At the middle of the line were elderly individuals and even some young men, which reassured the survivors. It showed that the group didn't discriminate against age. However, seeing these people out in such a dangerous place also made it clear: the Base only accepted capable, working individuals—there was no room for idlers.
Those who were quick-witted could tell from the diverse age range of the people with Sparrow that his group didn't discriminate; all they cared about was whether someone could work.
Since he wasn't turning anyone away or dismissing them as useless, it meant there were likely many jobs available that matched different skill sets and experiences.
Meanwhile, those who failed to notice these subtle details, or lacked the insight to understand them, only grew nervous and intimidated by Sparrow's people.
