31
31
0
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
2
2
0
1
1
0
Don't let the age wear you down, many seasoned senior NCO's will recognize your maturity. They will treat you differently and trust you more. I know when I was a platoon sergeant I had a few soldiers who were older, they had better judgement than my younger soldiers. They made it much further faster in their careers.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I enlisted at 26. In some ways it made Basic harder, but in others it was much easier. At 18 if someone yelled in my face I had to react, at least facially if not saying something. By the time I was 26 I knew enough to internalize any anger/annoyance, and was able to understand the concept "in __ more weeks I will be moving on and you will be stuck in this hellhole with the next batch."
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Yes about 11 years late, depending on Your mos and if you went to college or not. BCT is not hard ,keep your mouth shut (honesty and loyalty will get you in more trouble than you can think) and catch up on the schools you missed as a young one as quick as you can. But don't worry you will have some fine company.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I was 38 when I joined, and I convinced my daughter to join at the same time. In basic training I was on 1 side of the post and she was on the other, at Ft. Leonard wood for AIT we were 3 rooms away from each other. My Drill Sergeant called me old lady and the soldiers called me Mama Malone, so no....you didn't start too late, lol.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I was 20 when I went through basic at Benning. However, I don't mind saying that I didn't look like a 20 year old, nor did I have the mentality of such. While 28 is an older age to start military career, it's not as uncommon as you think. I had an LT who was 40 when he enlisted post 9/11. So I'm sure you have a good measure of pain and experience on your side. Best of luck to you.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
You'll be fine. I'm a female who turned 41 in BCT, and 42 in Afghanistan. For those who question it, it was in 2007, when the Army had raised the enlistment age. 28 is, in no way, too old. Go for it!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
You'll be totally fine and you'll embark on an incredible journey. Think about this... You'll be drawing a retirement at age 48 while your civilian counterparts will likely still HAVE to work. Moreover, the military will pay for your college education and set you up with a myriad employment opportunities if you choose to continue to work after the Army.
28 is YOUNG. You'll be fine.
28 is YOUNG. You'll be fine.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Not at all!
Many of the senior leaders joined later, and everyone rolls their eyes at the 26-28 year old SFCs.
Use your age and experience as a responsible adult and you will excel.
Be someone your peers look up to.
Many of the senior leaders joined later, and everyone rolls their eyes at the 26-28 year old SFCs.
Use your age and experience as a responsible adult and you will excel.
Be someone your peers look up to.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I went to basic at 21 not too bad, but I had a buddy who was 31 who put a lot of the younger guys to shame. In the military nobody cares how old you are, your rank matters and how well you do your job matters. You get out of it what you put into it.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google