The reason alcohol is regulated while lots of other things aren't (hey, tree-climbing isn't safe either) is because it's easy to regulate and it has easily quan

The reason alcohol is regulated while lots of other things aren't (hey, tree-climbing isn't safe either) is because it's easy to regulate and it has easily quantifiable impacts on those who use (abuse?) it and those around them. "Good judgement" more generally can't be regulated and can't be so easily quantified (or even identified, if you're a politician). And re: 45-year-olds - there are less of them in combat for very practical reasons: a) they've already retired (45-20 is 25, and most people join younger than 25) b) they're promoted into ranks that don't get into direct combat. I think the notion that a 45-year old would have a lower survival rate is just silly, unless you've got some particular set of facts to back it up.