Joiing the army at age 41???

U.S. Army Pfc. Russell Dilling

Army’s Oldest Basic Trainee Graduates

By Bob Bellin

Fort Jackson Leader

FORT JACKSON, S.C., Oct 16, 2006 — The Army’s oldest Basic Combat Training soldier marched off Hilton Field here last Friday as a graduate.

Pfc. Russell Dilling, 42, Company A, 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment, enlisted in June after the Army raised its maximum active-duty enlistment age to 42.

“The hardest part,” Dilling said, “was switching over from civilian to soldier – making the transition was the hardest.”

Despite the physical challenges, Dilling said he succeeded by keeping a positive attitude.

“I’ve gained a lot of confidence and I have a lot of pride in myself, and that outweighs all of the physical pain I experienced,” he said.

Dilling underwent a physical transformation, losing almost 40 pounds in nine weeks.

“He’s got heart. He didn’t quit,” said battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Marion Mike.

Dilling’s parents, sister, two aunts and oldest son attending the graduation.

Spc. Jonathan Dilling, 259th Quartermaster Battalion, Fort Carson, Colo., said it felt “different” to see his father graduate just weeks after seeing his younger brother graduate.

“I expected my brother to follow in my footsteps, not my dad,” he said. The specialist smiled and said that if he and his dad served in the same location, he would probably still outrank his dad.

With basic training complete, the oldest soldier in the Dilling family is now at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., learning small arms and artillery repair.

“It’s been an interest of mine,” Dilling said, “and I’m looking forward to a new challenge.”

Considering his age, it most likely is not the Best idea to join the ranks. The fact that most new recruits come in at about 19-25 a 41 year old pvt. most likely wouldn't go over very well. It also depends on what he goes into. If he goes into supply sure go ahead, many people do that, but if he looks to join and fight... he needs to re-think his priorities.

they opened it up for men at that age yes he can do it . age limit use to be 38 they upped it . he has to pass the physical . its not that hard . but running in boot camp with all the younger guys. its gonna be hard but id have to say i think hes brave to try that at his age im retired navy i joined at 17 im 38 now . i could do it again but i wouldnt .

tell him to join the Air Force or Navy. Army BCT is a joke, but even there he's much more likely to injure himself than at AF's or Navy's basic. Also, tell him to stop lifting weights and start doing endurance exercises (pushups/situps/RUNNING). get some!

well, if you are talking about the us army, i think their requirements for health and strength are too high, if i was 41 i wouldn't, its too hard and wrong thing to start at this age.

if he joined and accepted, i only wish him good luck.

i spent 49 months on the canal, i am 45 now, and i went in at 26, i would do it again, and i would be happy just to carry a rifle and a ruck,

i think that they wouldn't let him join on his age alone, but you know what if we really wants to i would say go for it.... more than what i would do at 41.