Later-in-life enlistment has its advantages              Susanne Kappler    Leader Staff

Staff Sgt. Brian Winters joined the Army at an age when many Soldiers are already seasoned veterans, possibly even with an eye toward retirement in the not too-distant future. Winters, however, has been able to use his age to his advantage and is moving quickly through the ranks. Winters, 37, joined the Army five years ago when the family business where he worked was sold. He decided to become a chaplain assistant.  “I have a ministry degree. So I figured it would probably be more in my lane, I’m more in my comfort zone,” the father of two said. “It’s been a great choice. I love the job.” His military career includes two deployments to Iraq in support of the Global War on Terror and a tour of duty in Germany. He has been assigned to the 120th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception) for almost two years –– and has many achievements on his record. Last year, as a specialist, Winters was named Fort Jackson’s Soldier of the Year. He moved on to become the U.S. Army Accessions Command Soldier of the Year and was the runner-up in the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Soldier of the Year competition.  The recognition has boosted Winters’ confidence. “Coming into the Army at a later age, you know you have some issues: ‘Am I physically able to do a lot of the stuff?’” he asked. “And (becoming Soldier of the Year) underscores the fact that, yes, I am. I’m not quite over the hill yet and still have a little fight left in me.” Winters also pointed out that there are positive factors to his age. “You have a maturity and a grasp of life that you don’t have at 20. Life is a little more serious, not boring, but a little more serious at that time,” he explained. “The biggest advantage my age gave me was experience and insight just to make right decisions and think things through.” Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Barna, 120th AG Bn., agrees that Winters’ maturity played a role in his success. “He came into the Army an older individual, an individual who had done a lot with his life prior to coming in. And I think that was one of the things that first set him up for success,” Barna said. Winters’ maturity is not the only factor contributing to his achievements, though.  “I am stubbornly driven to get things done,” he revealed. “If I set out to do something and I want something and I can conceive that it’s doable, then I just keep hammering at it. If someone says no, well, then I’ll go ask somebody else; and if they shut the door, then I’ll go ask somebody else.” That persistence also played a role in accomplishing Winters’ next career move. Once again, his age could not hold him back and he was accepted to attend Officer Candidate School –– despite the school’s standard practice of not accepting candidates older than 29.  “When I first came in, I was told immediately –– right off the bat –– that I was too old. And I kind of accepted that,” Winters said. “(Then) I found out there’s such a thing as a waiver, but they’re not giving any waivers,” he continued. “When I came to Fort Jackson and I sat down for my initial interview with my company commander, he asked me, ‘Why aren’t you going to OCS, you have a degree?’ And I said, ‘I’m too old.’ And he said, ‘No, you’re not. I can get you a waiver.’ And I began my quest at that time.” That quest will lead him to Fort Benning, Ga., where he is scheduled to attend OCS in June to become an Air Defense Artillery officer. “It’s a big stretch (from being a chaplain assistant),” he said. It’ll be fun to see how I do that.” Judging by his track record, the sky is the limit. Susanne.Kappler1@us.army.mil