This 41-year-old soldier graduated Army basic training after a 20 year break
Jason Pelletier was discharged from the Air Force two decades ago after discipline issues. Joining the Army Reserve was "an opportunity to serve and honor my original commitment."
PATTY NIEBERG
POSTED ON JUL 3, 2024 4:30 PM EDT
4 MINUTE READ
At 41 years old, Spc. Jason Pelletier completed Army Combat Basic Training because he wanted to complete the commitment he made when he was 18. Here, he is with his wife, Kerry, on Family Day at Basic Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
AT 41 YEARS OLD, SPC. JASON PELLETIER COMPLETED ARMY COMBAT BASIC TRAINING BECAUSE HE WANTED TO COMPLETE THE COMMITMENT HE MADE WHEN HE WAS 18. HIS WIFE, KERRY, VISITED HIM ON FAMILY DAY AT BASIC TRAINING IN FORT SILL, OKLAHOMA. LT. COL. MICHELLE LUNATO
Among the biggest shocks that hit Jason Pelletier at Army basic training was when he realized he was older than most of his drill instructors.
Pelletier, 41, graduated earlier this year from Basic Combat Training and will soon finish advanced training to be a combat medic. Enlisting two decades past the age of many of his fellow recruits was a long-term goal for Pelletier, who said he was driven by a still-painful memory of a mistake-filled first enlistment in the Air Force at a more traditional age.
“For me, it’s an opportunity to put on the uniform again, to serve and honor my original commitment, and to be able to do so in an honorable way,” Pelletier told the Army in a release.
In 2000, Pelletier, then 18, enlisted in the Air Force but was out two years later because of disciplinary issues, which mostly stemmed from underage drinking, Pelletier said. He was issued a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions, a status that barred him from re-enlisting.
https://taskandpurpose.com/news/41-year-old-basic-training/
