One of the day watch sergeants sent out an e-mail earlier this week:
A busy day with no incidents to report. However, I had the privilege of assisting someone who is quite remarkable.
While leaving the front lobby, I saw a US Army Master Sergeant walking up the front steps. I then noticed a familiar sight: the Special Forces tab on the uniform. I introduced myself as an “old-timer” SF sergeant myself, but learned I was but a youngster. The MSG was retired from the US Army SF, but was called back to active duty service due to him having a critical military occupational skill.
After helping him register his alarm with the city, I spoke with him at length. He invited me to jump (parachute) with him this weekend, but I had to decline due to my reserve drill duties.
He told me his age, but I had to check after he left anyway. He is 87 years old.
The MSG told me that he is not alone; there are other octogenarians on active duty orders.
I do not want to hear anyone whining about anything for the rest of the week.
(note: Minor grammar fixes were made from the original e-mail, but the content is 100% accurate.)
No related posts.
Unless you’re talking about Airsoft Special Forces I’m throwing the bullshit flag. Give me a name or tell me what Special Forces Group he’s “currently” assigned to….I’ll have it confirmed in less than 24 hours.
Thanks for stopping by. I have the master sergeant’s name, but I’m sure you will understand if I decline to post a SF soldier’s name in a public forum. Considering my department is in the Tampa Bay area, and USSOCOM is local to us, I imagine that the MSG is assigned to command staff at MacDill, not deployed overseas.
And lest you get too carried away, there are a number of people eligible for Social Security currently serving. Take, for example, this 74-year-old doctor deployed as a field surgeon in Afghanistan: http://www.pantagraph.com/news/article_3fcd5271-55b4-572d-abdd-c47fe7d2768f.html (Oh, and it is his third tour, the first two to Iraq.)
I guess this 63-year-old Ranger is a spring chicken compared to others: http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/07/30/25286-active-duty-ranger-63-honored-for-career-spanning-45-years/
I’ve never met a soldier who has gone looking for press coverage, so I imagine there are many, many people we’ve never heard about that are currently serving who are much older than you would think.
Stay safe!
Medical personnel can serve at about any age, so I am not impressed by surgeons serving. When you retire after serving honorably you can wear the uniform under given circumstances. In his position I suppose working at MacDill is a valid reason.
I was also one called out of retirement to go to war and I served at CENTCOM. I will be back there in Tampa next month and would love to meet the soldier.
Something still seems fishy. This guy seems to outdo Billy Waugh.
Did he have a CAC card?
[...] had not idea that the US Army had anyone as old as this Special Forces sergeant on active duty. I am humbled by his [...]