There's guys even older who join later in the game. One of the best troops in my shop is THAT guy. 30 something, works hard, keeps his mouth shut, performs at a higher level than the other other SrA...dude most definitely earned being rated all the way to the right. You might think this comes across as insensitive or pretentious, but your age means nothing. Again, NOTHING. Pay your dues, earn your respect. The military is full of red tape/bureaucracy...it isn't going to lay off of it's culture for you. The sooner you accept that and humble yourself to it, the easier it'll be for you to play along. You might HATE some early 20 something SSgt's guts...resent him for a perceived power trip over you, but if it's a lawful order and he/she isn't asking anything of you differently than anybody else...suck it up. You're an "Amn" not a "26 yr old". Play the game. Your age doesn't mean anything. That's the reality of it. You are treated differently not because of your age, but because of your standing in the military, your professional growth and maturity. You still have big shoes to fill. And at your age, being honest with you here, you should have thicker skin and not be so bothered by it. Be mature for the age you are and deal with it. It's not a slight against you. Either you can perform your job and hold up against your peers or not, if your shit stinks, your age can't and won't hide that fact.