Age in the military is of no concern......
As long as you are of legal age to join the service, the govt doesn't care how old you are when they put a pistol, machine gun, artillery piece, tank, jet fighter, or nuclear capable missile in your hands. You are in a very structured environment, and there are enough people around you (who usually out rank you) to generally keep the young men out of trouble.
This is not a foolproof system, and is one reason why military rules for handgun carry include an empty chamber! These same 18-20 year old men in a non-structured environment (civilian life) Are considered by the state to be irresponsible with both handguns and alcohol. And by and large, they are right.
Before 1968 we did not have Federal rules for purchase age, but remember, the that part of Fed law only applies to purchase from an FFL. It is state and local laws that govern purchase from an individual, and simple posession. In many areas, it is actually legal for a minor to posess a handgun while hunting or target shooting. And in some areas, it is legal for a minor to actually own a handgun, provided he gets it legally, as a gift, or a purchase under law (such as from a private sale). Now many local areas have rules on purchase of ammo, and this can be a sticking point for an under 21 handgun shooter, but there are (legal) ways around this as well.
My illustrious military career ended 30 years ago, but back then NOBODY in uniform had any trouble being served on post. Off post, the local laws were whatever they were. Kind of frustrating growing up in a state where the drinking age was 18, and then getting stationed in a state where the legal age was 21!
Of course, overseas, if you are tall enough to see over the bar, generally you get served.
As long as you are of legal age to join the service, the govt doesn't care how old you are when they put a pistol, machine gun, artillery piece, tank, jet fighter, or nuclear capable missile in your hands. You are in a very structured environment, and there are enough people around you (who usually out rank you) to generally keep the young men out of trouble.
This is not a foolproof system, and is one reason why military rules for handgun carry include an empty chamber! These same 18-20 year old men in a non-structured environment (civilian life) Are considered by the state to be irresponsible with both handguns and alcohol. And by and large, they are right.
Before 1968 we did not have Federal rules for purchase age, but remember, the that part of Fed law only applies to purchase from an FFL. It is state and local laws that govern purchase from an individual, and simple posession. In many areas, it is actually legal for a minor to posess a handgun while hunting or target shooting. And in some areas, it is legal for a minor to actually own a handgun, provided he gets it legally, as a gift, or a purchase under law (such as from a private sale). Now many local areas have rules on purchase of ammo, and this can be a sticking point for an under 21 handgun shooter, but there are (legal) ways around this as well.
My illustrious military career ended 30 years ago, but back then NOBODY in uniform had any trouble being served on post. Off post, the local laws were whatever they were. Kind of frustrating growing up in a state where the drinking age was 18, and then getting stationed in a state where the legal age was 21!
Of course, overseas, if you are tall enough to see over the bar, generally you get served.