It interesting how people think a teenager couldn’t manage a military command. There are so many historical examples of teens commanding in the military. Most notably Richard III was only eleven when he was commanding men in his brother’s army. He achieved full independent command at seventeen.
Kwan Chang, who at 16, was a commander of the Hwa Rang teenage military forces in Korea. He was captured, let go, given command of his Father’s, the General’s, forces and went back to continue fighting. He killed a commander in the enemy forces and was executed.
Let’s not forget about Joan of Arc, Scipio Africanus, Alexander the Great, Augusts Octavian Ceaser. Even the civil war, WWI, & WWII had a plethora of teenage soldiers.
We are fortunate we live in an era where children don’t have to grow up so fast. We don’t marry as children or teens. And we don’t have to train our children from 4 or 5 years-old for the military.
I’ve wondered more than once if teenage hormones ever had an effect on the politics and wars that happened throughout history.
As much as I wish everyone would read and could enjoy my writing, the truth is not everyone will. This is why, as authors we are always told to identify our ideal reader. I don’t believe it works that well to sit down and say my idea reader is between these ages and does these things and has these habits.