Do any retirees out there feel that they still would be "Combat ready" if by some twist of fate they were called upon to fight again?

TSgt Robert Allen — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:49:41 -0400

Response by MSG Andrew White made May 27 at 2017 1:57 PM

MSG Andrew White — Sat, 27 May 2017 13:57:51 -0400

Heck No! But I do have survival skills!

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made May 27 at 2017 2:06 PM

SSgt Robert Marx — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:06:33 -0400

Not even close.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 27 at 2017 2:12 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:12:04 -0400

Sometimes you just have to get ready on the way.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 27 at 2017 2:18 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:18:35 -0400

Only if we are fighting enemy "old coots", like many of us are. I'd be up for a fight with any in their late 70s.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 2:18 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:18:56 -0400

Yes, but not overseas Combat, but in states training in subject matter expert stuff, and I would be good as I am Bridge Instructor. I can still pass PT test and work out every day and in some ways in better shape then on my day of retirement. Keep in mind I Retired 2013.

Response by TSgt Robert Allen made May 27 at 2017 2:30 PM

TSgt Robert Allen — Sat, 27 May 2017 14:30:10 -0400

I think I could hold my own still. I may not be as good as I once was, but I was good once. Sometimes that feeling comes over you; that you wish you could go back out there again.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 27 at 2017 3:29 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:29:46 -0400

No, my body would not take it.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made May 27 at 2017 3:44 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:44:55 -0400

I'm ready to rock right now

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 27 at 2017 3:59 PM

SN Greg Wright — Sat, 27 May 2017 15:59:14 -0400

As a Merchant Marine, we are subject to 'recall' at the government's whim. It's part of signing off when you get your credentials. It's no different than being drafted. So in that regard, sure, I could set foot on any government ship and help sail it wherever.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 27 at 2017 4:06 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:06:03 -0400

TSgt Robert Allen I am/was an Electronic Warrior, Spook, Spy, Cryppie (Retired), I Could still do that from My Death Bed. As Long as My Fingers and Mind are still clicking is all I Need.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 27 at 2017 4:07 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:07:34 -0400

It would take a quart of Tequila to make me think that I could.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 4:15 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 16:15:02 -0400

At my age no way. But, I would do whatever I am still capable.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made May 27 at 2017 5:16 PM

LTC Orlando Illi — Sat, 27 May 2017 17:16:15 -0400

HOOAH. Let's do it. My resting heart rate is @59 and I cycle 26 miles a day 5 days a week.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made May 27 at 2017 6:05 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:05:44 -0400

If by "Combat Ready" you mean "strictly technical advisory capacity from Stateside locations", then yes. If you mean "humping through the bush with a full combat load", then no. My days of peak physical conditioning are over. To many injuries and cardiac conditions for that now.

Response by SGT Scott Henderson made May 27 at 2017 6:06 PM

SGT Scott Henderson — Sat, 27 May 2017 18:06:27 -0400

As long as I'm not having to run (COPD sucks). Put me behind a .50 and lets get to it.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 27 at 2017 7:59 PM

SGT Philip Roncari — Sat, 27 May 2017 19:59:48 -0400

"The Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak" besides my wife probably wouldn't let me,God bless her!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2017 8:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 May 2017 20:36:16 -0400

Physically I'd be hard pressed. Too many miles under this guys belt. Mentally and shooting wise....still pretty sharp.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made May 27 at 2017 9:12 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Sat, 27 May 2017 21:12:08 -0400

This retiree was my 1SG back in the day - I guarantee he's still ready. http://www.ejsnyder.com/

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Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 27 at 2017 9:23 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 27 May 2017 21:23:33 -0400

No. Couldn't pass flight physical. Diabetes. I could do staff work freeing up younger officer to fly and fight. Still hold Microsoft medal with PowerPoint, Excel, and Word devices. Plus a 5000 briefings tab

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made May 27 at 2017 10:27 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Sat, 27 May 2017 22:27:15 -0400

I am ready NOW

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 28 at 2017 1:10 AM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Sun, 28 May 2017 01:10:41 -0400

Mentally yes, physically, I need to get back in shape. I do plan to go into war zones after earning my Master's degree. One of my career goals is to work as an investigative journalist in the Kurdish region of Syria. I should consider taking advantage of the gym before leaving.

Response by PO3 Robert Laity made May 28 at 2017 3:44 AM

PO3 Robert Laity — Sun, 28 May 2017 03:44:39 -0400

I may not be "Combat ready" but I am ready to defend the Constitution to my death.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 28 at 2017 6:13 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sun, 28 May 2017 06:13:01 -0400

I'd go for if needed.

Response by SSG Katherine Likely made May 28 at 2017 7:13 AM

SSG Katherine Likely — Sun, 28 May 2017 07:13:46 -0400

no, i've lost the fat but I'm still out of shape for pt due to bad hip. but my mind is good and i still can shoot a weapon - just would have to be a paper pusher job.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made May 28 at 2017 8:12 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 28 May 2017 08:12:07 -0400

Speaking for myself there comes a time when we old duffers have to accept the facts of life which are that it's time to hang up our gear and leave the hard stuff to the next generation. The mind and spirit may be willing, but for many of us the bodies cannot follow through.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made May 28 at 2017 8:34 AM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sun, 28 May 2017 08:34:46 -0400

TSgt Robert Allen As I look back at my time in the Navy. I have come to realize, it was and is a young men's Navy. However, I was recalled to active duty I would not hesitate to go.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made May 28 at 2017 9:30 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 28 May 2017 09:30:19 -0400

I found that age (either young or old) is not much of an impediment to someone who wants to pull a trigger.

Response by Cpl John Barker made May 28 at 2017 10:58 AM

Cpl John Barker — Sun, 28 May 2017 10:58:03 -0400

Once a Marine, once is enough

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made May 28 at 2017 11:49 AM

PO1 Brian Austin — Sun, 28 May 2017 11:49:03 -0400

I can still man the keyboard, click a mouse and overwhelm the enemy with Powerpoint presentations. Mind is sharp, the body not so much. Though i'm 15+ lbs lighter since i retired, my knees and shoulders are a mess. I now consider Ibuprofen a major food group and i hate damp rainy days.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made May 28 at 2017 7:28 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Sun, 28 May 2017 19:28:02 -0400

There is one problem that precludes too damned many prior service people who have a lot of highly needed specialized skills that no one has mentioned. We are all too damned old and been hurt too badly too many times. Some of us have 100% disabilities from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the Army doctors could just correct those little problems we would love to reenlist and would do it in a heartbeat!

Response by CPO George Dixon 80% Disabled Veteran made May 28 at 2017 8:05 PM

CPO George Dixon 80% Disabled Veteran — Sun, 28 May 2017 20:05:15 -0400

As a U.S. Navy Chief retiree being 80% disabled with a shunt in my head due to explosion while active duty, not sure I could be up to the task of being on the front line.

Response by SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity made May 28 at 2017 9:40 PM

SGT Steve Hines-Saich B.S. M.S. Cybersecurity — Sun, 28 May 2017 21:40:42 -0400

I'm not a retiree but I served 10 years. If I had to operate in a combat or garrison evironment my attitude is let's get to work.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 29 at 2017 12:27 AM

COL Charles Williams — Mon, 29 May 2017 00:27:32 -0400

I could still hold my own. Heck, I still score higher on the APFT than half of the active Army...

Response by 1LT William Clardy made May 29 at 2017 12:06 PM

1LT William Clardy — Mon, 29 May 2017 12:06:19 -0400

When the need arises, you do what you have to do.
I wouldn't be up for playing Rambo, but -- if it comes to the triarii -- I could still lead troops holding or taking ground.

Response by SSG David Fetty made May 29 at 2017 1:11 PM

SSG David Fetty — Mon, 29 May 2017 13:11:12 -0400

I'd be WONDERFUL for a DIP mission :D

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made May 29 at 2017 4:40 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Mon, 29 May 2017 16:40:08 -0400

I would be combat ready till I caught the first bullet!

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made May 31 at 2017 1:36 AM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 31 May 2017 01:36:56 -0400

I'm not a retiree, but I feel this is a question I could answer accurately enough. I see a meme shared around most military themed pages but for the life of me I can't find right now. But it goes something along the lines of:

"You want to know how you stop ISIS. Grab a bunch of Veterans, put them on a hill with a couple cases of beer and a ton of ammo. They might not run as fast as they used to, but you better believe they still know how to put rounds down range."

My body aches most days and I don't see myself maxing out a PT test tomorrow. But if you knocked on my door and said "hey you wanna go shoot some stuff", like most veterans I'd probably take you up on the offer because honestly I think that's the one part about the military everyone loves.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jun 9 at 2017 11:21 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 23:21:58 -0400

In mind and spirit yes, it might take the body a little to catch up...

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 10 at 2017 2:50 AM

COL Charles Williams — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 02:50:27 -0400

Hell Yes.

Response by MSgt Jeff Greene made Jun 10 at 2017 7:24 AM

MSgt Jeff Greene — Sat, 10 Jun 2017 07:24:06 -0400

I am retired USAF. I may not be "combat ready" but as a retired First Sergeant I could still be doing the job. For 10 years after I retired I was civil service on my base and had young troops come to me for advice and counseling.