Posted on 09/14/2001 2:20:38 PM PDT by motexva
My friends and I, all early 30-somethings, have a question we are hoping the many Freepers in the military can answer for us. We have contacted some military recruitment phone lines and web sites with our questions, but they are clearly humming along with enlistment efforts and likely too busy to answer our questions.
What are the age limits to enlist in the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard (three branches of service that interest me or my friends)? All of us are in fairly good shape, no outstanding health problems save I have seasonal allergies and my friend's shoulder has an annoying tendency to pop out of it's socket from time to time. We fear our big hangup is our age - I am 31 and turn 32 within a month, and my friends are 29 and 34. The 34 year old has 20/20 vision and is in great physical shape and is thinking of trying to join the air force.
Are we too old? Each of us has college degrees, I have a master's degree and each of us has been professionally employed from 7 - 12 years each. I think each of us has a great deal of professional skills, maturity and intelligence to offer our country in its time of need. None of us is married, and we have fathered no children. It occurs to me that there are likely younger servicepeople out there who are married and have kids. If they are being asked to sacrifice so should we.
If we are too old for the mentioned services, what about reserves, or national guard? Are we too old already?
Right now I'm wondering if I can go gaurd/reserves without having to redo bootcamp (I've been out since 94)
They have a chat room with real, live recruiters.
They have a chat room with real, live recruiters.
GENERAL MILITARY ENLISTMENT QUALIFICATIONS
| Age | Must be between 17 and 35 years. Consent of parent or legal guardian required if 17. | ||||||||
| Citizenship Status | Must be either (1) U.S. citizen, or (2) an immigrant alien legally admitted to the U.S. for permanent residence and possessing immigration and naturalization documents. | ||||||||
| Physical Condition | Must meet minimum physical standards listed below to enlist. Some military occupations have additional physical standards. | ||||||||
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| Education | High school graduation is desired by all services and is a requirement under most enlisted options. | ||||||||
| Aptitude | Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB):
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| Moral Character | Must meet standards designed to screen out persons likely to become disciplinary problems. Standards cover court convictions, juvenile delinquency, arrests, and drug use. | ||||||||
| Marital Status and Dependents | May be either single or married; however, single persons with one or more minor dependents are not eligible for enlistment into military service. | ||||||||
| Waivers | On a case by case basis, exceptions (waivers) are granted by individual services for some of the above qualification requirements. | ||||||||
Example: FBI agent: 37
Go to (I think) firstgov.com and check out the different areas.
Treasury Dept., Justice, Military.
God bless you.
I'm 34, with a Master's and prior service (Navy).
The Air Force will not take anyone under 30 for OCS. For the first time in my adult life, I'm too OLD for something! It was very depressing.
Navy - as long as you are commissioned by 35, they will take you. My application kit is being filled out AS WE SPEAK.
I'm also a husband and father of three....
I'm past it now by a couple years.
I think depending on how this proceeds there may need to be mandatory two year service for all men after High School.
It's too early to say that it will be needed, but still may be necessary.
That may be a good thing for our nation. If my youth is any example, such service would have been a good exchange. A loss of two years vs a bunch of wasted years of my own doing.
I just turned 39 a week ago today. Damn! I was a Marine for 4 years. Would they take me back in anyway? A six month deployment overseas to take out some terrorists will do wonders for my mid-life crisis and months of MRE's will be sure to bring my waistline back to at least under my age.
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