Monte Gould, 59, is the oldest person to ever graduate from this version of the Army’s basic combat training. When Gould decided to reenlist in the armed forces he was shocked to learn that he had to once again complete boot camp and decided he was up for the challenge.
Fifty-nine-year-old Marine and Army Reserves veteran, Staff Sgt. Monte Gould graduated from Basic Combat Training with the 1st Battalion 34th Infantry Regiment Aug. 27, making him the oldest individual to complete this version of the BCT (but not the oldest to complete BCT ever. In 1999, a 68-year-old entered Basic Training). Not only did Gould complete BCT, but he finished in the top 10% of his training cycle. Gould’s unit cadre said his “candor, leadership expertise and technical proficiency are unmatched.”