Book Review: The Ageless Call to Serve: Rethinking Military Service for A Changing World

Authors

Richard M. Yates

Files

Description

Author: Lieutenant Colonel Lanny Snodgrass, MD, PhD

Reviewed by: Commander Richard M. Yates, faculty instructor, Department of Command, Leadership, and Management, US Army War College

At age 63, psychiatrist Lanny Snodgrass defied convention by joining the Army, challenging long-held beliefs about age and military readiness. Drawing on decades of clinical experience with veterans and young soldiers, he exposes the psychological toll of sending teenagers to war while advocating for the wisdom and resilience older recruits can bring. This provocative and inspiring book reimagines military service for a modern world, urging a shift from age-based limits to capability-based inclusion.

©2026 Richard M. Yates

Publication Date

3-5-2026

Keywords

post-traumatic stress, civil-military relations, veteran mental health, military service reform, service eligibility, military accessions

Disciplines

Defense and Security Studies | Military and Veterans Studies

Recommended Citation

Richard M. Yates, Book Review: The Ageless Call to Serve: Rethinking Military Service for A Changing World ( US Army War College Press, 2026),
https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters_bookshelf/128