by Arjsanell Odom

Created on: September 13, 2010   Last Updated: September 14, 2010

The legal drinking age throughout America is 21. This number has been chosen because scientists and moralists believe that this is an appropriate age. This is an age where many believe that one is wise enough to make their own decisions and is basically seen as an adult. However, the age to become part of the American Armed Forces is 17 with parents’ consent, and 18 without. Once in the Armed Forces, regardless of the service branch, soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen are trained to defend their country in all aspects. Armed Service Members as young as 17, are given weapons, bayonets and combative skills to be fully prepared for war. In recent times, war has been present affecting many young lives. Many have lost their lives before even reaching the age of 21. In America, 21 is the common age of becoming a full adult with 18 just making one legal. But one could join the Armed Forces at 17, technically while still a child.

Before the long wars of Iraq and Afghanistan, the question of could a soldier under the age of 21 drink alcohol was not relevant. However, American citizens are fully aware that the majority of young men and women are currently involved and dying within the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The country is losing more young soldiers than ever. Even if young soldiers survive the war, they come home depressed and scarred with the experiences they witnessed. But let us say that one comes home with no major issues. They are proud of accomplishing high school and serving overseas before the age of 21. But then they ask “what can their country do for them?”

Well, there are plenty of educational opportunities and job opportunities. But there are restrictions to some things because they are not 21. One, obviously is alcohol, especially if they came from a country where the drinking age is 18. Also, gun permits. At the age of 18 one is able to own a shotgun for hunting purposes. However, one cannot obtain a regular handgun until the age of 21. That would not seem right to a 19 year old soldier who has already learned to shoot an M16, 249, and .50cal, weapons that an average citizen has never even touched.

Another issue that is recent is credit cards. There are credit card laws that changed to stop college students from getting into debt. Now the age limit to obtain a credit card is 21. That means young soldiers who came home in the midst of this change have to rely on their parents or others to help them obtain credit if they did not have any before.

There is a long list of restrictions that require the age of 21 that do not make sense to young soldiers who have deployed and return all before the age of 21. So, maybe alcohol is still a touchy subject for most when it comes to exceptions for military citizens. However, bringing up this point helps to highlight how young soldiers are not as appreciated as they should be.

If lawmakers do not want to change the established age for things like credit cards, gun permits, and alcohol, maybe they should consider changing the age that citizens are allowed to join the Armed Forces to help cause less dissappointment among young soldiers.

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