Raise the military age to 21 or higher, this has gone too far already.?

Question

Something gotta be done with this war and it seems like there wont be any resolution any time soon. Therefore, for the 18 year olds who are currently planning on joining the military, they really dont know what they're stepping into. I do give them all the honor and encouragement in the world, but for the newer generations forming, this seems like there is some sort of risk involved. Yes, the risk of not seeing your family again, horrible. How should we handle this, without lowering the drinking age.

Answer 1

18 should be the age

Answer 2

A lot of young men (and women) join the military fresh out of high school as an option to help themselves be able to pay for college in the future.  Or, because their grades are not good enough to get into college, and realize they will be paid better, and have full benefits in the military as opposed to flipping hamburgers for minimum wage for the rest of their lives.  Yes, this war has gone on for too long, but you are fogetting that it is not only 18 year olds running around out there.  There are men that have been in for 20 years, and can retire, but are still serving their country with honor and pride... just so you can voice these ignorant comments.  Not every young person is "semi-strong and fast" that is not why they enlisted or why they were accepted into the military.  There are men and women that their strengths are speed,  or physical strength.  Others are intellectually strong, mechanically inclined or problem solvers.  

Of course there is risk to joining... do you think that the difference between 18 and 21 decreases the risk of injury or death?  It doesn't.  A soldier that is 18 faces the same risks as a man that is 30 doing the same job.

There are men of all ages that sacrifice their lives for their country.  It is something that they are aware of when they sign those papers, and of course no-one goes in wanting to be a casualty of war, we need these people.  I give them all of my respect and am proud to know some that went in with their eyes open, and would do it all over again to protect those in our country that can't understand why anyone would want to unselfishly risk their lives to save someone else's.

What does the drinking age even have to do with this?  Are you insinuating young men and women join solely to drink?  Have you ever been to a high school party, or college?  News flash!  Underage drinking occurs everywere and is probably not a reason why many consider, and follow through with enlistment.  The legal drinking age in the military is 21, although of course, like in high school and college campuses, there is underage drinking.  And, if that was a reason, after their initial enlistment was over they would all get out rather than re-upping.  What would the point be?  The "normal" active enlistment is 4-5 yrs or so, so an 18 year old would be 22/23 and legally able to drink.  Why re-enlist and risk their lives?  (Hint:  to protect yours, your family's, friend's and future family's lives).

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EDIT:  Why would it be more devastating to lose an 18 year old than a 21 year old or 30 year old.  If something happened to my husband (28) should I not grieve?  Should I tell his mom he made it from 18 to 28, don't mourn for him, he had a good run?  Any time a parent loses a child, or a spouse their partner, or a sister their brother they will grieve.  Children should outlive their parents... a 70 year old mother should not grieve for the loss of her 45 year old son because he is older?  Geez, stop now.

What do you recommend these young adults do if they can not afford college between high school graduation at 17 and military enlistment at 21?  Sit and work for minimum wage and play video games until the are "older and more informed?"

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Answer 3

everyone should do at least 2 years active duty service in whatever branch they want and at the end either re-up or get out. or just do a good 'ole draft and see how many wussies we have around here.

Answer 4

There also young and dumb.  I think they should raise the military age to 21.  I do believe a lot (not all) join because there afraid of being alone or independent.  I'm not sure.  I have military friends that joined when they were 18.  They are very hard headed and narrow minded.  I think a person has to live a little before they should commit (most of the time for 6 years) to the military.  Living at home with your parents isn't living.  

Answer 5

I would think this generation is more informed about what they're "stepping into" than any before them.

Answer 6

people are going to do what they want to do. stop complaining on their behalf.

nobody is making them join. bottom line...

Answer 7

Yes way more informed thanks to the internet as well as the fact that this war has been publicized more than any other. Seeing how those veterans served at 18 I do not understand your question. Really have you been 18 anytime recently?  

Answer 8

Well, let's see. I was still on active duty in 1980. That year 2,392 men and women in the armed forces died on active duty. Some of them were age 18-21. There were 2,380 active duty deaths the following year. That totals 4,772. The families and loved ones of those men and women who perished grieved at the loss. But, the difference is that no one editorialized or engaged in punditry about those deaths.

There is risk in that younger generation whether we are at war or not. Whether they are in uniform or not. In the year 2006, over 6,000 young men below the age of 22 were victims of homicide in the U.S. Looking at the current casualty figures for that year in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom it appears they might have been at less risk on the streets of Baghdad or Kabul.  

Answer 9

hmm..wasn't going to respond to this but then saw the "but it would be most devastating for a young 18 year old to not return" comment and just had to.  

So you do you think 18 year olds are more valuable than a 20, 30, 40 something father or mother.  Don't you think it is "devastating" for a parent to not return home leaving their child with only one parent.  Death and loss is tragic and devastating no matter who they are.  18 year old do not have the cornerstone of importance in this world. The reality is this war has less deaths than ANY war of this length in US history.  Like others have said people almost run the same risk of dying driving their car.  I personally would rather have an 18 year old join the service and learn a little bit of responsibility than for them to be drinking it up on a college campus.  

Answer 10

If you do that , you had better take away the right for 18 year olds to vote too. And while we're at it, you might as well raise the driving age to 21 too. I mean 16 year olds do a lot of stupid things behind the wheel.

Answer 11

I disagree completely.First let me say that 2 young people my son went to high school with have been killed in auto accidents...in their home state. Doesn't matter where you are or what you are doing when God calls your number it is your turn to go.

Now my main point: Many young people, including my son, have done immeasurable amounts of research before joining the military. His desire to be an "army guy" started before he was 10. His grandfather introduced him to many of his friends that had proudly served during World War 2. He read constantly about the military and even went into a junior ROTC high school. At age 17 he came to his father and I requesting that we sign his paperwork allowing him to become a member of the US Army in the Delayed Entry Program. After many long talks with him, we agreed. When I asked him if he knew what he was getting into he told me, "Mom, someone has to go and do this. And I am going to be one of those guys that can do something."  He would have done it at 18 with or without our blessing. We have come to know many awesome young people today who know exactly what they want to do with their life and for so many it is to serve their country. My Great-great-great-great-great grandfather served in the Civil War at age 15. War is a young person's job and they do it very very well.

We have too few soldiers now to assist all that need help today, instead of decreasing the pool further...I say my prayers every night and kiss my son whenever I can. I don't believe in this war, but I do support all of our men and women who are working to preserve my freedom! Even after my son was injured in Iraq, I believe he is doing what he wanted to do....make a difference. Pray for peace and wisdom for our leaders to find a solution to this and pray for our soldiers who are making a difference in this world, if the liberal press would report all the news and not just the bad stuff, the world would know how much good our soldiers are doing.