Joining the Army

[Revolver Justice]

I have done some soul searching lately and I have decided to pursue enlistment in the Army. What I am wondering is am I to old? I just turned 29 and will that affect my chances in the Army? I know I need to lose some weight? Any advice would help. Thanks

 

[psyopspec]

I went through basic and AIT with two older gentlemen, one 28 and the other 31. You're coming down to decision time, but age alone wouldn't be a disqualifier. Physical fitness, the ability to put up with the mind games and take orders from people around my age (21) are the bigger obstacles you'll face being a bit older, in addition to all the soldiering. But it can be done.

 

[threefeathers]

It was common in the draft era, after fininshing school you got drafted. I was 34 when I went back in. It was demanding but really able to take it and you will be on the fast track for promotion. Go Airborne.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Boot camp is great place to lose weight. If you pay attention, do what you're told, give your best effort and aren't anyone's headache you'll do fine. 29 isn't too old but I'd start serious PT-ing now. Your age can be an asset in terms of maturity level, both perceived and real. Best of luck.

 

[Thin Black Line]

There's no problem with your age and Basic will bring you into shape.
You will have plenty of PT time in CONUS, but it's difficult to do once
you're deployed in some places. Just remember not to eat as much
at the DFAC when you're not training as heavily.

Oh, yeah, and prepare for desert conditions next year.....

 

[tankertom]

I went through basic (Armor OSUT) at 27. Lost a lot of weight. It was challenging but doable.

The mind games can be irritating and getting in trouble because you don't have a beard like a 17 year old can be downright aggravating. 5 O'Clock shadow at 3 in the afternoon messes with the drill sergeants.


tt

 

[pdt203]

PT! PT!
Good for you! Good for you!
Good for me! Good for me!

We had a 28yr old go through boot camp with us in San Diego. He did fine, but he had been conditioning for a few months. Good luck in the Army.

Ooh Rah!

 

[SamlautRanger]

Good for you on joining. It takes a lot of courage and you are to be honored for willing to serve. I think you will find out there are a lot of men in their mid-20s to upper 20s that are now joining. I know several who are in their late 20s who got bored with civilian life and have joined up. You will not have a problem at all. Just start doing some light PT before going in and stay away from the complex carbs (white bread, potatoes, pasta, pizza) and sweets and sodas and you will do fine.

 

[Sean Smith]

The most important thing is to realize that if the recruiter doesn't put it in writing, it doesn't exist. Conversely, the army is actually pretty good about giving you what is written in your enlistment contract.

 

[Vitamin G]

Not to hijack your thread, but you might find some of it useful also, so i'll go ahead and ask...

I've also been considering some branch of the armed services. I'm 25, and just recieved my master's degree in counseling. It seems a little selfish, but i'd really like to be an officer if i join. Does any branch put that in writing if i were to sign up? Would they put that in writing if i was interested in the reserves? Any branch?

What should I look for in a "good" contract to sign? Anything in particular that i should negotiate beforehand? I had a few friends who joined up awhile back that i've falled out of touch with, and i remember them saying that they could have gotten a much better deal if they had known basic info before just signing up.

 

[Harry Paget Flashman]

Vitamin G. Pretty much two separate deals. You enlist as an enlisted man or sign up for officer candidate training. If you want to be an officer go that route from the get go. Otherwise you go to "boot camp" twice. It's something you only want to do once. You are the one with leverage at the recruiter's office. If your requests are doable the recruiter will have no problem putting it in writing.

 

[Universal]

First of all; good for you (wanting to join). Not joining is the one thing I regret. I am a retired police officer and I tell myself that I served my country...sort of. With regards to your weight; there is information on the web that will tell you how much you can weigh compared to your height before the Army considers you too heavy.

Good luck and thank you for doing a good thing.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Get in shape and enlist Airborn Inf. If your going, go all the way. My boy got out in march was with the 101st in the sand box from day 1 as a grunt. Like my tour in Nam. A experiance he will never forget and he is now a better citizen for it. He learned just how great America really is.

 

[isp2605]

Vitamin G,
Just because you want to be an officer don't mean they'll take you as an officer. Everyone seems to want to be an officer. There are only so many officer slots. It's not the turn over rate as enlisted. You can try but don't be disappointed if it doesn't come. There's a lot of competition. Having a degree doesn't mean they'll give you a commission. I had enlisted working for me who was a lawyer, a medical degree, some with double MAs, school teachers, etc.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Vita G,

Depending on your exact degree and licensure you could get what's called
a Direct Appointment or Direct Commission as an officer. There may not
be openings in all branches, though. Don't just show up at the recruiter's
office saying you want to "enlist." You must inquire directly about the
DA/DC. Find a healthcare recruitment officer in the branch you're interested
in. If there's no opening, check out another.

Prepare for hot, dry, sandy weather next year.....

 

[atomchaser]

Vita G-

You need to talk to a recuiter and have them hook you up with someone who does officer accessions. I a lot depends on exactly what degree you have and what the needs of the service you're trying to get into. You probably have the best shot at the Army. The Air Force is hard right now as we are having an officer draw down and accessions are limited, espcially for non technical folks. Talk to all the services and see what they have to offer.

 

[Vitamin G]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[wingnutx]

RUN. Run some more. Best acclimate before you have a DI screaming at you.

 

[Zip06]

If you want to do counseling there are several ways to go. First, Officers who do counseling (in a clinical or pastoral setting) are Social Workers (MSW), Psychologists (Ph.D.) or Chaplains. Social Workers and Psychologists are Medical Service Corps Officers and are Direct Commissioned. Chaplins are credentialed by whatever demonination they belong. Enlisted counselors are 91G's that is a Behavior Science Specialist and they receive what is essentially college level training at Fort Sam Houston Texas and work under the supervision of Social Work Officers or Psychologists.

 

[scout26]

Go Armor (19D-Cav Scout or 19K-M1 Crewman).

Better to ride into battle wrap in Chobham steel, then walk there in cotton armor.

Plus shooting a 120mm smoothbore is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Jump school is fun also.

 

[jrfoxx]

FWIW, i joined the Navy at 27 and did better than most of the young guys. I feel my mindset from being older helped me out in certain situations where the younger guys had trouble. also, i was only mildly in shape my advice is to concentrate on as much distance running as you can in the mean time (1.5-6 miles.) good luck

singing:
...hey, Army...i say, what are you doin'....hop in your tanks and follow me....i'm in the U.S......NAVY!

 

[Thin Black Line]

Minor correction in that the enlisted counselors are 91X. If you
already have a graduate degree in counseling, the training a
91X gets is far below that. Again, work with a medical officer
recruiter.

 

[demusn1979]

Do It

i went in 25 yrs ago.it was great.i saw the world.and now am entitled to free medical(well almost) small co pay for meds.

GO NAVY


USS NASSAU (LHA-4)

FLY NAVY