Has anyone realized how old Thrawn must have been when he helped restart the Empire? He must have been at least 60 years old. Let me explain. The Outbound flight project occurred about 30 years before A New Hope. Then 10 years later he helps the Empire. He must have been about twenty years old, because he says, "I am the youngest to ever become of high position in the Chiss Expansionary Force" or whatever. Though his age could have been up to about 25. If you add them all up (20 years + 30 years + 10 years) equals about 60 years old.
This might be a little old for being out and fighting in the Imperial Navy. Even if he was not human he was humanoid. Even if you still think he is capable it just never registered that he was that old. For some reason I thouhgt of him in his 30s.