Age limit in SF?

[MEGR]

As I look at some of these pics from Afghanistan, and I see that some of these SF guys are pretty old (like 40 to 50, and prob 60 for bones). I have no problem with how old they are, actually, more power to them for putting there asses on the line. Anyways, is there an age limit for SF?When are they too old to serve? Do they serve until it is literally impossible for them to do their job??

[Salty Dog]

that is a great question....i was actually wondering that also, so i am sorry i cannot give you an answer. but , good question.

[James]

I'm not positive, but I think retirement from the military is mandatory at age 55 unless one is a flag grade officer.

[warGOD]

Personally, I think it's some kind of 'survival of the fittest'. Literally. If one can't keep up with the training or the operational requirements, you just take another function or retire.

Just bad an army or unit looses a lot of experience that way. By the time the U.S. arrived in Iraq for the first time there were almost no soldiers with real combat experience, or they were had been in Nam! (except for SF of course, or the guys that fought in Panama or Grenada).

Guess that prooves how important training is, and to train the way you fight.

[SABER 2-3]

There is a age cut-off at 37 to join the military (Army). Once in there is no age cut-off. SF soldiers must pass a Class 3, flight physical every year and they must pass the APFT w/ a min. score of 240 or 260 (sorry, I'll ask at work today) the APFT is judged on the 18-22 year old standard no matter how old that SF troop is.

[MSG Dman]

It is not always based on age. The Army has a Retention Control Point (RCP). This is the amount of years you are allowed to do based upon the rank you have achieved. An E-8 can stay in longer then an E-7.

I am an E-8 and can stay in until I hit 26 years service. An E-7 must get out at 24. This web site has a table that breaks it down:

http://members.tripod.com/thereupman/id69.htm

One thing to keep in mind is that SF has inacted a "stop loss" because of the war, and because of this some members of SF will go beyond their RCP, and once lifted they will retire.

Hope this clears some stuff up. No, there are not 60 year old SF guys running around Iraq.

[LongWayToTheTop]

In The aussie army its 17 right now because we need more people in the SASR, but i dont think any 17 year olds will make it, usally its 28 year olds + who make it into the SASR because its so fuc.king insane, yeah but it takes 5 years of service to join the Aussie Special Forces, and most of the guys in the SASR commandos or Divers have a family, But the yanks do everything different to us dont take offence but the way you salute is stupid.

[Seraphim]

In The aussie army its 17 right now because we need more people in the SASR, but i dont think any 17 year olds will make it, usally its 28 year olds + who make it into the SASR because its so fuc.king insane, yeah but it takes 5 years of service to join the Aussie Special Forces, and most of the guys in the SASR commandos or Divers have a family, But the yanks do everything different to us dont take offence but the way you salute is stupid.

Whats wrong with the salut? :backhand:
How do aussies salute?

[mikec62001]

Are you saying that the Australian government lowered the age into the Aussie military to allow more people in the Aussie SASR??? I think like the British SAS you have to have served at least 2 or 3 years within a conventional regiment before being allowed to apply for SAS selection. THat being so, if someon joins the military at 17 who is then interested in joining the Regiment then he would have to be 20 or 21 years old Any thoughts cheers Mike

[Royal]

Are you saying that the Australian government lowered the age into the Aussie military to allow more people in the Aussie SASR??? I think like the British SAS you have to have served at least 2 or 3 years within a conventional regiment before being allowed to apply for SAS selection. THat being so, if someon joins the military at 17 who is then interested in joining the Regiment then he would have to be 20 or 21 years old Any thoughts cheers Mike

Mike - I'm not picking on you but - wrong. Any candidate for regular SF in the UK must attend the SF aquaint. To do that requires authorisation from their CO. It's unlikely, but not impossible that that will happen with less than 3 years service. Any member of the UK armed forces (inc. RM, Navy and RAF) can apply - as can members of the two TA SAS Regiments and the RMR SBS sections.

[mikec62001]

I wasn't making a statement that I thought was right....It was a question that I wanted other people to give comments on the subject....I want to know about this that's why I want other people to put input in who do know what actually happens and how things actually work. I've only read that to join the SAS you have to served at least 3 years in a normal regiment. THe more people like you who probably does know how things work the better....

[GI_Rutger]

in the books of Chrus Ryan there are many guys which serves/served more than 20 years in the Army. In the dutch army you get kicked out when you're 35 (when your private), but i never heard of an age limit by the US/UK Army.

[Dominique]

I do remember seeing a SF Sergeant Major that was in his late 50's at JRTC during arotation, but he was still humping a ruck.

[FuturePara]

When did the SF Stop Loss program go into effect? Shortly after 9/11? Or was it in effect before that?