Service bound

[tombogan03884]

I've thought off and on about joining the Marines, but two things have stood in my way. One, I would only join if I were basically guarranteed a path to becoming an officer (ie, I need to get a bachlor's degree). I just don't want to be less than a Lt, no disrespect to those whom serve or have served as enlisted men. It's time I got a job where I wasn't part of the rank and file, but rather, management. The second condition happened on Nov. 4th, when the worst possible choice for Commander-in-Chief was annointed. Nothing can be done about that for four years, and by then I'll have another career and family, so it's not likely that I'd join anyway. I wouldn't dodge a draft, though. That's for liberals

Get the paid training while you can, you may need it.

[TAB]

That explains a lot

Lost the vision in my right eye serving this country...

[ellis4538]

I went in to the AF when I was 24 (back when they were drafting 24 year olds even if in college).  At the time they expected more of me - made me "Flight Leader".  Worked out OK. 

Keep your Kool and head down and AR clean.

God Bless,

Richard

[jnevis]

While I joined at 17, joining at 24 isn't a bad idea.  Llike the others said being a few years older and mature is an advantage. 

As far as having to be an O: 16 years (9 Active, 7+ Reserve) enlisted and  I have been "management" for 11 of it.  I was a shop supervisor and Aircrew Instructor and I'm a Deprtment Supervisor.  Sure there are a couple people between me and the top but even Os have someone above them.  The military is good at giving junior people the chance to lead sooner.  The enlisted guys not only lead but have a better understanding of the inner workings of the job than the Os.

I survived Bubba and I will survive OBummer.  May not ask for a retirement letter from POTUS though.

[tombogan03884]

Being an Officer is like being an elected govt official, You are in the job for a limited amount of time then have to move on to the next step on the "career track" you just start getting good at your job and get moved to something different
EM. stay in the same field as long as they are in . Officers pass on orders from above, NCO's actually get things done, ask any good officer. .

[Sponsor]

[TSB]

E-5's run the military.......E-6 through E-9 become administrators unless their directly involved in a operational division that supports combat ops of some sort.  I was a bit of a spook, Top Secret ASW ops so my enlistment was a little different than most and real technical.

One thing I wish I'd have known back in 1979 when I became a civiliian...it's about the only job left with any pension to speak of....I would have stayed for at least twenty years.  Since the Soviet Union fell in the 80's and their fleet of submarines was mothballed in the mid-nineties, I'd have been out of a job anyway...perfect timing!

Tim

[TAB]

Being an Officer is like being an elected govt official, You are in the job for a limited amount of time then have to move on to the next step on the "career track" you just start getting good at your job and get moved to something different
EM. stay in the same field as long as they are in . Officers pass on orders from above, NCO's actually get things done, ask any good officer. .

I ran a 11 m rib...

[saltydogbk]

I went in at 30 and survived basic.  Best thing I did other than my kids.

[Pathfinder]

I went in at 30 and survived basic.  Best thing I did other than my kids.

I thought the cutoff was 26 - how the hell did you get in at 30?

[TSB]

The maximum age of non-prior service enlistment, under federal law used to be age 35. In 2006 the Army convinced Congress to change this to age 44.

Regardless of federal law, the military services are allowed to impose more strict standards -- and they have. The maximum age for non-prior service enlistments for each of the services are:

Active duty Army - 42
Army Reserves - 42
Army National Guard - 42
Active duty Air Force - 27
Air Force Reserve - 34
Air National guard - 34
Active duty Navy - 34
Navy Reserves - 39
Active duty Marines - 28
Marine Corps Reserves - 29
Active duty Coast Guard - 27
Coast Guard Reserves - 27

Age waivers are possible for those with prior military service.