well at night: national security. At the same time, these young men are treated like children when they return home, as they are denied drinking privileges. Until the late 21st century, soldiers of any age could consume alcohol on any U.S. military base. Now, the case is different.

It can be easily argued that today’s U.S. government is like an overprotective mother with irrational guidelines. An eighteen-year-old is granted permission to the following: marry, adopt children, sue, vote, have abortions, enter legal binding contracts, hold public office, fly cars, drive airplanes, be imprisoned or executed, and be employed or be an employer. Most of all, one can die for their country at the age of eighteen. Some will say it is absurd to have eighteen-year-olds banned from alcohol, but more will agree it is absurd to require alcohol abstinence for the U.S. soldiers; the ones who actually risk their own lives for the prosperity of the country.

A poll related to this topic was recently administered in the United States, and the results are fairly interesting. According to the poll that was given to 1,323 nationwide random respondents, seven out of eight said that “active military personnel should be allowed to consume alcohol on base regardless of their age.” 2 The 19 and 20 year olds in the military are clearly adults, and the military treats them like it. They are expected to operate deadly weapons and make split second decisions, yet they are not trusted with alcohol? It seems a bit absurd.

The United States’ government effectively supports their 50 million per year budget for the highway upkeep by charging up to $500.00 for an underage. If they were to legalize drinking for all 19 and 20 year olds, this funding would disappear. Consequently, the probability of age limit alteration for the general public is especially low. If the government would make the exception for the military personnel, the budget would certainly not lose substantial funds. It is not a matter of money, as much as an argument of principle.