An old guy would like your opinion
 

All,

I know this discussion board is full of eager new hopefuls (I am one of them), so I decided to ask a few more experienced folks before I posted, and they said go for it.

I am a 29 year old prior service dude, Combat Engineer was my enlisted trade. I then decided to go to college, and will commission at the end of this year. I decided to branch IN in the National Guard. I understand that you must be 1Lt(p) to go to SFAS. By the time I reach this milestone, I will be in my early to mid thirties.

So now comes my question. I would like to hear from some of the "been there, done that" guys who have served with some guys with a few more years under their belts than the new X'rays coming in (nothing against the X'rays). I am not requesting a pep talk, or asking you whether I should do it or not, because I have already made up my mind that I am. What I am asking is for your perspective. I deeply respect the knowledge of the NCO's and officers of your brotherhood, and I am asking for a little nugget of that knowledge with respect to my situation. If you have anything to share, I am all ears. Thanks in advance!!

Spend your 2LT time learning how to be a good Infantryman. Then research what Special Forces is all about and decide if that is the career path you want to take. Age should not be a problem, if you are physically fit. Wisdom and maturity are important.

I was 26 when i went through the course (1980). Hardly a spring chicken but neither an old goat. Being a bit older you are automatically looked to as the unofficial leader of the young ones. It can be an awesome experience and your character will show through for all to see. You will be expected to work harder than anyone else and when you come through the rewards are great. You may not realize it at the time but when a team mate comes to you later in his career and tells you that your determination and drive is what motivated him to complete the ordeal it is not only the highest compliment but very uplifting.
At the time I did not truely appreciate my position but now that I look back I am even more impressed with me than I was back then :). Keep your motivation high and be the example gramps. They have changed CMc to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs in the showers so you will feel right at home.

I saw guys of all age groups attempt and either succeed or fail - it's an individual thing and you must be honest with yourself about it when the time comes.

CSB gave good advice.

FWIW - our Group CSM was in his mid-40s when he left to attend Ranger School enroute to be the CSM for the 2nd Ranger Battalion - he asked for nothing and they gave him nothing - he was the Distinguised Grad of his class.

Richard's $.02 :munchin

I know several guys in the Q course with me who are 35+. Been through SUT, SERE, Language and in the Delta course now.
They would say don't use your age as an excuse.

SFAS age 34, graduated Q age 36. My two best buds are a month or so younger & a little over a year older than me. We all went to SFAS & the Q within months of each other. None of us had any problems related to age.

x/S

This age thing gets asked at least every 2-3 months.

How about you use the Search function and tell me what the advice is before posting any more questions?

TR

Thanks everyone for the info. Reaper, you are correct, thanks.

Agreed. Age is nothing but a number. At 36 I can still run circles around some younger Soldiers. My mistake was waiting to long. Promotions came quickly for me. Before I knew it I was an E-7 with too much TIG, and every SF recruiter I talked to told me that there were no waivers for guys like me. I understood the thought process, laced up my boots and moved on. I've decided to take a different path out of conventional forces, but if I could do it all over again things would be much different. My advice to anyone considering going to selection is to not sit there and ponder, but start preparing yourself mentally and physically, jump on the first opportunity and just get it done. Otherwise you'll always wonder what could've been.

BF..... Please read this and all other Forum Stickies......
The person that ask the question should be the only non-QP to post there...

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...ad.php?t=22758

Read more and Post less for a while.......