I’m curious about military history: Was there ever a situation, perhaps during World War II, where a group of older enlisted personnel was assembled into a single unit or regiment, and they ended up outperforming others?
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Yes, there are several historical instances where units comprised predominantly of older enlisted personnel outperformed other units, particularly in World War II. One notable example is the 29th Infantry Division, which included many soldiers with prior military experience or those who were older than the typical enlistment age.
Another example is the formation of various reserve and National Guard units, often made up of older soldiers who had served in previous conflicts or had professional backgrounds that contributed to their military effectiveness. These soldiers brought with them valuable life experience, resilience, and leadership skills, which could be critical in frontline situations.
Units that were integrated with older, experienced soldiers often benefited from their maturity and perhaps a different perspective on warfare, which sometimes led to superior performance in combat situations. The emphasis on teamwork and discipline that these veterans instilled in younger soldiers could also enhance overall unit effectiveness.
Overall, while age and experience can vary widely among military units, there are certainly historical precedents where older enlisted personnel made significant contributions to operational success.