Quote:
Originally posted by Sleepyjack
I went to my first 21st of this year, out of my friends. Anyway, in Australia as 21 year olds we don't actually get anything new in terms of responsibilites ie the ability to vote, drink, get porn etc all happened a the tender age of 18 for us.
As i found out (asking why's 21 so special here? to a few of the older people there), Australians used to have the 21 rule for drinking etc until there was a defiance of logic, in that you could sign up be in the army as a trained and hired killer, but you weren't allowed to drink.
I know that laws state to state in America differ vastly, however i was under the impression that generally Americans have to wait to 21 to drink, but can be hired to kill people at the age of 18 (or even younger?). Is it just me, or is that a little absurd? (unless i've got the rules incorrect?) 
NOTE: i've used hired killer, cause fundamentally that's what the people are, but i realise that it's an extremely naive and crude way of defining them, so i am leaving it to try and leave an impact of my statement? 
Got me? 
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Well, hired killer statement aside, the laws do not vary by state anymore here in the US. You need to be 21 to drink period.
You can join the military at 18 of your own free will but to do it younger you need a waiver from your parents and the government.
I have heard rumors that military personnel stationed within a certain number of miles of the border to Mexico can drink on base legally (ostensibly to cut down on the number of 18 year old soldiers driving back and forth after drinking). Additionally, I think they can drink on base in countries where the drinking age is lower but I'm not sure about that.
I absolutely agree that the 21 year old age limit is bogus. Always have thought that if you can die for your country or help choose who runs it, you should be able to have a drink.