Posted on Mar 20, 2016
Anyone have any advice for going to basic as an older guy?
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I was doing ROTC in college and due to some personal stuff with school decided I am going to enlist. I'm going to be older than most people there I assume (25) so if anyone has experienced basic around my age range I'd be curious how the experience was.
Basic Training
Age
Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 22
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At 72 it is perplexing for me to hear that a guy 25 years old is considered "older".
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Capt Seid Waddell
Capt (Join to see), during the Second Gulf War I saw an interview with some of the troops by a female reporter. She was surprised that they all looked so young, and asked them each how old they were. Most were 18 or 19, but when one said that he was 22 the rest of them turned to him and started laughing.
It is a different world with the youth. This ancient hulk can only smile and watch them grow up.
It is a different world with the youth. This ancient hulk can only smile and watch them grow up.
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Hate to brag but my kid went into the Corps at 27 and really smoked most of the other 18 and 19 yr olds. Granted he was a little more mature and he had prepared himself for what he was about to go under. In most cases the younger guys looked up to him and respected him. The "drills" did put it to him a little more but quickly backed off after he proved himself. You don't say what branch so my recommend is be physically fit. Don't act better then the rest just because your older and don't expect any special favors either. You'll just be another 'cruit.... just a little older.
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Zachary S.
I think bragging about ones kids is usually justified haha. Definitely reassuring to hear about your sons success and I definitely won't be seeing myself as better when I go in. Every recruit is going in to be molded right? Thanks so much for the response. I was really surprised and happy to see all the advice from people I've received on here. Makes me that much more motivated to swear in and get my ass to basic.
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Won't get treated any differently than the 17 year old kid next to ya. I was 25 when I went through OSUT. It was frustrating to me because I had been working since the summer I turned 16, and was used to doing things my way, and even being in charge. I was the lead service tech at the branch of the company I worked for. Now I had kids who had never done anything besides attend highschool as my peers. As long as you don't cop an attitude, you'll be just fine.
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Zachary S.
Definitely helpful to know. I feel like younger recruits would be more like my peers compared to the 17 and 18 year olds I'm seeing in college. Thanks a ton for the response!
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