Army Likes Its Older Recruits

Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) pointed me to a Washington Post story that comes just in time to boost my confidence. I'll have to clip this out and keep it handy for when the Drill Sergeants inevitably nickname me grampa when I get off the bus reception week:

"The overall population that you're talking about is minuscule, but what we're gaining in terms of experience and maturity and desire is phenomenal," Shwedo said. "Virtually every one of them is called Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, but they bring a special flair to every soldier in that group."

I don't know if I'll match Pfc. Covington in besting his class, but I know I won't be at the bottom.

"They have the college-aged mind and the high school mind," said Pfc. Caroll Martinez, 42, of Kansas City, Mo. "I'm so beyond that."

Covington agrees -- especially after being called "Grandpa" by his military peers. But he had the last laugh, receiving the highest fitness score of his entire company in basic training.

UPDATE: Do me a favor, the comments under the WaPo story are overwhelmingly (and sadly typical) hateful leftist drivel. Please add a nice supportive comment if you can by clicking here. You might want to copy your comment to the clipboard before you click submit as mine disappeared because I had to login to WaPo to comment. I just typed it over again.

UPDATE 2: A couple posts in the comments section ask for my recruiting experience up to this point: First off I wish my blog name didn't mislead, it is more of a reference to the U.S. being the "world police" than a reference to my occupation. I'm not a cop.

But to your main question: The army, my recuriter, the guys at MEPS (the entrance processing station) etc. were all great. I was actually a bit disappointed I didn't get more remarks, positive or negative about being older. I was just another recruit. There are also a lot of guys re-joining in their late 30's early 40's who were in for 3 or 4 years 20 years ago.

The best advice I can give you is to google for "army pt" and get in shape. I was surprised at MEPS to see how many guys in their late teens and early 20's were really out of shape. The 3 guys who were bounced right out at the beginning for weight were all about 21.

In order to get into basic training you need to be able to do about [this is approximate] 17 push-ups in 2 minutses and 17 sit-ups in 2 minutes (not non-stop, just within 2 minutes), as well as run 2 miles in 17:30. Ask your recruiter to give you the Pocket Physical Training Guide. I wish I'd gotten it months ago. It is a really great tool for planning a workout for anyone, beginner or advanced. In the meantime, I found this online to use as a reference. Also this thread I found via googleing is informative, page 3 has some workout recommendations.

But by the time you finish basic you will need to get that up to about 40 reps and 16:30. If you smoke, give it up or, in my opinion, forget about it.

I'd also recommend getting the Kaplan ASVAB study guide. It is really great. If you work through it, you'll ace the test and that will follow you through your career. I got a 97, which is really good, and I'm no genius by any means. I got a 40 on the pre-test because I had no clue about the math (22 years since high school algebra). The study guide fixed that in about 45 days.

Also, depending on your MOS (job), basic training will be easier or harder. I'm going for infantry so I'll be held to a pretty high standard, but if you go for language or clerk or something non-combat, they'll work with you until you pass [unless you're hopeless] - they want you.

I'll probably be off-line from mid-Jan through mid-April (or 3 weeks longer if I'm fortunate enough to get into Airbourne training), but check back on the 'blog after that and I'll have updates. Add me to your RSS reader and you'll know when I'm back posting. Thanks for the comments. -Ed

---

Army Likes Its Older Recruits
The Need Is for Numbers, but Maturity Proves Beneficial

By Michael Felberbaum
Associated Press
Monday, December 11, 2006; A17



PETERSBURG, Va. -- As the World Trade Center rubble smoldered, Sharon Samuel felt determined to do something for her adopted country; she decided to enlist in the Army.

But the Army told the Brooklyn hairdresser she was too old.

"I wanted to serve. I wanted to give back," said the 40-year-old Trinidad native. "I have felt the pain New Yorkers felt."

Samuel got a second chance this year when the Army increased its maximum enlistment age to 42. So, off she went to Fort Lee, about 25 miles south of Richmond, for training in logistical support.

She has joined more than 1,460 people in the 35-to-42 age bracket who have enlisted in the Army and Army Reserve since Congress authorized extending the enlistment cutoff beyond age 35.

The change is part of an effort to help the Army reach its recruitment goals amid an unpopular war and mounting casualties.

It is also part of an effort to become more inclusive, said Col. Kevin A. Shwedo, director of operations, plans and training for the Army Accessions Command, which oversees recruiting.

"The overall population that you're talking about is minuscule, but what we're gaining in terms of experience and maturity and desire is phenomenal," Shwedo said. "Virtually every one of them is called Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, but they bring a special flair to every soldier in that group."

Of the nation's military services, the Army has the highest age limit, with the others ranging from 27 to 34, and up to 39 for reserve components. Most branches consider waivers for those over the age limit who have prior military service.

Many of the older recruits are looking for a lifestyle change.

"I was comfortable in civilian life and did that 9-to-5 thing all the time for a long time. I was just in a rut," said 39-year-old Pfc. Randy Covington. "When they changed the age, it seemed like the opportunity came back for me."

For many others, it's the fulfillment of a deep-seated sense of duty.

"When I'd see a soldier walk down the street when I was a small child, they'd look so disciplined, so sure," said Pvt. Aletha North-Williams, a 41-year-old mother of two from Houston. "I wanted that for myself, and it has always stuck in my soul."

Adjusting to the rigors of military life can be a challenge for older recruits -- even for someone such as North-Williams, a former prison guard.

"I know I can't be 18, but I've tried," she joked.

Before shipping off to basic training, recruits must meet physical standards and those 40 and older are given additional medical screenings.

They must undergo the same training exercises as younger recruits.

"A bullet and a bayonet don't discriminate," Shwedo said. "As a result, our training program has to ensure that every soldier is going to be able to outmaneuver, outfight and win on today's battlefield."

As if the grueling physical training is not taxing enough, the older recruits must also deal with barrack-mates whose average age is 21.

"They have the college-aged mind and the high school mind," said Pfc. Caroll Martinez, 42, of Kansas City, Mo. "I'm so beyond that."

Covington agrees -- especially after being called "Grandpa" by his military peers. But he had the last laugh, receiving the highest fitness score of his entire company in basic training.

"You're older, a little bit more mature than these younger kids," said Covington, from Lehi, Utah. "I felt like I just got thrown into a high school."

Still, there are benefits to mixing older recruits with those fresh out of high school or college.

"What they're actually able to do is take some of our younger soldiers and show them some of the things they're capable of doing," said Carlton J. Branch, command sergeant major of the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee. "In a way it encourages the younger soldiers to realize that they can do some of the same things."