Can you drink under the age of 21 in the military?
While the law and Department of Defense directives allow drinking on-base by those under the age of 21 if the base is located within 50 miles of a country that allows a lower drinking age, the Secretary of the Navy issued a Navy policy (which included the Marine Corps), which prohibited the practice.
Should the drinking age be lowered debate?
Proponents of lowering the minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) from 21 argue that it has not stopped teen drinking, and has instead pushed underage binge drinking into private and less controlled environments, leading to more health and life-endangering behavior by teens.
Why should the drinking age be increased to 21?
They say raising the age limit would protect young people from the brain damage that can be caused by too much alcohol and the harms associated with being drunk, such as car accidents and violence.
Why lowering the drinking age is a good idea?
Lower drinking age would allow for increased education, greater safety among young people, college students. If students were aware of their tolerance before entering college, they would be less likely to over-consume alcohol, which could lower the rate of crimes associated with alcohol consumption.
Why can 18 year olds join the military but not drink?
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 (23 USC § 158 ) only made it so unless states made it illegal for people under 21 to purchase and possess alcohol publically they would have their federal highway funding cut.
Can you smoke at 18 in the military?
You must be 21 years of age or older to purchase tobacco or tobacco related products (i.e. cigarette papers, tobacco paraphernalia, instruments designed for the smoking or ingestion of tobacco products) in the State of California. The exception is for active duty military personnel who are 18 years of age or older.
What are the cons of lowering the drinking age?
Now, I will discuss the cons of lowering the drinking age. The most concerning consequence of consuming alcohol below the age of 21 is interference with the brain’s frontal lobe development. The results could include dangerous risk-taking behavior, reduced decision making ability, depression, suicide, and violence.
Why should the drinking age be changed to 18?
Lowering the drinking age to 18 would allow 18-to-20-year-olds to consume alcohol safely in regulated environments, with supervision. Lowering the drinking age would also reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents among underage drinkers.
Can you drink on military bases at 18?
Defense Department rules require that all U.S. military facilities follow the 21 drinking age, but overseas bases can drop their drinking age as low as 18 based on their host country’s laws. Base commanders also can set the limit at 21, regardless of the foreign laws, at their discretion.
Are military people allowed to drink?
Although military personnel are discouraged from drinking as they risk deployment, some drink in groups to celebrate combat victories in social settings, or alone to mask trauma. As more and more alcohol is consumed, a dependency may develop.