Actually, old soldiers do die…

...and when the enlistment standards of our armed forces are compromised in order to accommodate brand new old soldiers, more young soldiers are likely to die, too...

People can now volunteer to serve in the active-duty Army or the part-time Army Reserve and National Guard up to their 42nd birthday after the move aimed at increasing the number of people eligible to sign up, officials said.

It marked the second time this year the Army has boosted the maximum age for new volunteers, raising the ceiling from age 35 to 40 in January before now adding two more years.

I've been an Army trainee, and I've been 42. I can't imagine being both at the same time. It's not just a matter of physical aging. We're different people at 42 than at 19, or should be. More likely to say "Why, sir?" than "Yes, sir!" More conscious of our mortality. More vested in our homes and families.

Is there an exceptional 42 year old or two that is a truly suitable candidate for service? Maybe.

Should those exceptional cases be the standard for military policy, or will accommodating them likely weaken our forces?

Just six months ago the limit was seven years younger. Were we really that wrong six months ago?

I hate what they've done to my Army.