Joining the Navy at 27?

[MBrown]

I am 24 now and in a couple of years I'll have my bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems. I already have an associate in Electronic Engineering Technology. But I was thinking about joining when I get my bachelors because I could be an Officer, but I was wondering if its worth it going in at the age I will be. Have any of you joined that old before?

 

[lozina]

the oracle

 

[nick1985]

Why would there be a problem? Joining the armed services, especially as an officer, should be seen as an honerable thing.

Plus, they will likely repay your student loans for you.

 

[MBrown]

the oracle

I've already asked "the oracle". I am looking for opinions from people on this board.

 

[x-alki]

I've already asked "the oracle". I am looking for opinions from people on this board.

That could be a dangerous thing.

 

[Imported]

A female friend of mine just joined the Air Force.. she's 26. Seems she's having fun with it so far.

 

[allthatisman]

I recently looked into the Naval Officer Reserves (I am 30, so that was my only option)... you may be a bit on the old side for OCS at age 27, but things could change. At the moment the Navy is not hurting for people, so competition is a bit tougher than it has been in the past. If you have no house, wife/girl, kids tying you down, and you don't mind waking up early, I would say go for it. The benefits are very good, and for a single guy with no ties, it can be VERY lucrative.

Keep in mind that as an officer, they typically want an 8 year commitment from you as opposed to the 4 year commitment that the enlisted sign up for. I ended up no following through with it because my wife decided that we should have kids, and I was going to go for intelligence, which would have meant long deployments...

No matter what you do, don't let them talk you into signing up as an enlisted with the hope of entering OCS later on.

 

[rudder]

If you haven't noticed in recent years... age limits have been bumped way up.

My only advice would be do it only if you want to serve your country. Going in for any other reason will lead to you being bitter if things don't turn out how you expected.

Going in at 27 you can still have a full career in the Navy. If you are not going for a career, just look at the commitments required and decide if it is for you.

 

[NetWareHead]

The benefits are very good, and for a single guy with no ties, it can be VERY lucrative.

Any information online? I'm interested how lucrative and what the benefits/committments are...

 

[Nebor]

The Navy's information technology field is not a direct accession branch, as far as I know. I worked with a couple sailors that were in the IT field in Afghanistan. They were all E7 & O4 and higher. So you'll likely have to do some time in a line job (think SWO, aviation, etc.) before you'll be able to move into IT work.

 

[allthatisman]

Any information online? I'm interested how lucrative and what the benefits/committments are...

Most of my information came from the internet and also some officers that my parents put me in contact with. They sell real estate up on Whidbey Island(Washington State) and there is a Naval Air Station there. They have sold houses to many young officers, and I talked at length with a couple of them. Their opinions were a mixed bag, but since I already work for the government, I am used to many of the gripes they had. As far as benefits and what makes it lucrative, you get veteran status after your commitment is up(if you choose to get out afterward). This in and of itself, when applying for government jobs at least, is huge. There is also the prospect of them paying for something like graduate school, or getting your law degree etc... I didn't really ask about this though. The deployed pay was quite good, being that your housing is paid for, you work a lot, so you can't really spend a lot and you can pretty much extend as much as you want. I don't have exact numbers, but I think one of the guys I spoke with was bringing home over $11k a month as an O-3, but don't quote me on that though. If you are a single guy, in this job market... I don't know of many other careers that give you the benefits and options that something like the Navy has.

BTW recruiters are VERY hit an miss. Some will simply try to get you into a $40,000 Kia, and others will try and help you. Take EVERYTHING with a grain of salt and be sure to research everything above and beyond what they tell you.

 

[Nebor]

Not a lot of O-3s are going to be make $11k a month, even deployed. The Navy does have some specialty fields that pay huge bonuses. Nuclear officers, for example. I knew a nuke LT that was working as a postal officer in Kabul, pulling in his $25k\yr bonus on top of combat pay.

 

[Strk]

I'd say the biggest factor would be getting bounced around. Junior officers aren't exactly stationary. The problem is a lot of people tend to be tied down a bit more at 27 than 22 (I.e. right out of college).

 

[dainthomas]

I am 24 now and in a couple of years I'll have my bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems. I already have an associate in Electronic Engineering Technology. But I was thinking about joining when I get my bachelors because I could be an Officer, but I was wondering if its worth it going in at the age I will be. Have any of you joined that old before?

I was in boot camp with a guy in his 40's, and this was back in 1990. Officers I think can get in up to 35 or so.

Like others have said, if you already have a degree, don't enlist. Other than that I don't see the issue as long as you're not saddled with a bunch of dependents or something.

Also, OCS is much more challenging than boot camp from what I've heard. So you can't be a pansy (this alone might disqualify most IT types).

 

[marvdmartian]

I have a friend who just turned 30, and has been in the air force for a couple years now. He finally got tired of jobbing it, and talked to his brother (who had been in for a while already, and was doing recruiting duty at that time), then decided that a career beat the shit out of a job.

The only tough part might be the physical effort to do the PT, compared to the 18 & 19 year olds that enlist, or the 22 year olds fresh out of college.

 

[911paramedic]

I have a friend who just turned 30, and has been in the air force for a couple years now. He finally got tired of jobbing it, and talked to his brother (who had been in for a while already, and was doing recruiting duty at that time), then decided that a career beat the shit out of a job.

The only tough part might be the physical effort to do the PT, compared to the 18 & 19 year olds that enlist, or the 22 year olds fresh out of college.

Navy boot was a joke when I went through it back in '84 and I heard they made it even easier now. Sure, there is a lot of marching around and "time in the gym*" but it isn't nearly as much as the ground pounders go through. Boot (Navy) is more of a mental test with a bunch of school time and discipline thrown into the mix.

*gym - when you push all the racks up against the wall so the barracks are totally open in the middle, resembling a gym. Jogging in place, pushups, 8-count body builders, sharks (a favorite), sit-ups, etc. aka, Gym Time.

 

[Sinsear]

In at 27 retired at 47.

 

[Minjin]

I am 24 now and in a couple of years I'll have my bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems. I already have an associate in Electronic Engineering Technology. But I was thinking about joining when I get my bachelors because I could be an Officer, but I was wondering if its worth it going in at the age I will be. Have any of you joined that old before?

You haven't told us why you want to do this. There are some very good things about being in the military (especially as an officer) and there are some very bad things. The only bad side about going in at 27 is that you'll have 22 year olds who just got out of the Academy with more seniority and that can be annoying as many of them have a real chip on their shoulders.

 

[Capt Caveman]

:whiste:

Where can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography
Sign of for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet


In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)


They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit


If you like adventure
Don't you wait to enter
The recruiting office fast
Don't you hesitate
There is no need to wait
They're signing up new seamen fast
Maybe you are too young
To join up today
Bout don't you worry 'bout a thing
For I'm sure there will be
Always a good navy
Protecting the land and sea


In the navy
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy
Come on now, people, make a stand
In the navy, in the navy
Can't you see we need a hand
In the navy
Come on, protect the motherland
In the navy
Come on and join your fellow man
In the navy
Come on people, and make a stand
In the navy, in the navy, in the navy (in the navy)


They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit


Who me?


They want you, they want you
They want you as a new recruit


But, but but I'm afraid of water.
Hey, hey look
Man, I get seasick even watchin' it on TV!


They want you, they want you in the navy


Oh my goodness.
What am I gonna do in a submarine?


They want you, they want you in the navy

 

[Numenorean]

You're supposed to join before that and get them to pay for your school. I don't think it works the other way around.

 

[Zebo]

Navy? Extended stays on Boats with men? Gay uniforms? someone basically watching you 24/7 since it's a boat and all. Think about that.

I'd join Air Force if I wanted easy life with most bases here and good food.

Marines to kill people legally.

 

[911paramedic]

You haven't told us why you want to do this. There are some very good things about being in the military (especially as an officer) and there are some very bad things. The only bad side about going in at 27 is that you'll have 22 year olds who just got out of the Academy with more seniority and that can be annoying as many of them have a real chip on their shoulders.

lol, damn butter bars.

 

[dainthomas]

You're supposed to join before that and get them to pay for your school. I don't think it works the other way around.

I'm pretty sure you can a big chunk of student loans waived.

 

[Zebo]

Why not join ROTC right now if you gotta a couple years left? They will pick up tab from here on out and you get a chance to see if you dig military life. If not you just pay em back.

 

[Jumpem]

My cousin is joining at 28. He has a bachelors degree, but he is enlisting anyway.