I think our unnamed guest is correct in much of what he or she says. The age of conscription does indeed tend to be fairly young, but I don't think it's primarily because of the susceptibility of young minds to brainwashing. Young men (I'm not being sexist here, but most soldiers are men) are more physically fit that old men. There's a lot an 18-year-old can do on a battlefield that a 43-year-old like me would have trouble with, even if I were convinced (through logic or brainwashing) of the correctness of the endeavor.

As for the married vs. single question, it doesn't only apply to suicide missions, but to any mission where the individual will be put in harm's way. Those of us with wives and children tend to be more risk-averse than young single men. This is pretty well established and recognized in military circles, and I believe there are rules in place in a lot of militaries that prohibit membership in high-risk commando units by married men.

Don't bogart that joint, Spaw; pass it over to me.