Army Raises Enlistment Age for Reservists to 39

reuteurs ^ | Mar 21 | na

[tame]

thank you SOOOO much for the link.

[babyface00]

"we need to petition my congressman to introduce legislation to exend the age for regular active enlistment to at least 39 or 40 years of age"

I wholeheartedly agree. I'm interested in the Guard/Reserve, but one of the biggest downsides is the uncertainty of deployment.

I have a good job and an established career. In my case, I have no kids but do have an established relationship (not married).

I could probably manage to get the time off for basic. I could easily do the one weekend/month, two weeks/year drills. All that is no problem.

The issue comes with a deployment, and its uncertainty - both in go/nogo and length.

I work for a small company. Regardless of the wishes of my boss, they simply couldn't leave my position vacant for six months or a year, or any open-ended timeframe. I know there are laws that come into play, but reality is often a different story.

Then there's the sudden substantial cut in pay - not a problem per se, but it requires budget adjustments, some of which can't be made at the drop of a hat.

I guess what I'm saying is it would be a lot easier to consider regular army, which is essentially full-time career change for x years, with a calculatable income stream, than it is to consider the Guard/Reserves which has a a brief but pretty substantial time commitment up front, and the possibility, but not the certainty of x years of full-time commitment, potentially on and off.

That's a lot of flux for someone who has an established career, unless you've become pretty independently wealthy.

For me, it would be an easier choice to just sell off any secured assets (car, house, etc.) to cut monthly income requirements, and go regular army. If I knew that I was going to deploy for certain and for some definite amount of time, then I could plan or at least evaluate if I could coast for that amount of time on savings/etc without liquidating secured assets.

Once you've been deployed, a lot of people will face the possibility of not being able to pick up their career where they left it off.

Now, I'm definitely not saying that these considerations rule out serving, nor negate the duty of a citizen. In fact, it highlights the incredible sacrifice these men and women are already making. I'm just saying that it makes it more difficult to volunteer, and we do have a volunteer military. Unfortunately, those who are relatively successful in life, who would seem to be desireable candidates for service, would have the most difficult time volunteering for the Guard and Reserve.

I've contacted a recruiter to find out more, but realistically, as I understand it now, I would have to make some or all of the life adjustments to go regular army, plus convince my employer to accomodate the time requirements, and then live in a state of uncertainty, both personally, and from a career perspective, for the length of my enlistment.

I'm still learning, and haven't ruled anything out, but this would have been a lot easier decision 10 or 15 years ago. Of course, the world was a lot different back then (and so was the presidential administration).

[ran15]

With no end in sight against the opponents we face, it seems the guard and reserves are not a good option for people as they are set up now.

Make much more sense to me to take instead really expand the marines and army.. and to seriously increase the pay.

In my mind army soldiers deployed should make like 200k a year. And 100k a year when at home. We seem to have no problem paying government bureaucrats, union workers, and consultants big bucks.. it shouldn't bea problem to pay our soldiers big money.

Right now we have about 550k active duty in marines and army.. if we had 1million with an average salary of 150k.. that would be 150 billion dollars a year. Our federal budget for 2005 is 2.6 trillion so it should not be a problem to find the money.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You have valid concerns and I understand that you are hesitant to jump right in.

I applaud your thought, to maybe enlist and that you will further study on the issues you mentioned.

One of my coworkers went to Iraq for a year and our employer was able to keep his position open,but I work for a big company and understand that a smaller company might not be able to do so.

Talk to your employer about it and see what he has to say on the issue.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You are welcome!

There were so many posters, wanting to have more info that I wanted to help!

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Here is another link that might help!

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,FL_age_032105,00.html?ESRC=army.nl

[Future Snake Eater]

I was in the Guard for six years in NC. We were a Mechanized Infantry battalion. Honestly, the Guard differs so widely from unit to unit. If you're really interested, talk to a recruiter, or, better yet, find a Guard unit nearby that does something that sounds interesting and ask if you can tail 'em for a drill or two, see what it's like. Usually, they're happy to accomodate you.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

I was told that anybody who's already been through Basic or bootcamp is exempt. Not sure if that's really true or not, but it did make sense. I don't know very many vets who would want to go through it again. Personally, I know I couldn't put up with the screaming, physical, and mental BS like I did when I was 17.

Interesting. I wonder if that holds true w/officers? I went through Annapolis, and I've been a civilian for 10+ years, but I'd consider serving as an e-man in the Army if I didn't have to go through that basic bullsh*t all over again.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

My husband talked to a recruiter and he doesn't have to go through Boot camp or AIT.

He's been out for 10+ years as well.
He'll have to take a four week class on how to deal with civilians and take a test.

Prior military experienced re-enlistees are exempted!

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Prior military experienced re-enlistees are exempted!

Thanks for the information---that sweetens the pot considerably.

[Mrs.Nooseman]

You are welcome!

See posts#43 and #66 both links should have that info in it!

Glad to help a former soldier willing to rejoin!

God bless you and thanks for your prior service to our nation.

[68skylark]

Sorry if I've been slow to respond to your note. I recently re-joined the reserves at age 40. Yes, your prior service (and rank) probably DO count for a lot, and the Guard and Reserve might love to talk with you if you're interested.

If I could help in any way, let me know any time.

[68skylark]

Next step: raise the army's active duty age requirement to 39 or 40 a.s.a.p.

Sorry if I've been slow to respond to your note. It's not likely that the Regular Army will raise their minimum enlistment age to 39 or 40. But you may know that those in the reserves can apply for full time duty in the "AGR" program, which is very similar to Regular Army active duty in most ways. So in a sense, the opportunity already exists. (Also, there are a few reserve units with so many opportunities for active duty schools and deployments that they are similar to active duty. I'm mainly thinking of USAR "Civil Affairs" units.) If I can help with any questions, let me know any time.

[68skylark]

Guard and Reserve recruiters aren't laughing at many people these days. If you want to touch base with them one more time, this is a good time to do it. If you have good health and enough prior service, they'll probably take you -- if you want.

[68skylark]

Sorry if I've been slow to respond to this thread. I recently re-joined at age 40. If I can help with any questions, let me know any time.

[68skylark]

Sorry I didn't look closely at this thread until today. I think your computer skills would be extremely valuable to the Signal Corps. They're just begging for reserve Signal Corps Warrant Officers. If I were you, definitely check this out. If you want to take some of the Army's on-line computer courses to make your record look even better to them, ask me how you can do that -- there are ways you could get started now if you wish.

[68skylark]

I can get answers to your questions if you want. Let me know and I'll send you a few links with info. (The short answer is that non-avaiation Warrant Officer may be a most realistic goal. But these days, there is flexibility.)

[68skylark]

The Army's Engineers are the equivalent to the Navy's Seabees. (Actually, I think they prefer the title "Combat Engineers.") I could help you get more info if you wish. I recently re-joined the military at age 40.

[exnavychick]

My youngest brother is in the Guard right now (trying to go active duty later on) and will be deploying to Iraq later this year.

If you are interested, I could put you two together...

[RasterMaster]

Any assistance will be appreciated...I am going to join, just need direction.