It seems strange that Military ID may not be accepted as poof of age when buying alcohol. You may think that Military ID is the most secure form of ID. But for a long time the acceptable forms of ID have been a Passport, European Driving Licence (with photo), and a PASS accredited card.
All the training and literature and signage has been geared to these forms of ID. And many Premises Licences will have conditions endorsed on them insisting on specific accepatble forms of ID, and Military ID is seldom among them, if at all. So the Challenge 21 schemes and the like will not help our young soldiers who are fit to fight and die for our country but cannot use their Military ID to buy a pint. It's a strange world!
But change may be afoot. Perhaps the sacrifices of our young lads (and lasses) is striking a chord of common sense. The British Beer and Pub Association is backing the use of Military ID as an acceptable form of ID for licensed premises. The issue will probably only occur near barracks, but perhaps there should be a recognition everywhere that Militray ID is ok. At the end of the day it is a matter for the management of premises which ID they will accept (subject to any licence conditions), but perhaps it will not be too much of a burden to include Militay ID in training so it can be accepted by bar staff and off licence staff.
It always bemuses me that in this country we can marry at 16 and raise a family and at 17 can go to war and die for our country, but until you are 18 you cannot buy alcohol. As I said it is a strange world.
Nigel Musgrove
Licensing Law Specialist
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