I'll be 'zooming' with an M-16 this winter...and spring...and summer...at 48. And it is a good thing I'm a good shot with a pistol - with the way I shoot an M-16, I might as well skip the ammo and go direct to 'club'!
I've argued for years the ground forces needed more folks. That may be the influence of having 2 kids enlist in the Marines/Army. I'm certain that if you gave the American people a checkoff box for the military on their taxes, that we would have more than enough money to get the job done right.
Just remember that the bullet comes out of the skinny end and you'll do fine. Good flying and Godspeed.