Commissioning age limits, why?

2015-07-13T21:23:33-04:00

If you are prior service, can get in 20 before age 60, in my case I’ll do 26, why are there age limits on commissioning if the person meets the other criteria?

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 13 at 2015 9:41 PM

2015-07-13T21:41:54-04:00

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I can speak to the Army Reserve on what I know, someone from recruiting will need to verify. Active duty I believe is 32 years, must commission by 34. Army Reserve for Direct Commission is 41 and 6 months is the age cutoff, there is a waiver process I don't know how successful candidates are in obtaining waivers. I don't know why the age limit is set.
http://stayarmyreserve.army.mil/oa_preq.htm

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Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 13 at 2015 9:50 PM

2015-07-13T21:50:17-04:00

My guess is it is considered age as a barrier for entry. Another barrier to entry is s college degree. Now if we go to WWIII, those barriers of entry will be lowered.

Response by CPT Christopher F. made Jul 13 at 2015 10:02 PM

2015-07-13T22:02:14-04:00

I think it has to do with good order and discipline, going in the same spirit of the Change of Lifestyle Chapter. If you are significantly older with a decade more experience than your Commander, insubordination will eventually happen. Then you'll hear a Second Lieutenant telling a Captain, "Sir, I was a Sergeant First Class with ten years in service while you were still playing beer pong....".

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 13 at 2015 10:07 PM

2015-07-13T22:07:17-04:00

It's similar to actuarial tables like insurance companies use. On the officer side, it's up or out under DOPMA. Also there are a number of specialties, mostly staff I believe, that have significant education, licensing, etc. that you have to get through, you don't have much service time left coming out of the pipe. Given the percentages that get dropped O-4 and above, they try to hit a sweet spot in age that any older, the odds start working against them. And... they don't like age diluting the pool. You won't find that written anywhere but I've seen it played out.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 14 at 2015 12:42 AM

2015-07-14T00:42:49-04:00

Currently 32, but it changes with the needs of the Army. What you are referring to is how long you can serve before your MRD. MRD is 28 for LTC and below, 30 years for Colonel, of federal commissioned service. There is a calculator on the HRC link, that will tell you specifically for your circumstances. I was prior service, and I did 30 years before I was 50.... I retired in 13 with 33 years/ 4 were enlisted.

http://www.goarmy.com/ocs.html

https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/reserve/soldierservices/guidance/mrdcalc.asp

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Response by LCDR Thomas Doherty (USNR-R Ret) made Jul 14 at 2015 8:09 AM

2015-07-14T08:09:07-04:00

There should be a uniform age across the services.

In my Navy OCS class we had several Air Force NCOs who got degrees but were too old for AFOCS (28) but young enough for Navy OCS (35).

This seemed like a loss to the Air Force.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2017 2:02 AM

2017-07-02T02:02:19-04:00

I find the military to be a bit behind the times. I am in graduate school, I have a wealth of experience in this organization, strong ratings, and enough youth to make a positive and long-lasting impact. However, I am not able to commission because of an age limit despite all of the other desired qualities the military seeks in a commissioned officer. Where is the added value?

To me, I think age discrimination is inhibiting the military from allocating its best talent into optimal positions. Instead, there is an emphasis on ROTC cadets who generally have little experience to be pushed into leadership roles above those who possess the experience to make a stronger impact. The logic is beyond me.

Am I sour about not being able to progress into a capacity I feel best suited? I'd be a liar if I said no. Does that affect my professionalism? Not at all. I just hope more people like me stand up and fight for a chance to have more opportunity to switch and not be relegated to middle management for their entire career.