32 Years Old...Joining Reserves

[JLT1977]

So I am 32 Years Old, Married with 3 Children. I have been wanting to join the military in some fashion my entire life. I have a good job with a Fortune 500 company, a Bachelors Degree in business and an MBA. The problem is that I can't drop this desire, I have been wanting to join the Air Force for several years now. I just turned 32 and decided it was time since the age limit was coming up. I have decided to join the reserves, figuring this would be the best thing to not completely disrupt my family. I talked to a recruiter today, and we are meeting next week. He said I could enlist now and then pursue officer opportunities once I am in, stating that I could go in as an E3 now and then E4 once my tech training is complete.

Given the experience on this forum, do you have any ideas, recommendations, or advice as I begin the process?

[ringjamesa]

My advice? Hurry up. You only have until you turn 35 to get a comission. Pretty much your only shot is to go enlisted first and apply throught the Deserving Airman program so HURRY UP. It probably won't happen given how late in the game it is but there is no shame in stayine enlisted-there are tons of us with various degrees.

[ChaplainC]

First thing I would say, is that Ring is right.

In the reserves it is possible to get into an officer's slot if you have the degree and start as an enlisted person.

You really would need to hurry, if you are a Lawyer then you could go in right as a JAG, but otherwise it is more difficult, but not impossible, to go in as an officer. I would look into going in as an officer first, but if that does not work do not hesitate to get into an e-3 slot.

The Air Force has the largest, per capita, number of enlisted folks running around with graduate degrees (PhD's and MA's and such) so understand even if you do stay enlisted, that is in no way a bad thing or a shameful thing.

I would say go for it. I would talk to an OFFICER Recruiter before you sign anything with this guy. Just be sure you can not go in as an officer before you get yourself signed into anything.

Well, those are my thoughts. I commend you on your desire to join the Air Force and wish you luck.

Oh, and, in OTS or Basic, the biggest thing that helped me through is this simple knowledge.

You are going to fail, perhaps a lot! Do not think that you will get through it without failing at something! Everyone fails, it is designed to make sure that we all fail. The Air Force does NOT care IF you fail, they care HOW you cope with Failure. Take it like a Man, or Cowboy up, or however you prefer to say it, but just take what they dish out and you will find that you are no fun to yell at, and they leave you alone. Then just pay attention to your studies while you are there and you will be fine!

[LEBS27]

So I am 32 Years Old, Married with 3 Children. I have been wanting to join the military in some fashion my entire life. I have a good job with a Fortune 500 company, a Bachelors Degree in business and an MBA. The problem is that I can't drop this desire, I have been wanting to join the Air Force for several years now. I just turned 32 and decided it was time since the age limit was coming up. I have decided to join the reserves, figuring this would be the best thing to not completely disrupt my family. I talked to a recruiter today, and we are meeting next week. He said I could enlist now and then pursue officer opportunities once I am in, stating that I could go in as an E3 now and then E4 once my tech training is complete.

Given the experience on this forum, do you have any ideas, recommendations, or advice as I begin the process?

Even though I'm Army, I'll still reply. I originally served in the Army from 1991-1999 and then got out. I was out for 7 years before I re-enlisted. By that time I already had my bachelor's degree, wife & 3 kids. When I came back in in 2006, I was 37. Now I'm 40 and have had my direct commission accepted so I'll be an officer before year's end.

Because of 9/11, there are many people who have come into the military at an older age. Thus the Army (I don't know about the other branches) has adjusted it's age limits. As long as you're in good health and can pass the PT test, you'll do well. In the Army at 40 years old, I can become an officer without requiring an age waiver.

My suggestion is, if going enlisted, not to sign up for a long initial contract - only 4 years if you can. That way, if you get in and find out you don't like it - 4 years really isn't that long. If you do like it, you can re-enlist for a longer term.

I heard a great quote the other day - "Next year you will be the same person you are today except for the books you read and the people you associate with." That is very true especially in the military. Read books on leadership and history. Read books on marriage and fatherhood. Read biographies. Spend time with those who have a good head on their shoulders - not the ones who are still trying to remember what happened last weekend when they were drunk. Talk with and learn from those good leaders around you - officer and enlisted.

[LOAL-D]

If you join, I hope you like nicknames like, Pops, Gramps, Dad....

believe me I know....

[JLT1977]

Thanks to each of you for the posts, GREAT advice. I am meeting with the recruiter on Thursday so we will see where it goes from there. In the mean time I will try to find a local officer recruiter and make sure that isn't an option for me. Thanks especially for the words on Basic, definitely something I am concerned about given my age. In good shape, but you always hear horror stories, and I will be away from family. As for the nicknames, I should be able to handle that. Thanks again!

[ringjamesa]

I am an officer recruter for the Reserve and unless you want to wait a year or so, GO ENLISTED NOW!!! Our age limits have not and probably will not change but a Non-Prior Service application takes a LONG time (just finding a position often takes the longest). You have no choice on the length of your initial contract. You can enlist for 6, 6, or 6.

[Smeghead]

You are going to fail, perhaps a lot! Do not think that you will get through it without failing at something! Everyone fails, it is designed to make sure that we all fail. The Air Force does NOT care IF you fail, they care HOW you cope with Failure.

Chaplain, that is awesome. I may have to steal that.

[Silver Fox]

One of my closest friends is the same rank as me, we put on the same date, been in the same amount of time (give or take a couple weeks) but he's 12 years my senior. :p