Solution to The Military's Recruitment Problem: Allow Men to Join!

[ThomWV]

Older men that is.

Looking at a photograph in someone's signature line the question occurs to me, if the Bush administration's military is having such a hard time finding young people to sign up why not do away with the maximum age restrictions and tap that vast pool of willing older men?

I believe 26, or something close to that, is now the maximum acceptable age for a new recruit. Why not raise that to 50 or more so all those guys who missed out on military service in the past but now boast of their love of country and willingnes to serve can have their shot at it?

The thought of this actually happening almost brings this old Vet to tears with laughter of course, but still? I offer it up as a serious proposition. Raise the maximum first enlistment age to at least 50. See if that helps.

[Jacobin]

1. They already raised the age limit

still not working.

[bettyellen]

2. and they're forgiving the hard drinkers and subsatnce abusers they

would normally toss out well as people who try and get kicked out by gaining lots of weight.

[BiggJawn]

3. 39 for the "Reserves"....

"Hey, Sarge, what makes us 'Reserves' diferent? We still get shot at for 2 years at a crack..."

"Well, Pops, it's like this: your pay is less, your bennies are less, and your wife back home is having to sell her ass to get enough cash to keep the house. Any more questions?"

[rateyes]

4. Can't remember where I read it but,,,

I think they raised it from 35 to 38. Whew! I'm 45.