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By Staff Sgt. Inez Hammon
For The Selma Times-Journal

Defying the odds and the passage of time, a 39-year-old has enlisted in the U.S. Army, achieving a dream that was nearly two decades in the making.

Growing up in Selma, Alabama, Michael Powell, who for a time worked as an associates’ manager at a local Sonic Restaurant, faced many challenges as he entered adulthood at a very young age.

“I’ve been on my own since I was 17,” Powell said. “I made the decision to leave high school in the 11th grade and at the time thought it was best for me.”

As a young adult, he entered the workforce – with little education but eager to experience the thrill of living a fast lifestyle.

“I always dreamed of joining the U.S. Army since I was in elementary school,” said Powell. “So, I got up one day and went into the recruiting station and told the recruiter I was ready to join.”

After discovering he did not meet the pre-qualification standards to enlist in the U.S. Army in his younger days, Powell returned to the workforce. He went on to earn his Alabama GED certificate, later applied with the City of Selma to become a police officer at the age of 26 and went to school to earn his commercial driver’s license (CDL).

Recently, Powell said he came across an Army advertisement and decided that it was now or never to take care of unfinished business he initially investigated at the age of 19.

He went on to contact his local recruiting station again and met Army Staff Sgt. Inez Hammon, the Selma Recruiting Station Commander.

“I remember when I first met Applicant Powell, one of the first things he said to me was how he had tattoos that are not in compliance with Army policy,” Hammon said.

Although he was worried about his tattoos, his biggest hurdle to enlistment was his age. The current age requirement to join the Army is between 17-38. Powell had to have an approved exception to policy to join and be physically qualified.

He was granted an exception to join at the age of 39 and approved to enlist with the tattoos he has that are currently not in compliance with Army guidance.

He selected 11X (Infantryman) as his military occupational specialty. Powell made history as the first person to enlist in the military from Selma, Alabama at his age.

“I want to be an infantryman,” Powell said. “I want to travel the world and continue to accomplish the goals I set out for myself at a young age.”

Powell is the first person to join the military in his family.

“This was a long time coming,” said his mother, Gladys Powell. “I’m proud of him and pray this will be another successful job for my son.”

Despite facing numerous adversities, Michael Powell remained consistent and unwavering, while never allowing challenges to deter him from his initial goals. When asked if he was ready to take on the challenge with peers half his age, he chuckled and replied, “An old dog can teach you new tricks.”

Inez Hammon is a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and the commander of the Selma Army Recruiting Station.