[JRandomFreeper]

at the height of their physical and mental powers.

Physical and reflexive powers maybe. Mental? Mmm. no.

I remember reading stories about young teens in battle from the War Between the States. Am I proud of my (then) 17 y.o. for signing up? Yes. Did I want them in harm's way? No. But, I signed.

/john

[spitz]

I would expect that their “height of mental powers” is more likely to be the ability to learn and follow orders.