I am 37 years old and was told I could join the Army reserves.\nI have no "obligations" (ie bills,wife,kids ect)I really want the opportunity to serve my Country and this could be my very last chance to do so.I would like to know:\n1.Would I be the laughing stock of the entire Army if I joined at age 37?\n\n2. Would I go in as a higher rank?\n\n3. Could I go into as Active Duty?\n\n4. Are other branches of the military allowing older people to join the military?\n\nThank you and Please be honest your answers will help shape my decision.
119345
semper_fi_brother:\n\nFirst off, let me tell you I am 37 and have been in the Army for 15 years both on Active Duty and in the National Guard. The person BEST QUALIFIED to answer your question would be an Army Recruiter. That being said, let me answer your questions as best as I can.\n\n1. No, you would not be the laughing stock of the entire Army. Soldiers have a great affinity for ANYONE who joins our family of brothers-in-arms. I suspect you would have a somewhat harder time in Basic Combat Training (BCT) for a couple of reasons, though. The Drill Sergeants would probably key in on you to make sure you were physically able to do the job. They will undoubtedly harass you to ensure you were mentally capable to handle pressure. The biggest challenge, however, will be your age. I found it tough to go through BCT at 23. This is because I had already developed into a man with my own ideas of right and wrong; I had developed into an individual. The purpose of BCT is to break down a group of individuals and rebuild them as a team. Chances are, you will see and do some things you may not agree with, and how you respond to that will determine how easy or hard of a time you will have.\n\n2. It is possible to go in as a higher rank, but it will not be because of your age. If you have a college degree, you might be able to go in as a Specialist (just below Sergeant). Even if you don't have a degree and have some college, you may be eligible to go in as a higher rank. Sometimes, depending on the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty - your job field) you choose, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. If you get anyone else to join with you, you may be eligible to start at a higher rank. When I enlisted, I got two people I worked with to join the reserves. I was awarded one rank per recruit and went in as a Private First Class. This is an area a Recruiter could help out in. Also, if you know someone in the Reserves, let him refer you to a Recruiter. It could make your friend eligible for a $1000 bonus! :-)\n\n3. This, too, is going to be a question for a Recruiter. To my knowledge, the age of enlistment was raised to 39 for the Reserves and National Guard only. It will never be raised higher than that. The reason is that you are forced out at age 59 1/2, and there is no chance of making a retirement if you join at 40. I am not too sure what the requirement is for active duty. You may be able to request a transfer to active duty status once you are in the Reserves, though.\n\n4. Not to my knowledge. I just checked the Air Force Reserve website and you must be under 34. I suspect the answer will be the same for the Navy and the Marines.\n\nIf you decide to go in, I wish you luck! I think you will find the job tough but rewarding. It truly gets in your blood, and I plan on being in for the next 22 years until the boot my old a$$ out.
83795
This is a truly personal decision, and if you have any doubts, don't do it.\n\nKids your age do not appreciate their freedom in this country, but let me tell you that older people do.  There may not be much support for the war, but there is tremendous support for the men and women who fight.\n\nMy husband waited until he was 23 to join the Army.  It was always something he had wanted to do, but he waited until he was sure.  His family and friends are all very proud of him.  I think the cut-off age to join is 30, so you have more than enough time to think it over and decide if this is something you want to do.\n\nThe Military lifestlye is not easy.  You basically give up your freedom to fight for someone else's.  It means long hours of hard work, even when you are not deployed to war.  It is separation from your family and friends.\n\nBut the Military is a family in and of itself.  Your brothers and sisters in arms are always there to help you in your time of need.  You are always fed and you always have a free place to stay.  You become very close with your new family, and some of these single soldiers are wild!  It can be a lot of fun at times.  \n\nThere are many benefits.  Employers will always look at your military service and respect you for your decision.  Not only do you get full medical and dental insurance, you get good life and disabilty insurance, God forbid you ever have to use it.  You also get college tuition assistance, and you only have to serve for three years to qualify for the G.I. bill and a VA loan.  You can get college grants when you get out and you are almost guaranteed for a home loan.  These benefits will follow you forever.  I have an uncle who served in Vietnam who is still using the VA loan benefit to buy land.\n\nSo, there are many risks and many benefits to serving in the Military.  You have to weigh these in your own mind and heart and decide what you want to do.  But let me tell you that there are people who will appreciate your decision if you decide to join, now or later.\n\nGood Luck
608785
a lot of these answers are great just to stress on a few get some college first and you will have a higher rank when joining. If you can't. just be prepared to be broken and rebuilt they will break you down and rebuild you into a soldier.  Your life will revolve around the USMC you can't come and go as you please it is up to your ranking officer. I think the Army is a little slacker and not as tuff as the USMC both are standing for your country which is a great honor make sure you pick the job you want when you sign up because it is hard as hell to change once you sign those papers.  Basic training and  the schooling after sucks you do stupid jobs like kitchen duty and detail work.  Defiantly start running/  it is up and at um every morning for PT during your first 6 months to a year.  Lots of push ups and sit ups.  But you build great bonds and great friendships and you make it into what you want it can be the best experience or the worst it is all up to you!\n\nProud to be an American
235286
if u want to take care of yur kids, fine.\n\n the army and navy are still there, but please, \n\n   don't make such a drastic choice as joining the armed \n\n forces during a time of war without REALLY taking  into \n\nmind ALL optionions you have at home.\n\nhope you can find your own answer that fits \n\ngood luck
89860
Ok after reading the other responces i felt that i had to chime in.\n\nIf the army would take you for a combat arm position.\nI am afraid that they would not, But the army needs good americans for civilan positions. The postings a civie can have are alot of fun and help our soldiers in their fight. \n\nPostings are open all over the world.\n\nIf you look at www.cpol.army.mil it will show all of the open jobs with the army. If you would like to work for the government in an other capacity then check out www.usajobs.gov . \n\nAs far as the army screwing up your life i beg to differ.\n\nI am a vet. I work for the army. The army has given me everything good in my life. They got me off drugs and out of a voilent place in my life. They gave me pride and purpose. they gave me an idea of what i could be if i pushed myself. They showed me the world and paid me for it. They let me shoot stuff and basicly run around like life was a video game. They taught me to be safe and to look out for my buddy at all times. They gave me my brothers and sisters who are closer to me than family. They introduced me to my wonderful wife and have moved me to europe twice.\n\nI have to say that military service will give any young man or woman character and values that they need to truely grow up. \n\nIt's not just a job or an adventure but it is a family. Brothers and sisters in arms.\n\nIf this interests you then please check out the website. Call and talk to the recruiters and get your life started out right.
89168
i dont know where you want to proceed in your career after you get your degree,but ive got a lot of friends in the army,the national guard,and other branchs as well that got their training in the millitary and love every sec of it.I mean they get to travel the world, or stay close to home like the national guard or reserves.Plus once you get out the millitary you have one of the highest recomemdations of all.Right now you may think im a recuriter or something ,but in fact im not im a regular soldier in the national guard.My mos is millitary police.Currently im a security guard,ive already been accepted for the police dept but choose not to take the job until i turn 21.i stay close to home(20 min)and im very happy with the way i got my job and training.
497786
Speaking as a Soldier, I sure hope you can.  I know that there are many folks out there who feel that all Soldiers are warmongers who only want to go and kill and fight.  But for many of us, that isn't the case.  Soldiers (and this likely goes for all branches, not just the Army) join so that they can be a part of something that is historically honorable, noble, and disciplined.  Not everyone can be a servicemember.  It takes a definite commitment to a particular way of life.  Unfortunately, part-and-parcel to that way of life is the fact that when our government calls us to duty, we have to go whether we like the reasoning behind it or not.  That is not to say that Soldiers don't have choices.  We do. Some Soldiers have disgraced our ranks and performed heinous acts against enemy POW's like at the Ahgraib prison. But, part of our oath is that we will follow the "lawful orders of those appointed over" us.  A lawful order means that it abides by all of the rules of the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the rules set forth by the Geneva Convention.\n\nWhether our government lied to get us into this war or it was simply as really dumb judgement call by the leadership is a subject that will likely be debated well into the future. But, in the here and now our servicemen and women are far from home and in dangerous territory.  Please support them.  They support you.
111473
The reserves are a branch of the military which for the most part, are out of harms way.  But just like the military, you can be called in for an active role in any battle that they seem fit to put you in. But you do have 2 things in your fiance's  favor. The first of which, is he is in the Air Force. They do not see as much combat as let's say the Marine Corp, or the Army Rangers. Second off, he has been in for 13 years already, so I'm going to assume he's in fairly decent rank by now. Which means the possibility of him seeing combat are slim to none also.  You accepted to marry him knowing he was a military man.  Be supportive, you have little to worry about.
189701
My husband enlisted over 10 years ago at the age of 28.  Plenty of older first term enlistees in all the branches.  As long as you meet all requirements, there's no reason not to consider joining at a later age.  The maturity level(hopefully) will provide a better basis of training.
196541
I joined the AF right after the start of Desert Storm. I din't join because of the war that's just when I went in and I loved it. Spent 7 yrs in before I was diagnoised with type 1 diabetes. I think it's a great chance for one to grow without just being dumped on your own right after high school. MOST AF people are behind the scenes We didn't go on on the front lines. Not to mention the AF treats their people really well. IF you do join, just remember boot camp is a mind game, the real AF is not like what you will endure in Boot camp. I say DO IT!!
409709
Complicated question....\n\nWhen you say discharged...if you mean they served their initial 4 year (example) obligation and then were discharged from active duty 99% of soldier still have a 3 or 4 year reserve duty obligation.  Mine was 3 years.  If this is the case, yes they can be called back to active duty due to their reserve duty obligation.\n\nLegal?  Yes.  Who ever you are speaking about should have....or should now read the contract they originally signed.  It is all in there.\n\nThey don't want to go?  As I understand it they will be considered as UA...Unauthorized Absence. Then after a certain time (perhaps 10 days...nor sure of the current time frame) they will be considered AWOL....Absent Without Leave.  At this point they will start to look for the person at the last know address etc.  Then on day 31 it gets very serious.  At day 31 they can; an in my experience as a former army officer, and will be charged with Desertion. It is not automatic; it depends if the army feels the person has no intent to ever return. Minimum jail time now at Ft. Leavenworth, KS last time I checked is 5 years.\n\nYou can research it on the net.  Just Google or use any search engine you like and enter \n- UCMJ Article 85\n\nOK.... if the person in question has received their actual dischage as in Honorable, General, Less than Honorable, Dishonorable or Medical and it is so noted on their DD214.... then they have completed the full service obligaton and only an act of Congress can get them back in....and even then...what are the odds.\n\nFrom your question however it sounds like this isn't the case.\n\nI use to counsel young soldier on being UA and AWOL and had to charge one with desertion...almost 30 years ago.  If you or your friend have any particular questions or just want some feedback...hit my YID and my e-mail is available on my 360 site.\n\nAlso, I am sure other people will have more current information....I'd go with that vs. my historical data!
664342
Sorry, four years is the shortest for those branches (and that's active, you then have 4 years inactive reserve).  You can take college courses in the service and they pay for everything.  (Your GI Bill is saved for when you get out).  It wouldn't make sense to have a two year contract.  Lets take the Marines for example.  You have boot camp and after graduation you have MCT (Marine Combat Training), then you have A-school.  That's almost a year right there depending on your job and how long it took to class up in school.  They spend all that money and you serve for a year?  That's not going to happen.  Trust me, the time flies by!  If you're going to do, just bite the bullet and sign.
356094
I was in the Air National Guard and I loved it.  I was also in the Air Force Reserve for a couple of years and didn't like it nearly as much.  My Guard unit was really close-knit and fun, we were like one big family.  We always did well on our inspections because we were such a cohesive unit.  For the people that were surprised the Guard would be activated overseas, I was told by my recruiter in the beginning that the Guard/Air Guard were usually the first to go because of greater mobility.  My unit was activated during Desert Storm, and I certainly wasn't surprised.  When people ask why you joined, just tell them with pride that it's something you love doing for yourself and for your country...and they should thank you for doing it, too.  It always blows my mind when people talk so harshly against military service while they enjoy the comforts of living in this country, and aren't willing to make any sacrifices for it themselves.  If you're not willing to serve in the military yourself, at least have some common sense and decency and don't patronize those of us who do.
307455
lou, if I was still on Active Duty in the Army, you are just the person I would want in my Platoon. You want to enlist for all of he right reasons.\n\nThe Army wants people who are goal oriented. You are not taking advantage of the Army or the taxpayers for having these goals and letting the Army provide you with the skills.\n\nYou will pay me and all the other taxpayers back many times over, for the cost of your education in the Army.\n\nSo go ahead and enlist and "Be the best you can be", cause I can tell you will be one of the best.
511174
nope,too old i can't be drafted.and the soldiers that fall today are falling for different reason than the ones who fell around me in the two i fought in.i am not calling them any less but,i am saying they are fighting for a bogus reason.
364138
I not see anything wrong with the Military. If, you have a degree you may be able to enter as an officer also, which would mean better pay. You could advance your studies while in taking maybe one college course a semester. Stay for 20 years you can retire and have time to start another career. I tell my friends, do not go in as a Tank Driver, there other jobs to consider.
83666
It really is amazing how many people you find in the Army that are willing to go out of their way for you, I guess that is why `they joined up. It is one of the biggest things I miss about being in. And rizzo822002, thank you and keep your head down.