Other Post Man re-enlists at 59 US Army

Mad boomer

Mi Lance corporal
MI.Net Member
Joined
Mar 26, 2020
Messages
32
Points
48
59-YEAR-OLD RE-ENLISTS, HOPES TO IMPART WISDOM TO YOUNGER SOLDIERS
By Luke Ryan | February 26, 2020

Monte L. Gould stood before an American flag in Las Vegas with his right hand raised. He spoke these words in front of a uniformed officer: “I, Monte Gould, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic …”
What separated him from the 18-year-olds shuffling through the recruiter’s office and into the Military Entrance Processing Stations that same day? Gould had done this once before, years prior. Now, at 59 years old, Gould is bringing a wealth of experience with him back into the proverbial trenches.


1586886370528.webp


See the link for more details


1586894374675.webp
 
That’s a nice story, all things considered and assuming he’s lived a healthy life, a nearly 60 year old man can still kick butts, and has more wisdom than ten 20 year old soldiers indeed.
 
That's just amazing!

I'm surprised there was no bureaucratic hurdle to torpedo him stepping up, though. Where I live, the limit is 48 years of age minus the length of your preferred contract. And there's no room for discussion.
 
We're recruiting up to around 55, there are two or 3 jobs that stretch out to 57, as long as they can complete an enlistment period prior to the compulsory retirement age, which is 60 for most jobs.
 
That's just amazing!

I'm surprised there was no bureaucratic hurdle to torpedo him stepping up, though. Where I live, the limit is 48 years of age minus the length of your preferred contract. And there's no room for discussion.

Afaik you are German, so "where I live" is the Bundeswehr.

Then your post this is definitively wrong. You can become a soldier if you are older than 48. I know two "examples", one is serving now as an Oberstabsgefreiter [OR-4] and one as a Stabsfeldwebel [OR-8], both with a 12 year contract. They had prior service, the OR-8 did one tour with ISAF as reserve soldier, the OR-4 was "just" a conscript thirty years ago. The staff shortage of the German army in some fields (e.g. Electronic warfare) is so high that there is a good chance that you can get a job if you have the skills.
If you are older than 40 years - with our without prior service - your case have to be authorized by the Department of Defense not just the 'Bundesamt für das Personalmanagement der Bundeswehr' (Federal Office of the Bundeswehr for human resources) but it is possible.
 
Afaik you are German, so "where I live" is the Bundeswehr.

Then your post this is definitively wrong. You can become a soldier if you are older than 48. I know two "examples", one is serving now as an Oberstabsgefreiter [OR-4] and one as a Stabsfeldwebel [OR-8], both with a 12 year contract. They had prior service, the OR-8 did one tour with ISAF as reserve soldier, the OR-4 was "just" a conscript thirty years ago. The staff shortage of the German army in some fields (e.g. Electronic warfare) is so high that there is a good chance that you can get a job if you have the skills.
If you are older than 40 years - with our without prior service - your case have to be authorized by the Department of Defense not just the 'Bundesamt für das Personalmanagement der Bundeswehr' (Federal Office of the Bundeswehr for human resources) but it is possible.
Thank's for the input. How long has that been the case then? A part of the ominous "Trendwende Personal", I suppose? If so, that's good to hear.
 
I'm not sure how long. 2 years? About the time they started to offer 25 year contracts to OR-4's...

Yes, definitely 'Trendwende Personal' [turnaround personnel]. I know two more cases from the reserve, if you would have told me 2015 that they could be back in active service I would have told you that you are completely crazy! Never, ever!

Now one of them is a Major in a logistic battalion and the other is in the Navy as an OR-8. The OR-8 was a OR-6 in a infantry reserve unit and in civil life a mechanical engineer in a engineering company. Kids out of house, got divorced, thought about joining the Bundeswehr again. Now he is a ship mechanic in the Navy and because he switched service (Army to Navy) he went through basic training again, with 50 years.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top