MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Drinking on Duty: Rules Concerning Alcohol within the Military

Soldier drinking

January 27, 2016, by Brooke Chaplan – Many years ago, military officers in all branches of the armed services were able to consume alcohol at any age. However, rules concerning alcohol within the military have significantly changed over the years. Several decades ago, a bill was passed that raised the minimum drinking age for all military personnel. As of right now, the legal drinking age for all military bases located in the United States is 21. 

In other countries, the legal age for military officers to consume alcohol may differ. The drinking age in several European nations and other foreign countries is 18. Most American military bases located in other countries tend to obey that country’s alcohol laws. However, the commander of the U.S. military base has the overall say. If a commander wishes to uphold America’s drinking laws in another country, they have the power to do so. 

While the drinking age can change for military officers when located in other countries, several senators have voted to lower the legal drinking age for military personnel all together. However, the legal drinking age is unlikely to change anytime soon. Nonetheless, there are other strict rules that military officers must obey if they are going to consume alcohol. 

In 2012, the Marine Corps’ limit for on-duty drinking standards were significantly lowered. In fact, one alcoholic beverage could cause a marine to land in hot water with his or her commander. Breathalyzers can be administered at random, and a result of only 0.01 percent would lead a soldier to counseling. The laws are so incredibly strict, and the punishment only increases with the amount of alcohol detected in a marine’s system. 

The Marine Corps are not the only branch of the military that has set strict alcohol laws over the years. In fact, the Navy, Air Force, and Army do not allow an alcohol reading of 0.05. Failure to stay within the legal limits can lead to a dishonorable discharge. Furthermore, the government dismissal will stay on a soldier’s record forever, and just a couple of beers at dinner could ruin someone’s reputation for ever. According to DWI experts at Buford & Gonzalez in Austin, this is in contrast to the 2000 federal law which adopted a .08 limit in most all states for increased highway funding.

Not only are the alcohol limits ridiculously low for military officers, but all soldiers can be subjected to random breathalyzer tests. Some branches of the military even require commanders to administer mandatory breathalyzer tests daily. With drinking limit so low, it’s a wonder why any military officers would drink while on-duty in the first place. An honorable military career could potentially be ruined by just a few glasses of wine.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.

Comments

Filed Under: Community

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Baltic States Pledge to Meet NATO’s 5% GDP Military Target

JULY 27, 2025 – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held an enhanced honor cordon and quadrilateral meeting at the Pentagon, welcoming Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Sprūds and Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė. During the meeting, the Baltic states pledged to meet the target of 5% of their gross domestic product for […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • Baltic States Pledge to Meet NATO’s 5% GDP Military Target
  • DoD Moves Forward With PCS Overhaul
  • Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration
  • Coast Guard National Security Cutter Returns
  • USNS Comfort Arrives in Limón, Costa Rica
MAINMENU



Powered by pixfuture


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.