On base it is 18, off base you need to go by the country/state laws.

Not in the Air Force. The on base stores will, and do, card. I got carded on my 21st birthday when I went and bought a bunch of shit, and still do. It's 21 on and off base. The AF leadership are hardcore about underage drinking. Several people I work with have gotten in big trouble because of that. Two people in my shop alone have lost stripes over underage drinking.

I did not know that about the Air force. I know the Army and the Marines allow drinking on base at 18.

Yeah, I had heard that from a former Army Guard Sgt that switched to AF Guard that I went through tech school with.

Edit - About.com has an article about it, located here.

My experience with the army is that you have to be 21 to drink. I know Ft. Bliss used to allow people under 21 to drink, but that changed in May this year. I'm fairly certain they were the last installation to have the 18 year old fight and die so you can drink rule.

OK, it seems that congress forced the military to change. So, I am wrong. Although the marines still allow under 21 drinking. Everyone else was forced to submit to the local state law for the consumption of alcohol.

The only exception to this rule is if the base is located within 50 miles of Canada or Mexico, or a state with a lower drinking age, the installation commander may adopt the lower drinking age for military personnel on base.

My apologies. I feel that for military personal under 21 drinking is fine.

I agree. I think the policy as a whole needs to be overhauled. It's kind of fucked up that you can elect a president, smoke, go to war, etc., yet you can't enjoy a nice drink. I call bullshit.

If you are old enough to die for my country, you are old enough to drink

I think the U.S drinking age should be lowered to 18.

The legal age for most of Canada is 19(with the exception of Quebec,which is 18).


However,I don't see the drinking law's in the States changing anytime soon.

Speaking from the other side of the Atlantic it seems bizarre. Forget about the military stuff, by your laws you can get married and not be allowed to drink at your own wedding reception! ? ?
(insert 'joke about needing to be drunk to get married anyway' here):rolleyes: