Grandmother graduates from basic training

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

Terrill Stewart wanted to join the Army 20 years ago, but being a mother, homemaker and holding down a job complicated things.

When her oldest son enlisted in the infantry, Stewart again got the urge to join, but by then she was too old. That soon would change.

One day, Stewart listened as radio commentator Paul Harvey reported that the Army had raised the maximum age to join the Reserve from 36 to 39.

"I took it as a calling," Stewart said. She was 39.

On Friday, Stewart, a mother and grandmother from Paris, Idaho, fulfilled her dream and became a solider, graduating from basic training at Fort Jackson.

More: http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051015/APN/510150669&cachetime=3&template=dateline

We are now officially living in Bizarro World. What's next, an infantry with walkers?

[dkofos]

1. Hope she survives this lunacy

[Gman]

2. Hey! 39 ain't that old!

George Foreman was heavyweight champ at 42 or so!

[chalky]

11. I know! Heck, when I read "Grandmother" I was thinking 50 or 60...

n/t

[Gman]

16. Nolan Ryan was throwing no hitters at like 40

[KnowerOfLogic]

21. Ditto; if she can do the job, i don't see what the problem is. Frankly, I

think the age limit is age discrimination.

[FreedomAngel82]

25. Me too

I think anybody over eighteen should be able to join. :)

[tanyev]

3. Alrighty then. At least she's putting her money where her mouth is.

[Missy M]

4. It's one heck of a way to get closer to her son. I suppose this will..

now become a national story and she will become the poster person for the Army so they can get more mothers and grandmothers to enlist.

[abluelady]

15. Not this Blue Grandma!

I also put my money where my mouth is and PROTEST this nonsensical war.

[Demit]

5. If you think 39 is one step away from the age where you need a walker...

you must be very young yourself. I realize your humorous comment was meant as hyperbole, but for heaven's sake, 39 is not old. I find it more unsettling that a woman that age is already the grandmother of two.

[tanyev]

6. Ain't that the truth.

I worked with female inmates for a number of years, starting in my early 30s. I was astounded to meet so many women my age who were already grandmothers. They were equally astounded to meet a woman their own age who had no children.

[Catch22Dem]

7. It's old for Basic Training though...

I don't mean in terms of physical ability. I'm talking about surrounding yourself, no IMMERSING yourself, at 39 years wise, with 18 year old boys and girls. I thought they were immature pricks when I was in Basic Training, and I was THEIR AGE! :)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. I'm older than the Grandmother....

And the statement was, "What's next, an infantry with walkers?"

Stated to infer that if the continuing changes in recruitment policies continue on this track...

I guess I could have been more clear. :toast:

[Demit]

20. I understood your statement.

As in "My goodness, if they are taking 39 year olds, the next step would be taking people old enough to need walkers."

And you were implying, not inferring. :toast: to you too.

[MADem]

22. I thought it was funny, and it made me think of

a cavalry of senior scooters!!!!! CHARGE THAT HILL!!!

[InkAddict]

12. In Ohio

that's too old to be the "trophy" receptionist. Bimbos only need apply cause sex sells. If you've half a brain, you're shoved off to the back room to plan and execute ways and means to fund the company execs' next bash to which you are NOT invited! Still Fundieland here.

[classysassy]

9. Granny is in the army now

after spending over twenty years in the military,I believe a 39 y/o female can do the job if the job is non combat.I can't see a grandmother living under conditions that exist in Iraq,the sand storms,oil fires,friendly fire,and the people of Iraq that resent women trying to kill them.All of you that are pleased with the lady,ask your grandmother to sign up that goes for you Bush twins send your granny.

[Extend a Hand]

10. i dunno

lots of Iraqi women much older than this Grandmother are living in worse conditions.

[katinmn]

13. Why?

Why would she want to do this? It sounds like it is just to be close to her son.

She should have just talked her son out of joining.

Fruitcake.

[Nikia]

14. That's not that old to be physically strong

There are some female distance runners who are still running world class times at that age. She is still at an age in which she probably could have more children if she wished as well.
Thirty-nine is not elderly.

[Kingofalldems]

17. More power to her

But 39 is way too old to put up with the crap you have to absorb in Basic Training. It's designed for 18 year olds and they are treated as such.

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. 39 and a granny? Oh man. I'm 34 and YEARS away from grannyhood

[baldguy]

19. precocious

[tigersumtin]

23. I wounder if my gran ma

would want to sign up as a Navy Seal. :hide: or maybe a special forces girl, or a Fighter Pilot. why not gran pa was in the Army Air Corp.

[tigersumtin]

24. Nawwww Gran ma's a lover

not a fighter.