Did I start my military career too late?

I did it at 34

No. You didn't start too late. Even though I joined the Army and went to Basic at 18, there were people as old as 34. You're okay.

I wouldn’t worry about it. In my last unit before I got out, we had a small handful of privates in their 30’s. At least you have some prior life experience so you (probably) won’t be lost in the sauce when your leadership asks you do do things.

You will get treated like a kid for some of it, but a lot of times people will give you the benefit of understanding that you’re more mature than your peers. I had a friend that enlisted at 37 and made it to SSG in 6 years before deciding to get out. You are in no way alone.

No, I don't think to old to service! Good Luck

The ARMY,like all other services treats its inductess at basic, like the children that want to become adults. I went thru basic training in the Air Force. We ran, went thru obstacle course, rifle range, chow hall (DFACs to you new era kids), got yelled at constantly, pulled dorm guard, mess hall duty for officers and enlisted alike, had muy training briefs and classes, marched everywhere and got our innuculations (shots) by the scores. I was 17 fresh out of high school and had only been to Mexico, to see family, 3 times in my life. Every one else had been America bound all their lives. But I had two other advantages. My dad and older brother, had been in the Merchant Marines, ARMY (dad) and Air Force (brother) and gave me some advice. Answer up quickly, don't always volunteer, play close attention to the TI (Training Instructor), keep you shoes &boots shined at all times and always keep your mouth shut. A couple of guys older than me (21 yer olds) were always in trouble for one thing or another. So age does notmake you wiser all the time. After basic, tech school and a tour in SEA,, I was stationed in Arkansas! My NCOICs and a couple of others were never further from their home state after a tour in SEA. Their home state was Arkansas! 18 to 22 years of service and they never saw much outside their home state. There was a guy who came from tech school, who was 34! He was from Arkansas also. But he enlisted late in life. Had a wife and three kids. I was his supervisor the whole four years I spent in Arkansas. So it really doesn't matter if you're 17 or 30. Starting out in the military gets you treated just the same.

You have a great advantage over the 18 year olds. You've lived a life outside the Army. Physically, you'll have to suck it up as the younger people will have more endurance. But, you have the wisdom to know what to do when it is required. Be a sheepdog, not a sheep!

I started my military career (Air Force) at 25 and stayed for 21 years. Good and bad. Good; I was more mature than my " peers" and so was give responsibilities earlier. Not so good toward the end of my career when the inevitable effects of age made it more difficult to maintain fitness standards, and some of the other activities hurt more or took longer to recover from. Enjoy your. Time in the service. Do your time with honor whether it is one enlistment or a career. You will look back on it with pride.

the young thing is for doing things when you're too stupid to know better, like jumping out of airplanes for a living, for everything else in life - Go For It

You will not get treated like a kid...you will get treated like a private. But dont worry you are not the oldest person to join the military. I went through basic with a guy that was 33 and my first sqaud ldr was in his 30s when he joined and that guy was an E7 by the time je had 8 yrs of service.