Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Gunslinger on March 21, 2005, 09:20:34 PM
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Anyone interested in correcting the regret of not joining?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151082,00.html
Army Ups Enlistment Age to 39
Monday, March 21, 2005
By Sharon Kehnemui Liss
WASHINGTON — The maximum age for new recruits joining the Army Reserve (search) and National Guard (search) has been raised by five years to 39.
Officials for the U.S. Army (search), which is struggling to meet enlistment quotas following two years of war in Iraq, announced the policy on Friday. They said raising the age expands the recruiting pool and strengthens the readiness of Reserve units. Another benefit, the Army said in a statement, is the "maturity, motivation, loyalty and patriotism" older recruits will bring to the service.
Physical requirements will remain the same for all recruits regardless of age. Army spokeswoman Maj. Elizabeth Robbins told FOXNews.com that the older recruits will be required to pass the same "standard batter of physical, mental and cognitive tests" and would be expected to enter any environment expected of younger soldiers.
There are many "physically fit, health-conscious individuals in this [age] category who can serve their nation and they do right now," Robbins said.
The Army National Guard missed its recruiting goal for the 2004 fiscal year and is "short across the board right now" in recruiting soldiers for active duty, Reserves and Guardsman, Robbins said. But she added that recruitment during winter months is generally lower than average, while the end of the school year and summer see a jump in enlistments.
The number of Army Reservists and Guardsman mobilized as of March 15 is 47,000 Reservists — about a fifth of the total enlisted reservists and 108,000 Guardsman, nearly a third of the total in the Army's service. Those mobilized can be anywhere, including the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan or local airports.
The latest attempt to attract recruits is one of several initiatives taken by the Army to boost service numbers. Among other efforts, more recruitment offices are on the street and the service has offered several new financial incentives to encourage enlistment.
Robbins said that the Army expected the higher enlistment age to help it reach recruitment goals, but that no specific numerical goal for the older age group was set.
The test program applies only to new recruits and not those currently enlisted soldiers whose age requirements are determined by federal law. The age increase will run to September 2008. After the end of that period, the Army will "collect and analyze statistical data," including how many enlistments were recruited and how many were retained.
FOX News' Nick Simeone contributed to this report.
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Keyword: 'Reserve'
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Is there a difference between the regular army and the guard nowadays?
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Man just turned 40 2 weeks ago so I guess I missed it.
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Originally posted by Nash
Is there a difference between the regular army and the guard nowadays?
Not much. The guards Equipment is still the Reservs and Actives hand-me-downs so to speak.
The biggest difference is until the guard is federalized they belong to the states gov. He can mobilze his guard for floods and state emergancies.
Beleive it or not alot of the reservists in the more technical fields are actually federal employees. Many USAF jobs require you to join the reserves as well.
Good jobs to get in the guard are the full time ones. All the military bennies with half the military hassle.
Originally posted by Pongo
Man just turned 40 2 weeks ago so I guess I missed it.
not to mention the whole "candaian thing";)
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Nash was making a whatever-the-fudge-the-word-is. The difference between Active Duty, Reserve, and Guards today is negligible since virtually all (I say virtually because of job specs, many may not) will be in Afghanistan or Iraq, or in the immediate US bases in the region. Essentially, "front line".
That above statement has no bearing on my political, if you want to call it that, stance.
I fail to see the "wow" here though, few are physically eligible at that age. EDIT: Actually, I do see the wow. Its less than promising to say the least.
-SW
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Originally posted by Pongo
Man just turned 40 2 weeks ago so I guess I missed it.
Me too, March 6th.
eskimo
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Yup yer right, and wrong.
The reason that the guard's recruiting is way down is because everyone is gonna wind up in the same place. The guard aint what it used to be during 'nam.
I guess what I was getting at is what is the difference, once they all land there? I mean, if I was thinking about joining the guard, I might as well join the army. Prolly better pay, equipment, and alla that.
So why join the guard? That's the "difference" I was wondering about.
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Not much chance of expecting a full career with retirment benefits if entering the Army at such a late stage in life.
Now if only the Air Force recruitment age was upped to 39...
MiG
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Originally posted by Nash
Yup yer right, and wrong.
The reason that the guard's recruiting is way down is because everyone is gonna wind up in the same place. The guard aint what it used to be during 'nam.
I guess what I was getting at is what is the difference, once they all land there? I mean, if I was thinking about joining the guard, I might as well join the army. Prolly better pay, equipment, and alla that.
So why join the guard? That's the "difference" I was wondering about.
The pay is exactly the same....and the benifits are some times better. You get some stuff from the state (in some states) that you don't get from the Fed.
as far as winding up in the same place. that's a big negative. Not all guard units are deploying to Iraq. According to the article only 1/5th of the total guard and reserves are on active duty. Once u are on AD however, the bennies are pretty much the same and there is not much difference.
I see what AKS\/\/ulfe is saying with the "Front line" thing. This is true because of the nature of the military force structure today. Units that are normally garison (IE cooks/air wing) are pulling guard and convoy duty just like the grunts.
So essentially if you enlist in the guard as an Apache crew chief you may or may not deployed. If you are the chances of you carrying a rifle at some point in time are virutally 99.99%.
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Nash,
There is quite a bit of difference between the active Army and the Guard. The Guard gets equipment that is older and less than front line quality. In some cases the state springs for some good stuff and gets pretty fair equipment.
The missions for the guard are first state mandated. Then the Federal missions come into effect when the unit is Federalized. That is placed under Federal orders and essentially taken away from the state.
There are a lot of combat arms units in the guard as the Army made a conscious decision to shift combat arms to the Guard and make the Reserves more in the line of Combat Support and Combat Service Support. That means the Reserve Armor units were deactivated (like my old unit the 8th Bn 40th Armor) as were several of the Infantry units. The original concept was that the active Army needed those support units only on a large deployment and therefor would save money by keeping them a part time operation.
The Airforce did something similar when they put almost all their tanker assets into the Guard. I have to give it to the Air Force as they do a much better job of integrating the Guard and Reserves into the Active force.
If you are really interested in serving I have a feeling your prior activities may be a hindrance to getting in.
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Originally posted by Maverick
If you are really interested in serving I have a feeling your prior activities may be a hindrance to getting in.
Damn! Cuz I'm a CRAZY mothershrecker... Just make sure my boots are tied and point me in the right direction!
Thanks for the info though. :)
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Two Guard kids from my son's high school class just got back. One from Iraq, the other from the 'Stan. They re-upped.
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Originally posted by Toad
Two Guard kids from my son's high school class just got back. One from Iraq, the other from Iran. They re-upped.
Iran?
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Yeah, he's SF in the Guard. He was over there planning the raids on the reactors with the Israeli commandos.
Not really. He was in Afghanistan. Must be late; I edited it and corrected it. Thanks for catching it.
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The subconscious is a wonderful and mysterious thing. :)
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Be glad my subconscious is not in charge then.
Sometimes I think Ann Murray and Celine Dion are causus belli under just war theory and my subconscious writes that out.
Oops. It just did.
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Oooh, big bad (but justified) Canadian slight from out of nowhere.
Hurt me.
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You'll be sorry when the Donner Kebabs are all replaced by even more Mickey D's!
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I don't know what a Donner Kebabs is.
But it is a vast country.... and people, just generally as rule, tend to eat all kinds of weird stuff.
But we're saturated already with the arches. As vast as this great country is, I think there is a bright and shining golden "M" visable from every possible vantage point.
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(http://www.13th.co.nz/Images/Dads%20Army.jpg)
Nuff said!:) ;)
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Well, I'm a year past the deadline, but with a little arm twisting and 13 years I could finally get that military retirement I missed out on the first time :)
Charon
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Seems like there was one on every corner of every city I visited there.........
(http://www.24sata.info/slike/thumbovi/20040608114842_doner_kebab.jpg)
But if Mickey D has taken over that much Real Estate there, we can probably move Canada down on the list.
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Is that a seal that guy is carving up?
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nope its a delicios stack of ground and seasoned lamb.
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Generally goes by the name of "Gyros" when South of the Doner Kebab line.
Saw it first in the flea market in Athens. Goooooooood stuff.
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Originally posted by Nash
I don't know what a Donner Kebabs is.
Imagine a Hamburger having taste *
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doner_kebab
Gyros is the greek version.
Like for Raki don't say it's greek to a turc and vice-versa :)
*gniark gniark gniark ;)
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mmm....gyros.
There was nothing like a gyros after a night of hard drinking when I was stationed in Germany.
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Originally posted by Rolex
Keyword: 'Reserve'
They still go into combat..
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are reserves like the TA in the UK?
Part time soldier, full time telling you about it!!
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Originally posted by thrila
are reserves like the TA in the UK?
Part time soldier, full time telling you about it!!
sort of...with more attitude apparently
(http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/66_1080942653_oneweekendamonth_edited.jpg)
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Well I have until Sept. 2008 to get back in shape. It's going to be tough, maybe this will motivate me sufficiently?
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Huh, that's a thought. I did 8 years in the Air Guard, am 35 and wouldnt mind re-enlisting to make 20.
Wonder if that boom operator opening is still available over here ;)
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Those are mostly out east Toad. Montreal, Toronto have tons of places that serve that style of meat. Out here in the west (I believe Nash is from Calgary) they are much more rare. Mc D's are everywhere.
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hmmmm....Beef kebab with BBq sauce and cheese....
Tronsky
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Can't be long before they start asking to begin the draft again imo.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/07/22/army.recruiting.reut/index.html
"Faced with major recruiting problems sparked by troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon has asked Congress to raise the maximum age for U.S. military enlistees from 35 to 42 years old.
You coach-hawks can finally ditch the "I would but I'm too old and they won't take me" excuse.
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So westy how long have you served?
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When I was in basic the oldest guy in our platoon was 28 (I was 21) and he was ****ing ancient :)
Charon
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"So westy how long have you served?"
4 years active and 2 reserve. The standard issue enlistement ending with an honorable discharge too.
How long did you? How are old are you now? But more important what is your point with that question?
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Originally posted by Westy
You coach-hawks can finally ditch the "I would but I'm too old and they won't take me" excuse.
I've been trying to get back in since 9/11. Even with this, I'm still "too old".
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Gotta have alot of knee suregery work done to get ready for enlistment status. I turn 34 on Sunday and for me I wouldn't do anything less than head for the 20th SFG that is based here in Birmingham, AL for my Reserve committment.
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Wish I could help ya ;) But I'd imagine it's easier for 16yr olds to pass for 18 than it is for older to look younger.
Still.... Considering the high demand and desperate recruiters with missed quotas perhaps a dab of white-out on the old papers could make it do-able? Or a few Ben Franklins could help a clerk make a "typo"!
I believe that you would go back in Toad. And I can respect that. IMO you seem to be the type that would back up what you say and believe by deeds and not mere hot air. On the other hand there are many who are "all talk"
(as are quite a few here on the AH ubb) and they'd not even consider rejoining let alone enlisting for thier first time.
Good luck with the knee surgery Reschke. I have nerve damage in my right knee from playing hockey back in high school. I'm a bit squeemish to say the least when it comes to the knee and doctors.
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There's not going to be a draft.
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I'll be 36 in a couple of months, and I'd join in a heartbeat if they'd have me. Unfortunately the same thing that kept me out when I was 17 keeps me out now. I'm medically disqualified from service. Was all I wanted to do out of high school.
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Originally posted by Westy
"So westy how long have you served?"
4 years active and 2 reserve. The standard issue enlistement ending with an honorable discharge too.
How long did you? How are old are you now? But more important what is your point with that question?
24 years
52
The point is the way you posted earlier was tantamount to saying everyone who thinks the war is correct, proper or in any way not improper now should fear serving.
You coach-hawks can finally ditch the "I would but I'm too old and they won't take me" excuse.
Like Toad, I called and asked to come back right after 9/11. Even though I'd been retired only little over a year I couln't get back in. Now I'm over the mandatory retirement age as well.
Some of us aren't worried about going back, we want to but can't.
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4 yrs when I was 18-22 was enough for me. Im 40 now so I guess I fall into the "old man" catagory. Fine by me :)
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In two weeks, I'll be 42. By now, the evidence from 3 knee surgeries is well hidden. I can fake my way through a lot of medical exams. But I'm still 3 years over the limit.
They said no back in 1980 when they looked the 1st time. I screwed up by not accepting the offer of an appointment to the AF Academy (one of Dad's friends was a senator) because they told me I still wouldn't get to fly because they could see the scars, and I was 6'2" and 225#, they didn't want pilots that big, or so I was told. They could still see the scars in 1990-91. The examining doctor said "Son, we make our own problems with injuries here, we don't need yours."
I could probably pass the physical (I passed an FAA physical AND other physicals recently to renew my competition license for racing) if they didn't look too close at the knee. But I'd need 90 days to get into decent shape.
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"The point is the way you posted earlier was tantamount to saying everyone who thinks the war is correct, proper or in any way not improper now should fear serving."
Not everyone. Only those who would hammer out diatribes and the party line on a keyboard at home while others are off to do what these couch-hawks don't have the balls to. As well as those who've never been in the service and never sought the chance but who now have the chance to actually put thier money where thier mouths are.
But don't eat too many doughnuts. I think you and Toad will get your wish. At the rate things are going for recruiters (and since lasersailor184 says there won't be a draft) they'll probably lower the age to 16 and raise it again to 52. A veritable Volkssturm.
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Well, we're halfway there. All that's left is to raise the *minimum* age to something halfway adult in nature.
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Originally posted by Pongo
Man just turned 40 2 weeks ago so I guess I missed it.
Have you ever served active duty before?
edit: That question sounded pointed. It wasn't. My reason for asking was when fixing the maximum age for enlistment, you subtract your active duty time from your current age. Therefore, a person 40 years old with 4 years active duty is 36 for enlistment purposes.
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Nice little dig there westy. You want to make any other little personal attack.
I'd welcome the oportunity to go back. Somehow I doubt they will get to that point, but no matter what, I'd know that I'd see you in line behind me. Probably way behind me.
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Originally posted by Martlet
Have you ever served active duty before?
edit: That question sounded pointed. It wasn't. My reason for asking was when fixing the maximum age for enlistment, you subtract your active duty time from your current age. Therefore, a person 40 years old with 4 years active duty is 36 for enlistment purposes.
Really? Let's see... 43-10=33!
I could go back in!
Not bloodly likely though... unless I can find a way behind the stick on a LongBow.
:D
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Even subtracting I'm still out.
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That's it, I'm joining!!! :)
Got 7 1/2 years until retirement. After I retire they couldn't drag me back with a million dollars and gov't subsidized daily beer and sex rations.
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There wasn't any personal attack in my post Maverick but if you wanted one I guess it was there to be found.
And no. You would never, ever see me in any line while the current administration, or one descended from it, is giving the orders.
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All a matter of perspective, Westy. I would never, ever want to go through the shortages and substandard training due to fiscal limitations of the previous admin again. Then, there was that Balkans tour while under UN command....nope, never again.
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me I'm almost half way there.
I got 5 years AD in the USMC. 1 year AR in the USMC and now 3.5 years AD in the USAF.
I got about 10 years left till retirement I'm currently 28. I think I'm doing well.