Too Old to be in the Armed Forces?

wsj ^ | 12/21/2014 | T Rose

[w1n1]

There are many willing to join the military to fight the radical Jihadists, this includes all ages. Here's someone we came across and heard his perspective. With further adieu, I give you Tony Rose.
"I am over 60 and the Armed Forces thinks I’m too old to track down terrorists. You can’t be older than 42 to join the military. They’ve got the whole thing backwards."
"Instead of sending 18-year olds off to fight, they ought to take us old guys. You shouldn’t be able to join a military unit until you’re at least 35". The rest of Tony's military perspective here.

[rrrod]

Old guy ditto!

[EEGator]

After a certain age, people have a tendency to lose their plasticity...and injure themselves sleeping.

[vladimir998]

One day: http://www.amazon.com/Forever-War-Joe-Haldeman/dp/0312536631/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419207553&sr=1-1&keywords=forever+war

[vladimir998]

But right now: http://www.amazon.com/Old-Mans-War-John-Scalzi/dp/0765348276/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=06GKTHTBNVSGEFARVYR3

[Blood of Tyrants]

Read “Old Man’s War”.

[Squantos]

Yep ..... Most dangerous part of my day is just getting out of bed ....:o)

Stay safe !

[Lazamataz]

I take the opposite view.

War should be waged only by people from age of birth until 5 years old.

If you did it my way, the worst casualties would be rug burns, skinned knees, and the occasional red welt.

Of course, you'd have to deal with the whole 'crying soldier' and 'temper tantrum' thing.

On the other hand, the Terrible Twos would take on a whole new perspective.

[Cold Heart]

LOL

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Well lets up it up to us older ladies as well. We might look sweet and innocent, but as we age we usually take on the attitude that we aren’t willing to take any lot of crap from anyone.

[rabidralph]

LOL!

[Tijeras_Slim]

You’ve been in fine form the last couple days.

Merry Christmas Laz.

[RC one]

I enlisted at 27 and was definitely the oldest recruit in basic training. I figured I had to do it then or I would forever miss the chance. I was still running 2 miles in about13 second and 40 seconds which was above average for the plattoon IIRC. Not too bad for a dude that weighed around 230 lbs.

[AlaskaErik]

There is some merit to this. I was 52 when I went to Afghanistan. As a C-130 loadmaster with over 5000 hours I could get a C-130 loaded much faster than some kid with a few hundred hours. And when I was done loading, the weight and balance would be within limits. And the user units loved having the Air National Guard show up, because instead of giving them reasons why something couldn't be done, we just told them to back up to the ramp and we'd make it fit.

[Lazamataz]

You’ve been in fine form the last couple days. Merry Christmas Laz.

It appears as the world gets crazier, I get saner.

[Bogie]

My problem is that I refuse to take orders anymore.

[faithhopecharity]

Older folks mostly can’t meet the physical demands of regular soldiering but can genuinely contribute a wide spectrum of useful skills in non- combat roles. It sure would be nice If the military would allow this. And it would strengthen America ( just think of computer, engineering, managerial skills, also medical cryptographic etc etc). We are losing a tremendous amount of ready, willing, and able talent that could help defend our country and allies in major ways. Just saying that the age limit is very harmful - put willing and capable old geezers into non- combat units specializing so as to take full advantage of their skills ( some of which take many years to acquire and master anyway). National defense is no longer limited to foxholes or marine landings

[TADSLOS]

I’d like to have the government uniform contract for that all baby military. I’d be constantly filling replacement orders for larger uniforms.

[faithhopecharity]

Another way older citizens could help defend USA would be In Teaching various skills and knowledge to the younger fit soldiers sailors abd airmen. Just because a person is old doesn’t mean he couldn’t teach math, English, engineering, nursing , and many more needed things Some older Americans have many years successful teaching experience , too. Why don’t we let them help defend our country by contributing to the military in these ways? ?

[ansel12]

The writer is mocking the idea, it is a joke column.

“If captured we couldn’t spill the beans because we’d forget where we put them. In fact, name, rank, and serial number would be a real brainteaser.”