Yep. We lost our edge, we lost our youth, so we have to use what tools we got left. That’s what makes us old guys so dangerous. We fight dirty.
Cunning, Deception, and Cheating, will always overcome youth and exuberance.
I am a 68 year old Marine now, so I don’t depend so much on strength and stamina any more.
BUT I STILL LIKE TO WIN.
My last 18 months in Germany, I was Battalion S-4. Every field exercise, I'd locate a new private for a special "test", one that was known to most of the NCOs I worked with.
I'd tell that private to go see the motor sergeant and request a "bucket of steam", to steam clean the engine of my Jeep under field conditions. For about an hour, the private would be sent on a wild goose chase.
From the soldier's reaction at the end of the "test", one learned a lot about the soldier. If he took it in good cheer, he likely would be a good soldier. OTOH, a sullen/surly response sent up red flags.
In today's Army, I'd probably be hit with an IG complaint.