http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/18/us/18recruit.html?hpw
Army Challenges Older Recruits
By JAMES DAO
Published: June 17, 2009
FORT SILL, Okla. — Pfc. Shane Dixon is known as Old Dix. Specialist Jason Ness goes by Gramps. Pfc. Christopher Batson’s nom de boot camp is Pops. None of them are over 40, but to the 18-year-old soldiers in basic training here, they are as ancient as a first generation Xbox.
Yet in the three years since the Army raised its age limit for enlisting to 42, from 35, a steady stream of older recruits has joined the ranks, pushing creaky muscles through road training, learning to appreciate — or at least endure — Army chow and in some cases deploying to combat zones......
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/06/18/us/18recruit_subspan.jpg
Army Challenges Older Recruits
By JAMES DAO
Published: June 17, 2009
FORT SILL, Okla. — Pfc. Shane Dixon is known as Old Dix. Specialist Jason Ness goes by Gramps. Pfc. Christopher Batson’s nom de boot camp is Pops. None of them are over 40, but to the 18-year-old soldiers in basic training here, they are as ancient as a first generation Xbox.
Yet in the three years since the Army raised its age limit for enlisting to 42, from 35, a steady stream of older recruits has joined the ranks, pushing creaky muscles through road training, learning to appreciate — or at least endure — Army chow and in some cases deploying to combat zones......
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/06/18/us/18recruit_subspan.jpg