51-year-old mom holds her own during Basic Combat Training

Fort Leonard Wood Guidon ^ | 2/16/2012 | Melissa Buckley

[darrellmaurina]

Might be interesting to see what the people who think women can't meet military standards think of this 51-year-old with prior service in the Navy -- she did better on her PT than most of the people her son's age in her basic training company.

[fso301]

I thought the cutoff age was something like 39 unless a person had special skills like medical, legal, chaplain, etc??

[martin_fierro]

[Hot Tabasco]

51? Whassup with that? I tried to re-enlist in the Army back in 1991 during Desert storm. At the age of 40, the recruiter told me I was too old, that the cutoff age was 38 or 39, somewhere in that range.

[cripplecreek]

Despite the age gap, 1st Sgt. Byars said Coast was treated just like every other Soldier-in-training.

It depends on what that means. The daughter of one of my friends left the Marines in 2003 because she was disgusted with how differently the females were treated. She said that half of the female recruits who made it through basic training wouldn't have made it at all if they had been males.

[trailhkr1]

she did better on her PT than most of the people her son's age in her basic training company.

Age is really just a number anymore. My GF is 44 and she is in better shape than 98% of age 20 something women out there. She does 5-7 days per week of hardcore lifting and running.

[Democrat_media]

I’ll try to enlist . I thought I was too old also. I’ll the recruiter this story.

[Democrat_media]

I’ll try to enlist . I thought I was too old also. I’ll show the recruiter this story.

[Future Snake Eater]

Everything’s waiverable.

[Mr Rogers]

She met the female standards. Good on her. But I’d bet I could kick her ass in a fight - and I’m 53 & retired.

At her age, she would max out the push-ups with 34. A 30 year old male would need 77. She could max out the 2 mile run with a time of 17:36 (8:48/mile). A 30 year old male would need to run the same distance in 13:18 (a 6:39 mile).

Want another try at proving your point?

[lag along]

I believe that the enlistment age requirements is the age of the enlistee minus years of prior military service. As in this soldiers case it may mean reserves rather than active duty.

[Future Snake Eater]

Might be interesting to see what the people who think women can't meet military standards

You obviously are unaware of the actual issues involved as well as how the Army scores its PT tests.

Try to make your point elsewhere--you won't succeed here.

[Menehune56]

She met the female standards. Good on her. But I’d bet I could kick her ass in a fight - and I’m 53 & retired.

???

[Mr Rogers]

What is your question?

[max americana]

““We had to slap each other in the face. The poor guy that was up against me said ‘I cannot do this, I cannot slap her.’ I told him I would pay for his counseling when we were done. I was slapping him — he finally slapped me,” Coast said. “

*****

(snicker) well said madam’..like that quote in the Warriors’: “one tough chick”

[ssaftler]

She was stunned to learn that as a paralegal specialist...

Would this qualify as "special skills"?

[MachIV]

I was wondering the same thing. Her prior service probably has something to do with it. I think during the Bush Admin it was upped to age 40 for first time enlistees.

[Mr Rogers]

Yeah...that is what combat is like. Slapping each others faces.

YGBSM!

[lefty-lie-spy]

Wow. Can I still joi. The reserves at 41? I’ve always wanted to enlist. I live in Tokyo now, but would love to join the reserves. If anyone knows if this is possible please let me know.

[2 DOGS]

my niece recently completed her basic training at Ft Sill. I was shocked to hear her say there were 3 or 4 in her group that were over 40.