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Sirs,

I just went through Selection (05-05) and we had several fellows in their late thirties and early forties. Only one 40 year old passed; others were med-drops/VW's. In my unit, we've had 5 or 6 guys go through and make it in their late thirties only to be dropped from SUT or Third phase or one reason or another.

I myself am 31 and went to Airborne a week after being beat up in Selection. A month and change later, I'm still recovering (mostly from an infection I got at Airborne). I was in great shape (290 PFT) when I left and while I was selected, I found that I ran in the middle of the pack at selection. Even now, my future orders to SFQC are contingent on my recovery and top notch physical readiness. I'm not bitching: this is the way it is and the way it should be.

It is my opinion that a properly prepared individual of nearly any reasonable age can succeed. That said, know you're competing against young men, with some 18X's being just 18 years old. I believe the average age of those selected was in the mid-twenties.

I say go for it. If you're having a problem getting orders because of your age, consider one of the NG units. They appear to have greater flexiblity in this regard.

Thank you for allowing me to post and best regards,

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