Ageism and HM Forces?

Question

If it illegal to discriminate on the grounds of age, how does that leave the Forces in the UK, whose upper age limit is typically 31 or 32 for entry?

I know it is about physical fitness but some 40 year olds are fitter than some 20 year olds.

I think 90 might be a bit old......or perhaps you were 'trying' to be sarcastic.

Answer 1

I would extend the limit especially at times like now when our forces are overstretched. I'm in my fifties but did serve 16 years in the RAF. While I'm obviously not as fit as a young man I am still capable of firing a gun or driving a truck and a variety of other duties that would relieve some of the pressure.

Answer 2

Well some of the TA can stay in till 60.

You can join the TAMS RAMC off the street up to 45 or 50 if you are a Doctor - same for QARANC if you are a nurse if you so inclined.

You are a soldier first and your profession comes second.

Once you have joined the TA you can serve with the regulars and in some cases transfer in when all the others are leaving between 40 and 45.

Believe it or not there are ways around even the toughest age bars - but my question to you is - do you realy want to do this?

The older that you are the tougher it may be for you to meet the physical and mental requirements - tougher but not impossible.

Answer 3

promotion is slow enough in the RAF as it is, you can stay in for 30 years now, how can the rest of use get promoted if the old guy's are hogging the promotion posts.... have a word. that is what the reservists are for.. if your older and want to help out then join the TA, RAF and Navy reserves..... it would help abut then you get the dentist going on about how much money they are loosing cos they have been called up and asked to go to Iraq to look after our troops and refusing to go because he doesn't agree with the war... well you took the queens shilling like the rest of use...... there needs to be a line, just how in the PC world we now live in do you apply it. you are always going to get people who will try pulling a fast one.

Answer 4

What do you think the age limit should be? 90 ? why not?
There is a line they have to draw and it is not about age, it is about physical attributes.
No, I am not trying to be sarcastic. People in their 50's, 60's etc would say the same. Where would you draw the line?
Do you think there should be no age limit?

Answer 5

I think that there are many jobs in the services for older people, if people were willing to extend their time and take up the less thrilling jobs; those in the G4 world for example, then surely it would free up the younger/fitter soldiers for more active duties????

Answer 6

who wants it? if they pushed up the entry age the military wouldn't need to entice volunteers. They would find a way of keeping in the tired and worn-out old sods, who want out.