59 y/o Combat Vet Attends Boot Camp
FoxNews reports that 59 year old combat veteran Monte L. Gould was going to be short on his retirement so elected to enter boot camp again.
59-year-old combat vet redoes basic training after 10-year break to join Army reserve
A 59-year-old combat veteran just completed basic training in order to reenlist in the Army Reserve after spending more than a decade out of the armed forces, authorities said on Wednesday.
“The next time you’re feeling unmotivated, channel Monte L. Gould,” the Army’s Syracuse recruiting battalion wrote on Facebook.
Staff Sgt. Gould, who previously served in the Marine Corps trained in civil affairs, returned to boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C., in June. He completed it late last month after spending the majority of his time serving as a squad leader, according to the Army Times.
Besides becoming eligible for retirement, he also claimed that he wanted to give something back to the younger troops.
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Bravo-Zulu Staff Sgt. Gould – ‘Motivation’ is obviously your middle name…
Holy cowflop Batman !!!
I’m seriously I-M-PRESSED !!!!
Unsure if to say Hardcore or what a PR joke.
Unsure.
Saw this in the news feed the other night. BZ to SSG Gould. If the young’uns will listen to him, he can and will do them a lot of good. Unfortunately, we all know, sometimes, how that whole listen to the voice of experience works. After all, we have a pretty good troop right here that still drinks Bud Lite. Go figure.
I was actually in better physical condition at 49 & 59 than I was at 29 & 39. Stringing cable from pole to pole in line construction work will do that. Could keep up with and in cases surpass the abilities of ones much younger. Two brain farts changed all that in just a little bit. Hug your Family and Friends, it can all change in the blink of an eye. I was lacing up my steel toed high heeled (defined) climbing work boots, drinking my coffee and having that FIRST cigarette of the day. Being in good physical condition, recognizing what was happening, and seeking immediate medical attention is what saved my life. That, and the fact that Heaven ain’t quite ready for me and Hell is afraid I’ll take over.
Hooah! 🙂
POG wants retirement money. News at 11.
Can someone explain why the Army requires you to go to basic over and over again?
I understand why a branch might want you to go through their basic, but SSG Gould had previously been in the Army and Marines. Does he really need a third trip through basic?
It is because of his 10 year lapse. Even as a former Marine, he would have to go back, again, 10 year lapse.
I get that, but why? He gonna forget how to salute or which end of an M4 to point downrange?
Well, he was a Marine…. 😬
MRD is 60 years.
What’s the point?
Pretty sure that MRD for the USAR and ARNG at age 60 only applies to commissioned/warrant officer personnel, 2banana. For enlisted personnel, I seem to remember that Federal law limits service to age 62 (USAR) and age 64 (ARNG). Services are allowed to set lower max age limits by service regulation, but the Army appears to have raised the enlisted max age limit from 55 to 62 for active duty personnel a bit less than 2 years ago (Nov 2018). I’d guess that change was also applicable to the USAR.
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/army-changes-mandatory-retirement-separation-age-3976316
Bottom line: This dude ain’t going to be the one man on a breach.
That being said, what a great resource for young Soldiers.
I am glad the Army is being “cool” and allowing him to get his time.
I tried to rejoin at 45 and they said I was too old.
Thank you for your service…now get lost.
Using that logic and if they try to recall me from retirement, I can say “Thank you for my service. Now get lost.”
So he was short of time in service to collect retirement pay. And whose fault is that? We’re giving waivers to 59 year olds now? Why?
Kinda my sentiments, SFC D.
Kudos to the guy for making it through basic at age 59. But yo, Big Army: why the exception to policy? “Wats up wit dat?”
It is because of his 10 year lapse. Even as a former Marine, he would have to go back, again, 10 year lapse.
Smart move from a medical benefits. I assume he will be eligible for Tricare for Life at age 65.
He’ll be eligible for full Tricare the day he retires and will transition to Tricare for Life when he hits 65. Assuming it still exists then, of course.
What’s his PT test?
35 min two-mile, 25 Push ups, 23 sit ups?
Just looked that up and in order to graduate from Basic Training, Males in age group 52-56 must score a 50 in each area.
Those minimums for a 50 are:
Push-Ups – 11
Sit-Ups – 21
Two Mile Run – 20:42
Damn. I know a shot ton of 20 something year olds who can’t come near doing that minimum.
Basic Training Scores: Males in age group 52-56 must score a 50 in each area.
The Army is hurting….