Poll: Should the Draft and Military Age Be Raised?

LOL regarding the beer wars. I mean, if I were in charge, this would be how wars were fought.

originally posted by: zosimov
LOL regarding the beer wars. I mean, if I were in charge, this would be how wars were fought.

You wouldn't say that if you'd ever been in one. Stout still gives me nightmares. And I used to drink my uncle's homemade moonshine.

a reply to: VictorVonDoom

War is hell

I appreciate all of the interesting comments/opinions so far, cheers!

a reply to: zosimov

You need a lesson in history.

Before they change the age in the military draft they for sure are going to have to lax up the height and weight restrictions. Have you seen these kids lately they are all lazy ass porkers and I’m sorry cupcake not everyone is smart enough to be a drone pilot like in the video games.

a reply to: cmdrkeenkid

I don't need anything. I'm facilitating a discussion, which if you read into it correctly, doesn't support what you think it does.

originally posted by: AugustusMasonicus

originally posted by: zosimov
You don't fight wars with beer.

If you offered me a Skudweiser there'd be a war.

Nothing but Zima for ATS' finest.

originally posted by: zosimov
a reply to: daskakik

Do you believe that, with training, an 18 year old is perfectly old and responsible enough to handle weaponry?

Absolutely!
In the same breath, I would say I have seen grown ass adults w/ plenty of years under them that are not responsible enough to handle a weapon.....or drink alcohol.....or drive a car.

originally posted by: zosimov
ATS, forgive the minimum content OP. I would like to gauge opinions here regarding minimum ages due to current policy change recommendations.
www.cnn.com...
www.washingtonpost.com...
In my opinion, if we are going to raise the minimum age for purchasing certain weapons, we are also going to have to raise the draft and military age.

Obviously, if a person is not old enough to buy a weapon, he/she is also not old enough to wield it in defense of our country.

I don't think we could raise the age of one without raising the other.

Thoughts?

Lower the age for drinking - enlisted are drinking in the military anyways.

Teenagers have a right to own guns. The Constitution says so. Teens have been fighting wars forever in history.

a reply to: shaemac

I agree with this opinion.

The discussion was meant to highlight the fact that our government is headed right now by the guy who suggested raising the age to acquire weaponry to 21 while sending 18 year olds off to war with similar banned weapons.
It's not a sensible answer to the problem of violence in our schools.

a reply to: zosimov
The rationale for moving the age for general civilian gun ownership from 18 to 21 is that many 18 year olds are not emotionally mature enough to handle the responsibility. In particular, as a group they are measurably more impulsive than they will be when they're a few years older. Also, some fraction of the population have pathological personalities that make them a risk for inflicting homicide on their fellow human beings--regardless of age. The military is selective in who they are willing to allow into their ranks. Less than 1/2 of 1% of the US population is in uniform at any given time. The military takes specific steps to detect and select out the personalities that are likely to become trouble makers when they are given life-or-death responsibilities.

As long as the military is allowed to be selective in who they accept into their ranks, they will have no problem with 18 year-olds.

a reply to: 1947boomer

In particular, as a group they are measurably more impulsive than they will be when they're a few years older. Also, some fraction of the population have pathological personalities that make them a risk for inflicting homicide on their fellow human beings--regardless of age. 

Great argument for not allowing them to vote or drive.

Can I use this for those arguments too?

a reply to: 1947boomer

Then how does one explain the fact that 80+% of the mass shootings are committed by folks over the age of 21?

a reply to: 1947boomer

Also the military is not so selective anymore. Gangbangers and other groups with ill intentions seek out and get military training all the time...

Sounds like a discussion for the elite, not for us.

"How young do you like your blood sacrifice?"

a reply to: CloneFarm1000

Good point. I'll take the beer wars any day. Even if the weapons used are stouts (see above discussion if you haven't already).

18 is old enough for the military.

If we are going to raise age for non-military public to by firearms, then I think voting age should be raised as well. If you aren't mature enough to be a gun owner, then you aren't mature enough to be voting.

It is interesting because Democrats have talked about trying to lower voting age to 16... yet they think 18 year olds shouldn't own firearms.

Lower the drinking age to 11, give them all pistols and let freedom ring!!

Sounds good to me. Raise draft age and weapon age to 21. At least give kids the time to realize what most wars are really about and have the mind to choose.

Most 18 year olds are still very immature and growing up. How many 18 year olds learned about the military industrial complex and all the civilians weve kiled under the guise of terrorism.