I recall it being a big deal that the draft age was lowered to 25 for Ukrainians. I kind of understand keeping young men around until 25, but I also acknowledge that there are 40+ year olds fighting, and many men are tired.
My apologies if this sounds daft. I’m an American, the last time we issued the draft was during the 1970s, my dads generation, which was very unpopular with him. I believe in the US, we liked the soldiers to be 18 because their reaction time (with a weapon) was slightly faster, and it was optimal for gun fighting.
I’d like to see as many Ukrainians survive this war as possible. and hope this doesn’t sound disrespectful.
The US military likes 18 year old soldiers because most of them are impressionable, easily manipulated or indoctrinated, they don’t typically have dependents to worry about yet, they are cheap to pay, and their bodies can take far more abuse before giving out.
Source: I was one.
It has absolutely nothing to do with reaction time with weapons. That’s Hollywood bullshit. You’d be surprised how infrequently you can even see the people you’re fighting in modern warfare.