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I'm 28 years old and I'm about to ship to BCT in a few weeks. Some family and friends are telling me the enlisted in the Army. At a old age the i should have done this 10 years ago. Army is for younger men because I'll be a old private the i mighty get thread like a kid. But I see it like that there reason I choosing this path and why I'm choose this at this point in my life. Do im starting my ARMY carrer to late?
Enlisted
Recruit
Military Family
Family
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 72
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I was 34 when I went to BCT and OCS. This will come off as bragging - but I found a ton of energy and drive in the fact that I was smoking 90% of the class in PT, skills being taught, and getting the job done. I didn't need the sleep and spoon feeding most others did. Yes...I'll be as bold to say that I enjoyed basic - a lot. I enjoyed and respected my DS's too. A great time in my life. I had a master's degree, almost 20 years experience in IT - and I was among people who didn't give a shit. I loved being me - just stripped down, regular ol me - who turns out kicks ass. Find that inner "you" and enjoy this incredible time. Good luck bro.
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No, Army basic training is not particularly hard, just exhausting. I think it's better to start later in life because you're more able to recognize and assess the value the Army has for you. Most of the kids - yes, children - you will join with, have never had a job, never lived alone, or ever been away from their parents. They treat the Army like it's their parents, they need to rebel, and life isn't fair.
People who have had real jobs have the experience to look at the military, assess its cost and value to them. For me, I value that it covers any and all medical and housing expenses for my family. Even if that means occasionally being away from home. Plus it will pay for an Associates, Bachelors, part of a masters, and I can transfer my GI Bill to my children. Once I retire I can draw my pension while starting a new career in my early 40s and having inexpensive Healthcare.
Yes, you'll he treated like a kid for a while. Just do your work and you'll be in charge very shortly.
People who have had real jobs have the experience to look at the military, assess its cost and value to them. For me, I value that it covers any and all medical and housing expenses for my family. Even if that means occasionally being away from home. Plus it will pay for an Associates, Bachelors, part of a masters, and I can transfer my GI Bill to my children. Once I retire I can draw my pension while starting a new career in my early 40s and having inexpensive Healthcare.
Yes, you'll he treated like a kid for a while. Just do your work and you'll be in charge very shortly.
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SPC (Join to see)
English is my second language I know I made mistake in my grammar I’m working on it. At the end I’m carry my self as a professional soldier the I am.
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SFC Don Ward
CSM John Mead - English used to be the language of the service, today not so much. Go ahead and tell some private "speak English or shut the hell up" and see where it gets even a senior NCO. I retired just a few years ago, and wouldn't have told a troop in any unit to speak english, it's just not "diverse" enough today.
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CSM John Mead
SFC Don Ward - Reread my post. I never said that he had to speak English or shut the hell up. You're making up things that I didn't say. Regardless of what you say, and whether or not we have service members possessing English as a second language, "English" is still the official language of not only the Armed Forces, but this country. If you have a soldier who is not proficient in English, again, your success at mission accomplishment will suffer. As a leader, it's your job to make sure that he understands his instructions. You said that English used to be the language of the service, but not so much today. It may not be so unofficially, as many of our soldiers have different backgrounds, gravitate to those with the same, and speak a common tongue together. That in itself does not nullify what our official language is. Once again, if any soldier is to succeed, he/she needs to be proficient in both spoken and written English. That isn't hard to comprehend. At least, not in English!
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SFC Don Ward
CSM John Mead Not putting words in your mouth - stating what I had personally witnessed. I enlisted I 1982, had several that did not speak English as primary and it got worse through the years instead of better. Tests written in Spanish, or spoken translations.
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No you are fine. 28 is in fact a prime age. Your maturity and discipline should be at a higher rate than other recruits. It is a young persons game, you are young. I had Soldier well into their 30’s enter and excel. Good luck.
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No! Don't let everyone make you feel less than because you "waited too long" I was 30 when I shipped and I'm doing just fine. We all walk a different path in life, follow yours!
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SPC (Join to see)
No! You have at least 32 years before MANDATORY retirement. You are doing just fine.
Engineering is a great field in the Army and is needed in the civilian world.
Don't second guess yourself, execute on the opportunity you have in front of you!
God Speed in your career.
No! You have at least 32 years before MANDATORY retirement. You are doing just fine.
Engineering is a great field in the Army and is needed in the civilian world.
Don't second guess yourself, execute on the opportunity you have in front of you!
God Speed in your career.
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I had a Soldier that was 40 as one of my students when I instructed. I thought it was a typo when I saw the roster. That made him two years my elder at the time I was in the schoolhouse. But the first day of class sure enough; there he is with the rest of his class. We had a mutual understanding; I respected him for choosing the career path and his desire to serve; even at such an older age. He respected me for my rank and that I had knowledge he desired to gain and was willing to impart. Just remember to stay focused on why you're doing this and everything will fall into place.
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Guess it all depends on what you want to achieve in your career. You're 28 yrs old. Did you receive e a college degree? If so I would look into a Direct Comission as an officer. If not there are plenty of jobs as an NCO that can be fulfilling line Drill Instructor (DI). Good luck whatever you choose
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