He's finally in the Army – at age 60

Paslode · 08-08-2010, 08:37

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/a...lbert-ups.html

Quote:

By FRANK MICKADEIT
2010-07-29 16:27:29
rotc-gilbert-age-voluntar

When I heard about a 60-year-old guy joining the Army, I was curious. When I heard it wasn't Gordon Dillow , I thought it might be interesting.

It was some months back at a party that I became acquainted with Dore Gilbert . Re acquainted, I should say, because I met him 20 years ago when I was covering south county and he was on the Saddleback Unified School District board and had just bought a hot red Dodge pick-up I so coveted.

Turns out, Gilbert is still on the school board, as he has been since 1981. If there is a longer-serving person in the same elected office in O.C., I don't know about it. But this apparently isn't enough public service for Gilbert.

Gilbert, a physician , had long wanted to join the Army Medical Corps. In 1984, he was "24 hours from signing up" but just couldn't pull the trigger. He had three young children and a fledgling dermatology practice, and so he backed out.

His kids are grown now, and when the youngest, Kevin , joined the Marines, it renewed his interest. But getting into the Army, even the Reserves, isn't easy when you're pushing 60. (While for most Army jobs, 42 is the maximum enlistment age, for doctors, it is 60.) It took Gilbert a year and a half to get in.

"It's not a glamorous lifestyle by any means," Gilbert said this week as we had lunch in his Fashion Island office. "But there is a camaraderie. That's the draw – and the sense of doing something important, helping young men and women who are the best of the best."

He started the application process in February of 2009. A month later, the Army flew him to San Antonio for a physical. In May, an Army board approved his application and assigned him the rank of lieutenant colonel because of his years of practice, his teaching at UCI, his publications, etc. He thought he was on his way. Then things stalled.

Because he was being assigned a relatively high rank for an incoming officer, he had to be approved by a second Army board. Months went by. Gilbert wasn't going to just wait around. He started boot camp on his own.

He knew he would have to be able to do 27 sit-ups in two minutes, 18 push-ups in two minutes, and run two miles in 19 minutes and 54 seconds.

"The first time I tried to do sit-ups, I did 15 and hurt my back."

He contacted the R.O.T.C. unit at Cal State Fullerton. With a little intervention by his recruiter, the head of the program, Lt. Col. Jonathan Nepute , gave Gilbert permission to train with the cadets.

He did five-mile "humps" (walk-runs) through Tonner Canyon with full pack. He learned day and night land navigation and combat water-survival. He repelled off a five-story building and even took weapons training with the M-4 carbine. On his own, he brushed up on nuclear and biological warfare. And he worked out.

"I've done everything I can to learn what I will have to know when I go to basic."

He's up to 65 sit-ups and 80 push-ups, and can run two miles in 16 minutes. His weight dropped from 205 pounds to 170 (cholesterol from 225 to 130).

"A lot of pulled muscles, a lot of cramps. I'm in good physical shape but every joint in my body is killing me."

Winter, spring. Still no word from the Army. In April, he offered to take a reduction in rank, which would preempt the need for the special board ruling.

Monday, his recruiter called: "So, Lt. Col. Gilbert, how are you today?"

The Army had finally accepted him at the first rank it offered. Last week, he was sworn in. His commitment is three years. He'll drill one weekend a month and two full weeks each year. He can be deployed four months a year.

"I'm going to request to go to Afghanistan as soon as it is possible." Plenty of work there for a dermatologist.

"Soldiers are always getting skin diseases, especially on their feet. There are a lot of local diseases we aren't used to seeing here." Having a dermatologist in theater can mean the difference between having to send a solider to Germany for treatment versus having him back in the field in just days.

But the rough-and-tumble he experienced in R.O.T.C. rubbed off on him, too. He grins: "I want to go to jump school."

Mickadeit writes Mon.-Fri. Contact him at 714-796-4994 or fmickadeit@ocregister.com
© Copyright 2010 Freedom Communications. All Rights Reserved.

I thought the maximum enlistment age was 42 unless you had prior service?

rdret1 · 08-08-2010, 08:51

He went in as a LTC? I applaud this man's drive and tenacity. It seems a little odd though, going in at 60 with that rank to start with.

Richard · 08-08-2010, 09:16

He's an MD - stripes for skills - the age is higher but I've known Drs who came into the Army at anywhere from 2LT (newly graduated needing internship and residency training) to COL (experienced orthopedists).

Richard

f50lrrp · 08-08-2010, 09:33

In 1970, when I served with TASCOM in Worms, Germany, we had a staff Surgeon who was given a commission as a Colonel. He had been the Chief of Staff at Johns Hopkins. It was strange seeing a soldier of that rank with only a National Defense ribbon.

Utah Bob · 08-08-2010, 09:55

It's all about the expertise.
Look at Col Sanders.

Richard · 08-08-2010, 10:17

Quote:

It's all about the expertise.
Look at Col Sanders.

Just another 'Chicken' Colonel.

Richard

ZonieDiver · 08-08-2010, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Just another 'Chicken' Colonel.

Richard

Yeah, but Col. Sanders was 'well-seasoned'!

Paslode · 08-08-2010, 13:28

So did this guy get a pass on the age limitations because he has a skill set that might be in need?

The reason I ask, is that every person over 43 without prior service that I have spoken with has been told NO and those are the rules no if's, ands or buts.

Richard · 08-08-2010, 13:52

Quote:

So did this guy get a pass on the age limitations because he has a skill set that might be in need?

Yes - specialty or technical skills in critical demand based on the needs of the service - examples I have seen are Chaplains, scientists, and highly specialized MDs.

Richard

alright4u · 08-08-2010, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdret1

He went in as a LTC? I applaud this man's drive and tenacity. It seems a little odd though, going in at 60 with that rank to start with.

I know an SF man at least late 60's who is in serious shape. He lost an eye, but; his sailing keeps him in shape.

Dozer523 · 08-08-2010, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Just another 'Chicken' Colonel.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

Yeah, but Col. Sanders was 'well-seasoned'!

And he's a Kentucky Colonel too.http://kycolonels.org/index.cgi?id=11

Utah Bob · 08-09-2010, 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

Yeah, but Col. Sanders was 'well-seasoned'!

And when it came to his seasonings he was SOF (secretive old fart).

Gypsy · 08-09-2010, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paslode

So did this guy get a pass on the age limitations because he has a skill set that might be in need?

The reason I ask, is that every person over 43 without prior service that I have spoken with has been told NO and those are the rules no if's, ands or buts.

The article references the age cut off at 60 for doctors.

Good on ya, Sir!