I see them around my hometown all the time: The frustrated patriot-soldiers, objectively past their primes yet eager to join the fray, to strike a blow for democracy, to show those suiciders, insurgents and "dead-enders" in Iraq what freedom is all about -- up close, in person and American-style.
Sadly, because of antiquated and unfair enlistment requirements likely imposed during the Clinton era, these gallant militiamen manques are reduced to impotently observing the splendor of Operation Freedom from the sidelines, their thirst for battle rechanneled into bashing liberals, buying authentic "terrorist hunting permits" for their pick-up trucks and, of course, getting shitfaced.
Fortunately for some of the conceptual combatants trapped in this heroes' purgatory, Uncle Sam has
come to the rescue:
The U.S. Army, aiming to make its recruiting goals amid the Iraq war, raised its maximum enlistment age by another two years on Wednesday, while the Army Reserve predicted it will miss its recruiting target for a second straight year.
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.
Isn't this great for those thousands of ardent war supporters born in 1964 and '65? You know, the ones who really wanted to put their lives on the line for the Bush Administration, but were thwarted by bureaucratic red tape and institutional ageism.
To these soldiers in spirit, I say congratulations! Your long nightmare is over, your appointment with glory beckons. Godspeed.
--- Crossposted on Bloginàge ---