Should Active Military Be Allowed To Drink Under 21?

A bill is expected to be heard at the State House Wednesday that would make it legal for military service members between the ages of 18 and 21 to drink alcohol in Rhode Island.

The legislation (H 5603), introduced by Rep. Thomas Winfield (D-Glocester, Smithfield) and co-sponsored by Rep. Raymond Gallison (D-Bristol, Portsmouth) would apply to active military members with a valid military identification.  

Last June, Middetown Police issued several underage drinking summons after they responded to a farewell party for a soldier who was deployed to Afghanistan. A 21-year-old and a 22-year-old were cited under the town's social host ordinance. 

Writing from Afghanistan on Tuesday, the solider provided the following statement on Patch: “If I'm getting shipped off to Afghanistan to fulfill my duty as a soldier, willing to lay my life for my friends and other soldiers around me (someone else's daughter, son, dad, cousin), then I think I deserve a drink.”

What do you think?

Should active members of the military be able to legally drink in Rhode Island?

Or should the drinking age of 21 apply to everyone, whether in uniform or not?

Have your say in the comments below.