Late 30s aren't too late to enlist

Seattle Times ^ | March 3, 2006 | Alex Fryer

[Non-Sequitur]

Probably kinda hard to find a 40-something who'll take orders from a 22-year-old 2LT (or a 25-year-old CPT).

When I was a 22-year-old Ensign I regularly gave orders to my 40-something division leading chief. And he followed them. I also regularly asked him for advice and just as regularly followed it. Worked out well that way.

[Non-Sequitur]

He's prepared for some "Hey, grandpa" ribbing about that, and about the peace tattoo on his arm.

Is he?

Colonel: Marine, what is that button on your body armor?
Joker: A peace symbol, sir.
Colonel: Where'd you get it?
Joker: I don't remember, sir.
Colonel: What is that you've got written on your helmet?
Joker: "Born to Kill", sir.
Colonel: You write "Born to Kill" on your helmet and you wear a peace button. What's that supposed to be, some kind of sick joke?
Joker: No, sir.
Colonel: You'd better get your head and your ass wired together, or I will take a giant shit on you.
Joker: Yes, sir.
Colonel: Now answer my question or you'll be standing tall before the man.
Joker: I think I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir.
Colonel: The what?
Joker: The duality of man. The Jungian thing, sir.
Colonel: Whose side are you on, son?
Joker: Our side, sir.
Colonel: Don't you love your country?
Joker: Yes, sir.
Colonel: Then how about getting with the program? Why don't you jump on the team and come on in for the big win?
Joker: Yes, sir.
Colonel: Son, all I've ever asked of my marines is that they obey my orders as they would the word of God. We are here to help the Vietnamese, because inside every gook there is an American trying to get out. It's a hardball world, son. We've gotta keep our heads until this peace craze blows over.
Joker: Aye-aye, sir.

[oldsalt]

By the end of WWII, they we're drafting 50 and 60 yr olds.

Yeah,but that was in Germany!

[PLMerite]

"I also regularly asked him for advice and just as regularly followed it. Worked out well that way."

I wish you'd talk to some of these goofball 0-4/5/6's where I work, 'cause they sure think they know more than us civilians. Too bad they can't prove it.

[Non-Sequitur]

I wish you'd talk to some of these goofball 0-4/5/6's where I work, 'cause they sure think they know more than us civilians.

I've got a bunch of Marine O-3's who are that way. The difference is that when I was an 0-4 and 0-5 I did know everything.

[A. Pole]

Lizotte is a stocky guy who needs to lose one pound to comply with the Army weight regulations of 189 pounds for a man 5 feet 10 inches. He lives in West Seattle and works at a furniture store for about $10 an hour. He doesn't have health insurance or a car.

Unmarried, he has three daughters; the two teenagers live in Vancouver, Wash., but he's not sure of the whereabouts of his 9-year-old after her mother moved without telling him.

An unresolved $425 fine for negligent driving in April 2001 is the only thing that stops him from enlisting right now, he said. The Army won't let you use a signing bonus to pay tickets or restitution.

Hmm

[A. Pole]

They should raise the age limit even higher. I know a people in their 40`s who would put a 20 year old to shame, but I guess the military isn`t looking for people just in great shape.

Why not 50's or 60's?

[Army Air Corps]

This sounds like a great idea. I know some folks who would love to join but who had missed their chance when they were kids. There are lot guys in or near their late 30s who'll jump at this.

[PLMerite]

"The difference is that when I was an 0-4 and 0-5 I did know everything."

I bet they didn't plunk you down in a job based solely on your rank with no regard for your background or the nature of the work.

I could tell you stories, but then I'd have to kill you.

[napscoordinator]

Someone morbidly obese like Michael Moore though would have trouble.

Michael Moore would never give up his millions to make 1,000 dollars a month. Plus, I am coming up on 19 years in June and honestly could not imagine starting over. At 36, it is hard enough to listen to seniors much less have to listen to everybody and have to clean the crap off of urinals etc. I give these older guys credit but I hope they are realistic in what is in store for them. It won't be easy. It is much easier being 18 when starting.

[dakine]

Send cash to: dakine...

[dakine]

Still time?

[napscoordinator]

When I was a 22-year-old Ensign I regularly gave orders to my 40-something division leading chief. And he followed them. I also regularly asked him for advice and just as regularly followed it. Worked out well that way.


Being a 40 year old Chief is a he!! of alot differnt than being a 40 year old E-1!!! A bit different situation because being that I am the Chief in your story (36) and have a LT (31) that is in charge of the Department and there is alot of respect from both sides which helps when taking and giving orders. When your and E-1 40 year old getting orders from a 22 year old who most of the time does not respect an E-1 will be much harder for the 40 year old.

[ShadowDancer]

Hell no, I'm harder to control now than I was at 18 and I just don't have the patience for the whole 'court martial' thing.

[Non-Sequitur]

A bit different situation because being that I am the Chief in your story (36) and have a LT (31) that is in charge of the Department and there is alot of respect from both sides

Come on, Chief. You know there is a hell of a lot of difference between an O-3 on his second department head tour and a newly-commissioned Ensign running his first division. When I was an O-3 I gave my senior petty officers a lot of respect and I had been around long enough to earn their's in return. I still cringe about some of the disasters my Senior Chief saved my young O-1 ass from just by being there to keep me from making a fool out of myself.

[Looking4Truth]

Give it time. By the end of WWII, they we're drafting 50 and 60 yr olds. This 45 year old would love to serve again.

[mancogasuki]

Awesome. thanks!