Open letter to President Bush, Rush, Hannity, Congress, Freepers re military requirments.

Oct 20, 2004 | tame

[Americanwolf]

I know the feeling..spoke to a recrutier they won't touch me till I get my weight down and am off BP meds for a couple months.

[bayourod]

If you're willing to drive a gasoline tanker truck you're better than some younger ones we now have. Good luck.

[tame]

thank you :o) would you support legislation to let older kids like me into the military?

[Edison]

There are many jobs in the service that do not require you be fleet of foot of sharp eyed so why not allow others who are perhaps over the combat enlistment age to join in other capcities. I believe in WWII the cutoff was over 40. Perhaps 45 if you were single.

FWIW, I was very active up to 40. Surfing, skiing and desert motorbikes. I did not feel I was too many steps behind the young guns and definitly able to contribute to the cause.

Edison

[afnamvet]

39 my butt. I'm 50 with prior service, USAF 72-76, I want to serve too. I'll clean toilets or carry an M-16. I don't care I just want to serve again!

I turned 57 on the 10th. Blind in my right eye and disabled but I can blow the balls off a flea at 50 yds with my 9mm and good eye. USAF 66-70.

[Americanwolf]

I have sent stuff in on this before.

I think some of our "more seasoned" people would be a boon to the military. The expirance that age can bring to a situation is as important as the vigor and tough as nails attitude of youth.

[tame]

thanx for that info, sarge :o)

What do you think of raising the age restriction during this time of war? any reason it cannot (or should not) be done?

[wallcrawlr]

Lt. Col. Repya at 58 is going back.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1225654/posts

[Old Sarge]

Upper limit without prior service is 35 years and 364 days of age.

If you're prior service and coming back in, then we grade it up:

36-38, if 1 year in;
38-41, if at least 2 years in;
Older than 41, 2 years prior plus one year for each age over 40.

Example: I could have waited until I was 44 (I was 6yrs. active, so that's 2 years plus 4 over 40)

[airborne]

Age should not be a deterrent if all pyhsical requirements are met.

[tame]

I think some of our "more seasoned" people would be a boon to the military. The expirance that age can bring to a situation is as important as the vigor and tough as nails attitude of youth.

i agree. in many ways i would be far better "qualified" now than when I was out of high school.

[beckysueb]

My husband has prior service and when he was around 52, they were still trying to get him to sign up in the guards. They promised him easy work if he would just re-op. Maybe you could try the National Guards.

[tame]

36-38, if 1 year in;

can't we just SAY we have one or two years in :o)

[tame]

I believe in WWII the cutoff was over 40. Perhaps 45 if you were single.

hmmmm. sounds good to me :o)

[Edison]

yes, wouldn't that be age discrimination. If you can handle the physical regime why not.

The only problem I see with older people getting in would be their meeting/committee experiences. You should be young and fearless when first joining. Could you see several 40 year olds discussing the merits of taking a building? Not saying they wouldn't, there just might be several discussions about how to go about it.

Edison

[tame]

I too tried, they smiled and shook their head NO. I'm 43, in fair shape but no prior.

there has GOT to be a way. hmmmmmmmm.

[tame]

if i promise you the re-election, can you promise me military service?

[tame]

John, if you get elected then i might decide to choose another career besides the military because...you're a TRAITOR!

[Avalon66]

That's what I understood, as well:

http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/aa082701a.htm

Still, I think Tame makes a really good arguement (tho that particular choice of usernames seems a bit contradictory ;)!)

There SHOULD be a special amendment, to account for war-time military demands. His mention of the draft is an excellent example, and directly negates (or at least deminishes) the need for a draft (aka conscription) program!

I would email / contact my local rep's (but oddly enough, the NC rep's [not discounting Mrs. Dole] are all Dem's). Still, I personally support such an ammendment! Let's hope that the few non-MSM journalist, radio hosts & tv spokesman will pick this up!!

[tame]

Dear Ann,

Could you ask some of your well placed friends to help me? Maybe Syncro :o)