Posted on 12/10/2006 11:12:17 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
PETERSBURG, Va. -- As the World Trade Center rubble smoldered, Sharon Samuel felt determined to do something for her adopted country; she decided to enlist in the Army.
But the Army told the Brooklyn hairdresser she was too old.
"I wanted to serve. I wanted to give back," said the 40-year-old Trinidad native. "I have felt the pain New Yorkers felt."
Samuel got a second chance this year when the Army increased its maximum enlistment age to 42. So, off she went to Fort Lee, about 25 miles south of Richmond, for training in logistical support.
She has joined more than 1,460 people in the 35-to-42 age bracket who have enlisted in the Army and Army Reserve since Congress authorized extending the enlistment cutoff beyond age 35.
The change is part of an effort to help the Army reach its recruitment goals amid an unpopular war and mounting casualties.
It is also part of an effort to become more inclusive, said Col. Kevin A. Shwedo, director of operations, plans and training for the Army Accessions Command, which oversees recruiting.
"The overall population that you're talking about is minuscule, but what we're gaining in terms of experience and maturity and desire is phenomenal," Shwedo said. "Virtually every one of them is called Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, but they bring a special flair to every soldier in that group."
Of the nation's military services, the Army has the highest age limit, with the others ranging from 27 to 34, and up to 39 for reserve components. Most branches consider waivers for those over the age limit who have prior military service.
Many of the older recruits are looking for a lifestyle change.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Media keeps telling us the war is unpopular, but it is not as unpopular as the media is.
I'm all for sending the gard to South Korea (Germany etc) and sending the soldiers from there to Iraq/Afghanistan.
The the full time soldiers signed up for the event of war more than the weekend ones.
No offense meant
The problem is, our military is not organized this way. We rely upon Reserves for support and National Guard for combat...plus the missions we have been giving our military are those for which our active-duty regulars are rather unsuited. For example, 19 out of 20 Civil Affairs personnel in the Army are Reservists, who can bring more advanced specialized training than the Army would require in peacetime. IIANM, there is only a single active-duty Civil Affairs battalion, which is stationed at Ft. Bragg, and none in the Marines!
The the full time soldiers signed up for the event of war more than the weekend ones.
In general, for combat missions, I think you're right. But our military has a lot of missions. My brother is an excellent soldier, having graduated from VMI prior to it being watered down, and his civilian experience facilitated the capture of one of Iraq's Most Wanted where active-duty units had failed.
[There are old farts in the military? Who'd of thunk it....]
No! there are p;der warriors who have sacrificed their loives for our country!!! http://sacredscoop.com
????????????????
I would have a hard time with basic again. This time I wouldn't be an 18 year old terrified out of my mind at the drill instructor. I would likely be older than them, and having a hard time not cracking up when they do the bad ass terrify the teenagers routine.
Plus, I am way out of shape and have a baby due in a few months.
Yeh, but let's face it, your name says it all. ;^)
Hey, if our government is really THAT bad and as Prussian as you say it is, why aren't you out there exercising your Second Amendment rights and engaging in running gun battles with the authorities?
Just had to insert that editorial comment...
.
The Words
http://www.Freerepublic.com/~ALOHARONNIE
The Pictures
http://www.RickRescorla.com/The%20Statue.htm
The Heroism
http://www.ArmchairGeneral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24361
.
If the Army gets tired of you and throws you out, try the Coasties, and you can notch a fourth service. I tried for the Coast Guard Academy but failed the hearing physical (years later I figured it out: blocked eustachian tubes from a cold). I managed to pass the Navy Officer Candidate School physical (no cold) and then nearly flunked the draft physical four weeks later (caught cold in the Greyhound reefer on the way to the physical 150 miles away); that's when I finally figured out what had happened to my Coast Guard appointment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.