I realize the title might be a little odd. I wanted to get some feedback/thoughts on something.

I've never served in the military, but have always felt a responsibility to do so. If I'm being complete honest, there have been times when I felt guilty for not.

For a little background...

I don't come from a big military family although my grandfather is a Ret. Major for the Texas National Guard and my other grandfather served in the Navy during the Korean War.

My younger brother is in the Air Force (USAFA grad) and finished a tour in Afghanistan earlier this year. I think when he became an officer and was deployed that guilt (if you wanna call it that) escalated.

I guess to get to the point. I'm 29 years old. I'll be 30 in January. I'm not married, but will probably be in the next year. Recently I've considered, at the very least, joining the reserves. Not sure what branch. Is this even something to consider? Or did I miss my chance/opportunity?

[This message has been edited by AggieArchitect04 (edited 10/12/2011 5:30p).]

Missing the boat is only when you've aged beyond the limit. 29 isn't too old to join so it isn't too late.

I wouldn't do it out of guilt though. I would do it only if you feel it is something you want to do.

Military service isn't compulsory, so if you want to join for the experience, start making appointments with recruiters. When I enlisted, I actually visited with recruiters from each service to see what each had to offer. I chose the Army because it had the most to offer me for what I was looking for.

But, doing a personal inventory of why you are interested would be advisable. Are you looking for action and excitement? Job security? Loan repayment? Job skills? Benefits for your new family? Start there and good luck!

Are you thinking about enlisting? There is nothing wrong with enlisting, but keep in mind you will be living an working mostly with guys who are fresh out of high school. Might be a little culture shock.
I don't know what the age limits are, but I commissioned with several guys who were 29 or 30.

aggiearch, please email me.

obiwgt@gmail.com

You're too old for the USMC, sorry. But I joined out of "guilt," as well. I learned later that it's not guilt. You have a calling on your heart to serve your country and you haven't fulfilled that yet. Seeing others do what you feel you should be doing is making you feel "guilty." You wouldn't be joining out of guilt, it would just be the guilt that finally drove you to fulfill what you've always known you should have been doing. I think I know exactly how you feel.

IMHO

I turned 35 one week before graduating from OSUT (One Station Unit Training) at Ft Leonard Woods, Mo. as a 12B (Combat Engineer). OSUT is combined Basic training and AIT. I was older than all but my senior drill sergeant. Funny thing was, there were 3 people older than me in my OSUT company. You definitely are not too old to enlist, but you might be getting close to the cutoff for becoming an officer. Good luck!

AGGIE12B
JC '88
If you value the Freedom and Liberties you have in your life, be sure to Thank a Veteran everyday!

[This message has been edited by AgentZero (edited 2/7/2012 11:03am).]

I've enjoyed my time with the reserves, and I urge you to look into that if you feel the call. Use that degree and get a direct commission from your unit, and be an officer. There's nothing in the world that's substandard about a 30 year old LT, some of the best soldiers I've met got into the game a little later than most.

Good luck to you!

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For The Good Times
First of the Finest, Finest of the First

I met some fine Officers who were 30 y/o 2LTs when I was going through Fort Knox.

FWIW - my old man was A Company Infantry in the late 50s, flailed around at Baylor for a while and then enlisted at age 23. Going through Fort Leonard Wood and becoming a 12B Combat Engineer set him on his career path in the construction industry.

Personally, I always thought you had to serve. I'm very glad I did. Despite my Engineering Degree from A&M and my MBA from Colorado, it's my Army experience that get's me to where I am today.

Do it!

Just wanted to say thanks for all the comments. Lots of good info on here. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

For my situation, joining the reserves would work best. Not ready to abandon my current career path entirely.

I remember talking to a recruiter shortly after graduating and at that time I was told I'd have to enlist amd them apply for OCS. Is that still the way it works?

If for some reason I'm not accepted into OCS does that mean I'm enlisted indefinitely? I'd like to be commissioned and I have the required bachelors degree.

The way I understand it works now is that a "direct commission" can be gotten where your new unit, after verifying that you have the degree, can make you an LT, then send you off to BOLC (officer's school). After that you're an officer just like you'd done 4 years of ROTC. The reserves has gotten as hungry for officers as the rest of the military has, so they're trying to make it a little easier to become one.

The simplest thing I would do is find your closest Reserve unit and talk to their recruiter (if they have one) or the unit admin. The UA's tend to know everything about everything, especially from the reserve standpoint.

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For The Good Times
First of the Finest, Finest of the First

I enlisted at 32 in the TXARNG as a 09S (OCS enlistment option). I did BCT at Fort Benning. Got there the day after I turned 33, and I was not the oldest in the platoon. There were several guys older than me.

I just completed the National Guard's Traditional state OCS program and commissioned in August. I'm now a 35 y/o 2LT, and I don't regret anything about my decision.

If you have any specific questions, I'd be more than happy to answer. jkylenelson (at) gmail (dot) com.

A friend of mine did a direct commission at 41. I've seen another person commission t 42 or 43. They had to get a waiver for their age which took a little while.

I had hoped to join the reserves in Jan or Feb of 2012, but they dropped the age (at least according to the website) to 35. I'll be 36 in December.

By your name I assume you are an architect. You might want to look into the Navy Seabee's as a reservist. They are builders and might be an asset. I would recommend a commission. Going enlisted and then applying for OCS can work but and a reject from OCS does not mean you can not apply again but in the mean time you will be junior enlisted. I retired after a great career in the Navy - enlisted and served as a recruiter for three years in Deer Park, Tx. Recruiters need high scoring ASVAB recruits to fill technical jobs and will use the enllist and apply for OCS line frequently to meet needs.

If you join now you're going to be in for the biggest culture shock you've ever faced in life! US Forces ain't a good time, good bull, good buddy bullshitting time. Think it over....very carefully.

I was commissioned a 2LT when I was 37. It is most definitely a culture shock but its a culture shock for everyone whether your 37 or 23. Overall my time in the Army has been very positive although there have definitely been a few moments where the Army has driven me to the edge of insanity. These moments usually have centered around LTC's and COL's with godlike complexes.

I'm still thinking about it. I'm 27 now, but I'd need an age waiver for Marines at least. I have several other options I know.

I think what is holding me back are all the less than positive things I hear from people.

mst6175 - You can get an age waiver.

quote:

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US Forces ain't a good time, good bull, good buddy bullshitting time. Think it over....very carefully.

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what a strange thing to say

As an architect, you might also consider the Air Force. They have a significant construction and design group. I remember talking to someone about going active duty in the Air Force to be involved in hospital construction. At the time I was a Jr Major in the National Guard and they said I might have to take a reduction to Captain. Since I was a PE with over 10 years experience, I didn't see the point so I passed and stayed a citizen soldier.

I enlisted when I was 26. I turn 31 in a month and go on terminal leave the day after that.

Looking back, it was a great decision for me. I'm infinitely more marketable than I was with a crummy GPA and an ag journalism degree five years ago.

If my job, platform and squadron weren't going away, and I weren't so weary of being away from my wife and infant daughter, I imagine re-enlisting would be a serious option for me.

If you had told me I'd be flying spy planes for a living when I was 24, i'd have thought you were mental. But it's been a blast.

[This message has been edited by AgentZero (edited 2/7/2012 11:03am).]

quote:

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US Forces ain't a good time, good bull, good buddy bullshitting time.

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Depends on where you're stationed.

Just an update:

I used my lunch break to go to an AF recruiting office today.

That went over like a turd in a punch bowl.

The guy before me got grilled because he was dressed a little "thuggish", was all tattooed (they suspected gang-related) and a habitual marijuana user.

As a degreed, healthy male with no tattoos, I thought they would be pleased to see a candidate like me after that, but I guess in the eyes of the AF there is little difference between me and this other guy...?

I was immediately disqualified because I am 5'll" and 210 lbs. whereas according to their chart you have to be 197. He also asked me what medication I had taken. Ever? He said I would need a doctor's note for every single medication prescribed to me...for my entire life. So, I need to account for 29 years worth of prescriptions.

The recruiter, TSgt. Campbell, seemed very uninterested in talking to me. He told me, "We're not the Army, I turn away ____ people every single day". Not sure how that was helpful but good for him I guess.

I pressed and got a little more "information" which included him telling me that I would not be eligible for direct commission and that only ER surgeons and lawyers get that. I would be classified as E3 which would put me a few pay grades above a high school graduate with no college. "Can I apply for OCS?" "Yes, after a few years of making contacts and getting references/referrals, but it's very competitive." He followed several comments up with "but I don't want to discourage you".

I have to say, I was pretty excited about going in today. I thought this could be the start of a new journey for me. But the experience was not good. I expected a little disinterest given that they are making big cuts right now; however, the guy seemed almost thrilled about shooting me down. I guess maybe I think too much of myself.

Don't get discouraged. The AF doesn't need to recruit. I don't know why they even call them recruiters. They are more like initial screeners.

When I enlisted in the Army, even my recruiter said the same thing. The AF gets them walking through the door at a higher rate then they can possibly accept.

Try the Army. You might be surprised at what it can offer.

When I was in recruiting, I wondered if there really was an AF Recruiter in my office complex because he was almost never in and just left his business card and cell phone number on the door.

There was a saying in Army Recruiting:

"If you're losing market share to the Navy, they are outselling you. If you're losing market share to the Marines, they are outworking you. If you're losing markes share to the Air Force, you just suck."