Too young for a beer, yet old enough to die

This is a topic that has been walking around my mind for quite some time. Let it be known that by all means I am not a drinker nor do I believe in encouraging the consumption of alcoholic beverages at any age; however, to me this whole you can go to war but not drink yet kills me.

It is unbelievable how the army can recruit young people right out of high school and encourage them to join the team of brave men and women who would give their life for their country. In my humble opinion it is absurd that we believe a young man to be mature enough at 18 years old to leave his home, hold a weapon and kill the enemy when he cant even hold a beer and enjoy a little American football beverage. Now I am not saying that we should allow 18 year olds to drink or only 18 year olds who go to war. What I AM saying is that our view is a bit distorted to think that at 18 you can decide to place your life at risk by going to war, but we can't trust you with a shot glass in your hands because you are not mature enough and might kill somebody by driving irresponsibly or something like that. You mean to tell me that immature teenagers are fighting for our country and we are trusting them with massive weapons so they can kill to defend us? If we trust them with a gun to destroy lives in the name of our country, why should we not trust that they will make a sensible, balanced, and smart decision regarding alcohol?

The army pays for college (assuming you make it alive) that is wonderful! How about we offer incentives such as grants for kids that stay off alcohol or do not have DUIs! Better yet, how about raising the age men go to war to 21, at least they are out of their teenage years. I believe that if an individual who is considered an adult is willing to die for his country the least they deserve is the right to decide weather they want a beer or not. Hey, the way I see it as long as they are not shooting under the influence let them live a little, better yet, give them at least until they are 21 to consider them apt for war.

We are losing more people to war than we are to drunk driving. Instead of investing money in fighting for senseless reasons maybe the money should be spent educating individuals on why they should want to stay off alchocol even if they ARE old enough to drink it.

You are old enough to die for America today, but that Buweiser will have to wait. Some things just make no freaking sense.

Daylin H.