So what use are the "old folks" when TSHTF?

[Timelord]

Thankyou Jonas. That is a thought provoking article and of good factual content. I have one observation that slides in at a slight angle and that is - that I would surmise (with all my inexperience of the war zone you describe), that many of these useful intelligence operatives on both sides, may well have lacked any useful military experience PRIOR to the start of the war. Therefore does this not suggest that pre SHTF event military experience of the older generation was not actually a necessary factor in their effectiveness. This would translate into a reworking of your post that suitable older candidates for a position of authority or advice did not actually have to have a prerequisite of military experience prior to the start of a major SHTF event which would in turn lead to a build of "resistance" to an opposing dominant aggressor/occupier group.
While it may have been advantageous for intelligence operatives to have previous military experience and especially for some roles, this would not preclude non military experienced individuals from performing some of the roles you listed in your post.
Indeed now I am thinking deeper about this - If we get to the nitty gritty of a group or resistance movement leader, then is it wise to have a military biased individual in sole control as an elder? I know this has always been a problem throughout history and sometimes with a result that is good, sometimes not.. So where does that leave us, if I haven't gone off on a tangent that is? lol, regards, TL