Let them have a drink WITH THEIR FOLKS AND FRIENDS before they deploy....not out in bars getting stupid drunk and then causing havoc on the roads!!! All of our soldiers deserve a huge pat on the back, especially those that are going to be in harms way!

I say either everyone 18-20 can drink, or no one. Yes, it is ridiculous that someone in the military cannot have a beer before deploying, by why should they be singled out for an exemption, especially when they voluntarily joined?

And furthermore, if one is an active military member at age 18, 19, or 20, would it not make since that many of their friends would also be of the same or similar age? Assuming they are (which I think is a fair assumption to make), these under 21 friends would probably like to wish their friend off alongside other under 21 military members and 21+ family/friends, and in doing so, would most likely share in a toast, at a minimum, making their actions, and by association, the host/party as a whole, illegal.

The 21yo minimum drinking age was instituted due to the larger amount of motor vehicle fatalities from when the min. age was lower (18). The better idea would be to lower the min. age to 18 for all, let parents do their jobs and educate their children properly, and maybe start actually teaching our children to drive properly and responsibly instead of having them take the car around the block as the only qualifier to obtaining their license. This seems to work well elsewhere, perhaps it's worth a shot here, too?

As a retired Army Sgt I say no. Being military and on Active Duty an under 21 person is just as stupid in their drinking habits and conduct too as a civilian. I entered the service in RI and I was 18 and had to live with it (the law). All the reasons given to allow it are just BS.