older enlistee

[Cathy]

My daughter is determined to join the Navy and I am so proud of her decision. It is also her 28th birthday. Has anyone else had a daughter or son who enlisted at an "older" age and how did they do?

[Connie in Alaska]

Hi Cathy - My daughter is only 19, but one of the recruits in her division at boot camp is 36 and I believe she's doing just fine.

[Cathy]

Connie, wow, 36 and I thought Emily was old at 28. That certainly puts it all in perspective. Thanks for the comment. Cathy

[Connie in Alaska]

Your welcomes. It made me smile because she said the recruit reminds her of me and she calls her mom.

[Theresa]

When I went to MEPPS to see my son take his oath, there was a woman there who was proudly
taking her oath to another military branch at age 41. She had an awesome cheering crowd there to watch her.

[Cathy]

Theresa, isn't it amazing what people can do when they put their mind to it. That is what I have told Emily because it's the physical part of boot camp that she knows is going to be the hardest but she is determined and that will get her through. A friend of mine told me about a young woman he taught in h.s. who entered the army, made it through boot camp but at some point was given an honorable discharge because she didn't have the mental part of being a soldier, physically she could run rings around everyone else. As he said, you can develop the muscles but you can't grow brain cells. Thank goodness all of our children have the brain cells necessary for the job. Cathy

[Cathy]

In the case of my daughter you are absolutely right, she would not have been able to handle the military right out of h.s. Thanks, Cathy

[Serena(Joseph's Mom)]

Hi, my name is Serena. My son was 28 when he joined. He was unable to find his nitch in life at home I think. Joining the navy was the best decsion he ever made. He Loves It!!! AND HE IS DOING AWSOME!!!! He is in Florida now, and is having the time of his life, he even enjoyed bootcamp!!

[Cathy]

Hi Serena, it's so good to know that my daughter isn't the only one who has taken a while to find her niche in life. Better late than never as the saying goes. Glad to hear that the Navy has been a success for your son and tell him thank you for his service. Thanks for your words too. Cathy

[az1cowgirl]

My fiance' just joined the reserves, and is graduating boot camp this Thursday...and he is 39 years old. He is doing great! He was in decent shape when he left but said he watches his diet much closer now and notices that the younger guys don't. He says they feed them VERY well in boot camp so he has to be careful. He also said that he is running a 1.5 miles in 11:50 and is actually running faster than about 1/3 of his group. So if your daughter is in good shape, I'd say go for it.

[Cathy]

Congratulations to your fiancee and you too for your support for him! Emily isn't quite there yet with the pt part of boot camp but is making progress. She can go on the delayed entry program so that she has time to get more physically fit before going. So are you going to the graduation and if you do I will want to hear all about what to expect when I go! Good luck to you both. Cathy

[Kate]

Cathy,
My son went in at 26. He handled boot camp, not to say that there were'nt days that he struggled. He is considerered the "older sailor", but we have been blessed with his Navy career. He is doing well. Your daughter will do great. We wish her every success as she becomes a sailor.
Kate

[Cathy]

Kate, thank you so much, we are very proud of her decision and good luck to your son as well. Cathy