When I joined the Air Force, I was already 21 and able to smoke and drink without issue.  That is not the case for most when they sign up for military service.  The minimum age to join is 18 (17 with parental consent).  So you can join at 18, but can’t have a drink with your fellow service members.  This is where I have an issue.

At 18, you can sign up to defend your country, fight for your country, and die for your country.  You cannot drink though.  Old enough to die, but not old enough to get drunk.  This is one thing I would like to change as President of the Unites States.

I have always felt that active duty personnel (as well as Reserve and National Guard) are not your normal citizen once they sign up.  I am not saying they are better or anything like that.  I am saying that the state of the world and the decisions of government affect them differently. Read more »