If the military age wasn't 18, there would be a lot of young people getting out of high school with no where to go. The military gives some of them the first real disipline and training in their lives.

As for the drinking age, I remember when it used to vary from one state to the next. The the MADD (Mother's against drunk driving) movement kicked into high gear and lobbied that the national age be 21.

One thing to ponder - when I was in my late teens and early 20's, taverns did not check ID as much as they do today. Also, the drunk driving laws were much more lenient (I'm glad they are tougher now), so that a first time offender got a slap on the wrist. The term "designated driver" didn't even exist.

Inexpereinced drinkers and inexperienced drivers are a bad combination.