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The overwhelming majority of the US military is 18-24 year old kids.
On my last sub [we were a launch platform for FBM missiles], I was in my mid 30s and it turned out that I was the second oldest man onboard.
It is not only possible but likely that hundreds of nuc warheads have been controlled, maintained, and operated entirely by crews of men all under 30 years old.
A very small portion of a sub crew is over 24 years old.
I have also seen 'regular' combat. The Military has very little 'difficulty' with drinking, everyone drinks. Kids who enlist at 17 and 6 months, and the old men who are 25.
Most bases where I have pulled into, or been stationed, have allowed drinking among all servicemembers.
But then again I had very limited exposure to the US military having only served from 1976 until 2001.
Air Force bases have followed state laws since 1985. I remember because I had orders to Korea by then and did not have to worry about not be allowed to drink at 19.
I've always believed that if you're old enough to serve your country, you ought to be able to drink alocohol. Drinking certainly is part of military culture, but I don't believe it's any worse than any other part of society. I also believe that our 'abstinence for under 21s" policy does more harm than good. Certainly, the lure of the "forbidden fruit" increases alcohol use by teens.
True. Alcohol like loses its "coolness" after you turn 21.
Air Force bases have followed state laws since 1985. I remember because I had orders to Korea by then and did not have to worry about not be allowed to drink at 19.
Errr, not exactly...It's a state law here in GA that you cannot buy beer/liquor/wine on sundays from any store but it CAN be ok to buy it from restaurants if town/county laws allow it. In my town you cannot drink at a restaurant on sunday or buy from a store as I pointed out. Yet in the same town I can go on Sundays on base drink at the base bar and buy any boozes I want.
ok if 18 is concidered an adult than LET THEM DRINK if you can risk your life for your country, then why cant you drink ...
Kind of like arguing to allow the sun to rise.
An 18 year old serving in the US military stationed overseas or on a base near a US border can drink.
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Dang Moses, that's a long time to be in the military!
