| U.S. Representative Jack Kingston- a Republican from | | | | legislation will prohibit the consumption of alcohol |
| Georgia, has introduced a bill that would lower the | | | | anywhere other than designated establishments on |
| drinking age to 18 at domestic and foreign military | | | | bases only. |
| bases. This proposed legislation would allow these | | | | If it is determined that a certain soldier is not drinking |
| individuals that are under 21 to drink beer (3.2 beer - | | | | responsibly and is a danger to others - he/she should |
| although most domestic beers are a minimum of 4.6 | | | | be court-martialed on the grounds that he/she is |
| percent alcohol) at base restaurants and clubs only. | | | | immature and not mentally sound to handle the |
| I agree with Sheila McNeill (the Navy League's former | | | | responsibilities that come with serving his/her Country |
| national president) when she says - | | | | - after all, if one cannot control himself, how can he |
| "If you are responsible enough to be willing to | | | | be trusted with the lives of others? |
| sacrifice your life for your country, you should be | | | | Representative Kingston goes on to say that |
| able to drink alcohol. They should not have to sneak | | | | "unofficially" there is a lot of support by military |
| around and do it." | | | | leaders to get this bill approved; however, "officially" |
| I have always felt and will continue to believe that if | | | | they are hesitant to speak out. Why do you suppose |
| our youth is willing to join the military and sacrifice his | | | | this is? Can you say that JUST those that are under |
| her life for our Country then he/she should be | | | | 21 AND in the military can drink? What about those |
| afforded the luxury of drinking alcohol in a responsible | | | | that are in the Army National Guard where "Guard |
| and respectful manner. There is nothing wrong with | | | | Soldiers are just as likely to serve in their home |
| our servicemen and servicewomen alleviating stress | | | | communities-just one weekend per month, and one |
| by drinking a couple of beers while they watch a | | | | two-week period each year". Are they allowed to |
| game or play some cards. | | | | drink too? |
| Representative Kingston says he will combat potential | | | | I am beginning to wonder if this is more a marketing |
| problem drinkers by enforcing strict rules regarding | | | | ploy to get more individuals to join the military and |
| obtaining a designated driver and take steps to | | | | what about those that are not in the military? How |
| ensure proper conduct while in public. In addition, | | | | long is it before Legal Drinking Age is uniformly 18? |