It is currently legal for people who are eighteen years of age to join the military. It is not legal, however, for them to buy or consume alcohol. Different people mature at different ages. Teenagers are allowed to fight and die in the heat of battle. They should be allowed to know the taste of beer. The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 caused all of our states to make it law that people under the age of 21 are not allowed to purchase or consume alcohol. This law at the time was an unpopular one. States that did not comply saw funding for their highways reduced, making it dangerous to drive.
Prohibition was perhaps the greatest ban against alcohol of all. From 1920 to 1933 alcohol was illegal completely. This simply caused people to buy or make their own alcohol to sell. The Prohibition failed because it did not make the community safer. Instead of having people drunk in bars, people bought alcohol from mobsters with racing style engines in their cars, making the road that much more dangerous. As for the people who brewed it at home, explosions were a danger. Usually, when something is banned, rebellious teens have a giant urge to get it if alcohol were legal for minors; many people who are eighteen would have fewer issues with the police and would most likely drink at home.
Through my short interviews with veterans, I have been informed that many bases across the country do not even enforce the drinking age. Craig Burk, for example, was in the Navy before 1991. He has told me,” When you are off duty your age doesn’t matter. You are one of the boys if you’re in uniform. “Many would buy drinks from bartenders who would turn a blind eye to age. There were drinks, women, and respect. He said it was the best time in his life.
Before the U.S. military drinking age was changed to 21, it was legal for soldiers on active duty to drink. Many officials do not follow this, as I found out from a co-worker named Richie. He asked me to not give his full name.
“Most of my superiors on base don’t agree with the change of law, so they turn a blind eye,” Richie said. “As long as you’re sober by the time you’re supposed to be, you’re OK.”
Troops should be able to experience everything life can throw at them before we strap an m16 assault rifle on them and say “Go fight!” I believe that the drinking age should be lowered. If you are allowed to fight, you should be allowed to consume alcohol. The drinking age on military bases is not enforced. Military officials don’t agree with it. It should be changed.