40 Year Old Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist Mom

Wow! When the Army raised its acceptance age from 35 to 40 and then to 42, Smith made a life-changing move. Two weeks away from her 40th birthday, she is now known as Pfc. Cindra Smith, a Soldier in C Company, 832nd Ordnance Battalion, 59th Ordnance Brigade, where she is attending AIT to become an explosive ordnance disposal specialist.

via the Partamian Report.

I've often thought the US was wrong in forcing our life-experienced (old-farts) folks out of service. That was one place where I felt the Ruskies were smarter than us. They had aged pilots with experience and wisdom in their cockpits. Their eyesight and reflex responses may not be as quick as some wet behind the ears 19 year old, but a nice mix of whipper-snappers and grizzled veterans is what is always needed in my opinion.

Granted, this article is about the US Army, and not a bunch of fly-boys. The Air Force is still all about performance and passing physicals - old farts can't do the later as they age. But this is a start. Just cause you're older, doesn't mean you're washed up.

There's a lot to be said for experience.