[MrLucky1966]

I don’t see that 17 y/o as a ‘child’, although I understand that’s how the law see it. Not much in between.

I'm the same way. My father entered the Army on his 17th birthday in 1954 and soon after basic training, was sent to Ft. Knox to guard the gold and later onward to Camp Casey in South Korea. Of course, my grandmother had to sign but if a 17 year old can carry an M3 Grease Gun and later an M1911A1, that is not a child. My father was a photographer in the Army, even though he was a Private First Class, he was able to carry a sidearm because of all the photography equipment and cameras he had to carry.

[lee martell]

I’ll bet your Dad had a couple of good stories about his time as a photographer in the service.
Back then, they needed a dark room with the tubs full of bleach and other rough smelling chemicals.
Had to worry about exposed film and all that.