[SandRat]

ARMY Retread Story

[middie]

The barriers put in place by the services to prevent a retiree from coming back on active duty are monumental. Many of us who did 20 to 30 years and acheived command level rank are traditonally and vigorously prevented from getting back on active status, even as a 'back-fill' officer (a stateside assignment that can free-up a younger active duty type for overseas combat assignment). The personnel dudes simply want to avoid the massive paperwork with the retired finance sections and the active duty operational types have a pathologic fear of experienced senior officers getting into the command and support chain and thus hindering their own advancement.

A local dentist from around here was recalled because the Army needed a dental surgeon. But no color uniform wants an old throttle pusher, JAG or battle staff planner or member. Of course they're right. War is a young man's vocation irrespective of the experience; probably outdated any how---and besides, most of us couldn't even live through a routine 5K, sit-up and pull-up PT test.

[jscottdavis_for_48th_district]

PFC Fusco;

Thank you for this thread. We old guys can still fight! I am former U.S. Navy and enlisted at the age of 33.

In fact, my father had returned to duty many years ago after being out for about 15 years.

Regards, J. Scott Davis