Inspired by soldiers he met as a flight attendant, 40-year-old joined the ranks

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | Bill Hess

[PeteB570]

Ahhh, the induction center at Ft Jackson.

Way to go soldier.

[joesnuffy]

What a far out old man...gotta love him....

Wish I could do the same....


God bless him...

[ansel12]

Now that is a guy that has adventure in his blood, way to go. (it's called voting with your feet)

[joem15]

Male flight attendant becomes a US soldier. Happens all the time.

[Clemenza]

As long as he serves his country honorably, he will get nothing but eternal respect from me.

[TADSLOS]

Good on him. Soldier on.

[68skylark]

Great story!

[lowbridge]

bump

[Diva Betsy Ross]

From Massachusetts.

[AFA-Michigan]

I did this exact same thing at age 32 in 1990 during the first Gulf War buildup, going through basic at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma in November and December. Learned what that song meant about "the wind comes whippin' down the plain." Brrr... First three weeks was physically torturous, but never felt a greater sense of accomplishment than after finishing that final 2-mile run that completed basic. Even at 32, I was "Grandpa" too, and it was kinda sad, kinda funny watching all those 18 year olds get their "Dear John" letters. I swore I'd never forget those guys standing guard somewhere in the world 24 hours a day. God bless and protect the armed services of the United States.

[wolfpat]

If they run the max age up to 50, I'm there.

[68skylark]

Your post brings back memories to me. I also went through basic at Ft. Sill -- it was way back in 1981. At the time I was a youngster of 17. My Guard unit used the old M-114's -- a great system.

Now I've gotten back in to the USAR after nearly 20 years of being out -- and I look like "Grandpa" to the teens in my unit. It helps that I can outrun most of the kids on a PT test -- that way I don't feel quite as old.

[68skylark]

They won't raise the age for federal military service to 50. But quite a few states have state defense military forces that could accept applicants up to 50 or so, if someone is really interested in serving.

These state units are not deployable -- they generally provide admin support to National Guard and other forces within their state. They drill in uniform and are generally subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

To see if your state has this kind of organization, click here.

(I got to serve 9 years in the state defense force in my state, Indiana, before I left them to return to federal service with the US Army Reserve. The state service was great for me, and I'm a big fan of these organizations.)

[OldPossum]

Re your post 2, I gather that you, too, were touched by the gentle amenities of a welcoming ceremony from the kind-hearted sergeants at Fort Jackson's basic training facility.

OldPossum remembers his stay there fondly. Not wishing to go back there, you understand, even if it would peel off five decades.

[wolfpat]

Thanks for the info. If I can get the site to load, I'll check into it. (Their computers may be overloaded with other FReepers).

[Little Bill]

I had a guy in my squad in '68 who was the grandpa at 27, I was a 22 year old SGT and most of the troops were 20-22, the LT was 23 and the Platoon Sgt was really old at 32, this guy even looked old to us.

[Old_Mil]

Male flight attendant becomes a US soldier. Happens all the time.

I'm still digesting the fact that he's married. To a woman.

[68skylark]

I understand that groups like the Civil Air Patrol and the Coast Guard Auxiliary can also use good people. But I don't have first-hand experience with these groups.

If someone is interested in serving, I hope they find a group that's a good "fit" -- I have, and it's a great feeling when that happens.

[Huck]

Don't ask, don't tell!