I'm 30 and seriously considering enlisting US Army

[Maetryx]

Maetryx here,

Yep, turned 30 this year and it seems my clock is running out. I'm already too old for the Marines, the Air Force and the Coast Guard. The Navy isn't nearly as family friendly as the US Army, and I've always been partial to it anyway. My big plan is to lose 40 lbs or so and enlist next spring. I've lost 6lbs since I started on a weight loss diet.

In fact, my absence here (not that anyone noticed I imagine) was due to me living my life at about.com. I've learned a LOT from that site about the route to Officer Candidacy School via the enlisted ranks. With my 4-year degree, I would go in as an E-4. In about a year, I'd be E-5, eligible to apply for OCS with an age waiver (30 - 34 requires an age waiver to go to OCS).

I'm really undecided as to which MOS is the most rewarding. Hey, I would already be serving my country and doing my duty, so I can spend some time up front trying to choose a path that leads to some enjoyment or personal gain. MOS is the equivalent of an Army job, BTW. There are 212 to choose from, according to GoArmy.com

If anyone has any first hand advice about military service, I'd love to hear it.

 

[Pyroclazm]

Be all you can be man

 

[RossMAN]

Read this thread first.

 

[Maetryx]

I've read that other thread, and I feel sorry for the fellow that had the bad experiences in the military. However, one telling point is that he enlisted when he was 17. I suspect he had little idea what he was getting into or how to make it better for himself BEFORE signing the enlistment contract.

I've already been researching. I've actually read the enlistment document. Did you know that you are singing up for a minimum of an 8 year commitment? You are on reserve for the balance of the 8 years when you get out earlier than that.

Anyway, I've got both eyes wide open. My decision is *not* a reaction to the recent terrorism. This is probably the 4th time since I got out of college that I have contacted a recruiter. But this time my clock is running out and the timing couldn't be better. My wife is graduating college next semester, so we have to move anyway (we live in family housing on campus).

I will take a pay cut moving from my engineering job to the military, but it isn't overwhelming since I will never be lower than E-4 with housing and medical insurance. Then, if I make it into the officer ranks in a couple years, I'll be doing better than I am now. I'm gung ho about the whole thing. I'm up to 27 pushups. I got my campus affiliate membership at the gym renewed. I can't go 5 minutes without thinking about it.

 

[Hamburgerpimp]

You'll shoot your eye out.

 

[burnedout]

Maetryx: I served 20 in the Army and retired last year.

You aren't too old. Although most of the new enlistees are between 17-21, I worked with a few who were in their early 30s.

The key part for you going in will be the ability to take orders from younger men without degrees. Once you get over that, you must impress your superiors so that you may attend OCS. Usually older men do better than younger because they are more mature.

There are all types of enlistment options. Technical MOS carry longer enlistments. When going in, consider your future when taking an MOS.

If you would like detailed info, PM me.

 

[propellerhead]

Can't you go directly into the officer corps? Maybe it only applies to the USAF, but with an accredited degree, you should be able to apply for OCS. No?

 

[HowardStern]

Also take into consideration WRT the pay is that engineerring salries are likey to continue their decline in the outside world whilee in the Army it won't.

 

[ajskydiver]

I made the same point in a PM, propellerhead.

Get into OCS without enlisting...if you can't, don't think it'll change once you're in

~AJ

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Well, I was at the grocery store last night, and the latest World News Weekly cover story says that Bat Boy (The half-bat, half-boy hybrid) has signed up to join the Marines "to help fight evil." If the military is good enough for Bat Boy, it is good enough for you.

 

[Maetryx]

<< Can't you go directly into the officer corps? Maybe it only applies to the USAF, but with an accredited degree, you should be able to apply for OCS. No? >>



I do meet the technical requirements to enter OCS directly (if I understand them correctly) but for several reasons, I don't want to do that.

1) Officers do not get to select their MOS (job)
2) Officers have no say in where they will reside
3) Officers that spend some time in the enlisted ranks have more immediate respect from the enlisted soldiers
4) Enormous enlistment bonuses ($) apply only to enlisted ranks

Now I've heard it argued both ways about the chances of moving from enlisted ranks to OCS in a couple years. I think, from carefully reading all the arguments, that I'm ahead of the game for the simple fact that I'm *already* qualified. In that regard, the enlisted time will be just bonus on the application. I'm not trying to get in on some "4-year degree equivalent work experience gained through evening classes and military training", or whatever. I *have* the 4-year degree. I plan on having my professional engineering license next April. I think the Army would be well served by placing a professional engineer in their officer ranks.

I'm a long way off from sigining an enlistment contract. I've got 40lbs or so to lose, and don't plan on joining until next spring. Maybe by then I'll change my mind, but I don't think so. I've been trying to talk people into joining with me via the Buddy Program (automatic promotion, training together). *cough*Shotgun Steve*cough*