[Mick]

It is impossible to generalize by age.

This is a statement that can’t be disproved. However, we aren’t living in a 100% world either, and a 21 yo AF NG Airman isn’t performing rocket surgery.

If age doesn’t matter, how is it impossible for mil to run without young people doing back office work? There are hundreds, maybe thousands of older adults who can do IT work. While it is true they can steal and expose national security information, the odds of them doing so are lower. This in an endeavor where it makes sense to reduce risk as much as possible. Older people with longer histories can be better vetted for security clearances than young people not much is known about.

Honestly, give those between 50 and 65 completely free healthcare before Medicare eligible, and recruiters would have to turn people away. It may or may not be feasible to do this, but the Pentagon has a big enough budget, and Congress could certainly look into how feasible opening up positions for older adults to do non-combat operations and be trusted with sensitive material, would be.

I wonder about that. Older people are far more likeliy to have crippling financial burdens and may be susceptible to bribes. I suspect they're more cynical and less idealistic.

[Mick]

It is impossible to generalize by age.

This is a statement that can’t be disproved. However, we aren’t living in a 100% world either, and a 21 yo AF NG Airman isn’t performing rocket surgery.

If age doesn’t matter, how is it impossible for mil to run without young people doing back office work? There are hundreds, maybe thousands of older adults who can do IT work. While it is true they can steal and expose national security information, the odds of them doing so are lower. This in an endeavor where it makes sense to reduce risk as much as possible. Older people with longer histories can be better vetted for security clearances than young people not much is known about.

Honestly, give those between 50 and 65 completely free healthcare before Medicare eligible, and recruiters would have to turn people away. It may or may not be feasible to do this, but the Pentagon has a big enough budget, and Congress could certainly look into how feasible opening up positions for older adults to do non-combat operations and be trusted with sensitive material, would be.

I wonder about that. Older people are far more likeliy to have crippling financial burdens and may be susceptible to bribes. I suspect they're more cynical and less idealistic.