Mother's advice about dating?

My mom hates the guy i'm dating, he's 5 years younger than i am, (i'm 29, he's 24) he is in the military, at one point i thought things were over with him and i confessed to her that he had done drugs at one point in his life...she thinks he's a loser and that he's not serious about me. he says that he is serious about me and loves me...I'm confused. She wants me to be with a guy my age who has a good job and can take care of me...I dont know that i want to settle down with someone like that...i want someone who excites me and this guy definitely doest that...am i worried i'll get hurt? Yes of course...but that could happen with anyone? What should i do?