Posted on 06/17/2009 11:02:52 PM PDT by neverdem
FORT SILL, Okla. — Pfc. Shane Dixon is known as Old Dix. Specialist Jason Ness goes by Gramps. Pfc. Christopher Batson’s nom de boot camp is Pops. None of them are over 40, but to the 18-year-old soldiers in basic training here, they are as ancient as a first generation Xbox.
Yet in the three years since the Army raised its age limit for enlisting to 42, from 35, a steady stream of older recruits has joined the ranks, pushing creaky muscles through road training, learning to appreciate — or at least endure — Army chow and in some cases deploying to combat zones.
And while the number of such recruits, more than 3,800, is small by Army standards, the pace of over-35 enlistment jumped sharply in the first months of this year. Motives vary, from a yearning for midlife adventure to a desire to serve their country. But rising unemployment is also a major reason, say Army officials, recruiters and training officers.
“It’s a guaranteed job, as long as you go to work every day,” said Capt. Jared Auchey, company commander of the Army Experience Center in Philadelphia, who estimates that one in 10 of the enlistments at his high-tech marketing office are over 35. “There are no layoffs in the Army.”
The Army recruits about 80,000 soldiers a year, and the older recruits are having an impact even on basic training, Army officers say. At classes here, as many as one in seven soldiers are over 35, and many drill sergeants now look to the older soldiers as mentors, or proxy disciplinarians.
Staff Sgt. Arron Barnes, Fort Sill’s drill sergeant of the year in 2009, said the older recruits tended to bring technical skills and maturity, were easier to instruct and were often more committed than teenage soldiers...
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
This makes a damned lot of sense to me. Logically, it sounds like something that will strengthen the Armed Forces.
I imagine this will be very good for the younger troops.
Old age and treachery can do as much or more than youth and a bad haircut.
He’s from my old outfit - you can tell by the number on his hat.
Someone needs to tell that guy that he can retire.
“There are no layoffs in the Army.”
There is in the Navy. We are having major cuts especially in the E-7 through E-9 area.
Were you in the 69th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division?
And I don't regret a bit of it. :-)
There is in the Navy. We are having major cuts especially in the E-7 through E-9 area.
The Air Force has had a similar predicament. They might be able to join the Regular Army. It's something to consider. Don't forget other components in the reserves.
Wow! Enlistment age is up to 42? If my prior service still counts, I could barely make the window re-enlist!
...But would they really want a guy at my age out there as an E-1???
I was an infantry medic. Even age aside, I noticed big guys, like football linemen and tall guys had knee and ankle problems more than short/skinny guys. Having the pack up higher, longer legs all produce basic physics more stress at ‘stress points’. Not to mention fifty more pounds of muscle might help you bench press a lot, but by and large it is just more weight on you knees and feet as far as they are concerned.
I’ll have to think about it. Besides I would need a few medical waivers since I have had some minor health problems since I got out.
Unless they changed other regulations, prior service still counts for longevity pay. Civilian education also counts for rank. I re-enlisted in the Regular Army as a Private First Class, E3, in 1980. I had been a light weapons infantryman, 11B is the designation for that military occupational specialty, in Vietnam for more than 20 months between two tours. I already had an automatic promotion to Specialist, E4, at eight months because I had a B.S. degree, IIRC. My major was chemistry. Ask if you have a degree in the arts.
Education is highly valued. When I applied for their health professions scholarship program after I became a medical student, they made me a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Reserves. If you can finish med school, then you'll be a captain. Getting into med school isn't as competitive as it once was.
That 69 on his hemet has to be a joke.
I was an E-5 when I was discharged from the Army back in 1972. If I was eligible to re-enlist (not that I am, I’m way too old) and chose to do so, would I have to go thru basic training again and start all over as a a Pvt. E-1?
Does he have hands?
They may not be able to march as long or endure as much punishment, or fight as hard hand-to-hand, but they can still drive, still shoot, still observe, and provide example and inspiraation to younger men.
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