thedrifter
03-15-08, 09:22 AM
Drinking age raised to 21 on Naval Base Guam
By Stephanie Godlewski - Pacific Daily News
Posted : Friday Mar 14, 2008 14:59:22 EDT
Those under the age of 21 are no longer allowed to purchase, possess or consume alcohol on the Guam naval base.
The new policy began March 10 on base, said Naval Base Guam spokesman Lt. Donnell Evans, but the rules off base remain the same.
“This change does not affect the ability of Navy personnel, employees or family members aged 18 to 20 to purchase, consume or possess alcohol off Navy property in accordance with the laws of Guam,” Evans said. “If sailors choose to drink, it is their duty to conduct themselves responsibly and within the bounds of Navy policy and local law.
“It’s legal to drink on Guam under the age of 21. If a person drinks and comes back on base, unless there is a base violation committed, there is no offense.”
When asked about why the change is occurring, Evans said the base is realigning itself with a Navy policy that’s applied to all other U.S. states and territories. “There’s two policies at work here on Guam, there’s a [Department of Defense] policy and a Navy policy,” Evans said. “In the past, we were operating under the DoD policy and now we’re operating under a Navy policy, which is more stringent.”
Evans said the DoD policy allows bases to adopt the drinking age of the community in which they are located. This is the reason Andersen Air Force Base will continue to let those 18 and over purchase, possess or consume alcohol on their grounds, according to Andersen public affairs.
Those employed by the Coast Guard, however, will have to be 21.
Lt. Marcus Hirschberg, command center chief of Coast Guard Sector Guam, said that because the Coast Guard is a tenant of the naval base, Coast Guard personnel will comply with all regulations set by the base.
Evans said the Navy is working with the Guam community to ensure that sailors ages 18 to 20 who head off base to drink will find a safe ride home.
“Enhanced ride programs will be put in place by [the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation program]. Major commands with ride programs will continue to support all sailors in need of a ride home, as well as increased connectivity between the Navy’s MWR shuttle and local transportation,” Evans said.
The spokesman said community partners, including the Guam Chamber of Commerce, also are involved to make sure bar owners can contact safe transportation if they think a sailor has had too much to drink.
“The Navy is working with the Guam Chamber of Commerce to supply proprietors with designated phone numbers to facilitate a ride home in the event they identify sailors that may need the service,” Evans said.
Ellie
By Stephanie Godlewski - Pacific Daily News
Posted : Friday Mar 14, 2008 14:59:22 EDT
Those under the age of 21 are no longer allowed to purchase, possess or consume alcohol on the Guam naval base.
The new policy began March 10 on base, said Naval Base Guam spokesman Lt. Donnell Evans, but the rules off base remain the same.
“This change does not affect the ability of Navy personnel, employees or family members aged 18 to 20 to purchase, consume or possess alcohol off Navy property in accordance with the laws of Guam,” Evans said. “If sailors choose to drink, it is their duty to conduct themselves responsibly and within the bounds of Navy policy and local law.
“It’s legal to drink on Guam under the age of 21. If a person drinks and comes back on base, unless there is a base violation committed, there is no offense.”
When asked about why the change is occurring, Evans said the base is realigning itself with a Navy policy that’s applied to all other U.S. states and territories. “There’s two policies at work here on Guam, there’s a [Department of Defense] policy and a Navy policy,” Evans said. “In the past, we were operating under the DoD policy and now we’re operating under a Navy policy, which is more stringent.”
Evans said the DoD policy allows bases to adopt the drinking age of the community in which they are located. This is the reason Andersen Air Force Base will continue to let those 18 and over purchase, possess or consume alcohol on their grounds, according to Andersen public affairs.
Those employed by the Coast Guard, however, will have to be 21.
Lt. Marcus Hirschberg, command center chief of Coast Guard Sector Guam, said that because the Coast Guard is a tenant of the naval base, Coast Guard personnel will comply with all regulations set by the base.
Evans said the Navy is working with the Guam community to ensure that sailors ages 18 to 20 who head off base to drink will find a safe ride home.
“Enhanced ride programs will be put in place by [the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation program]. Major commands with ride programs will continue to support all sailors in need of a ride home, as well as increased connectivity between the Navy’s MWR shuttle and local transportation,” Evans said.
The spokesman said community partners, including the Guam Chamber of Commerce, also are involved to make sure bar owners can contact safe transportation if they think a sailor has had too much to drink.
“The Navy is working with the Guam Chamber of Commerce to supply proprietors with designated phone numbers to facilitate a ride home in the event they identify sailors that may need the service,” Evans said.
Ellie