How should I decide between NG or Reserves when going back into military as an officer after years of being out?

SPC Virgil Beach — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 23:21:19 -0500

Thinking about going back in the military at the age of 41 as an officer in either the Air National Guard, Army National Guard or Air Force Reserves? Any ideas about how to make this decision?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2020 11:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 23:34:35 -0500

Start with MEPS, you are going to need an AGE waiver

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2020 11:34 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Jan 2020 23:34:46 -0500

How long have you been out? I had a 6 year break in service and I am going back to the same branch I left... Because I missed it lol

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 19 at 2020 1:00 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 01:00:32 -0500

You need to talk to a recruiter. I think you are going to run into problems with the age, even with a waiver. Find out for sure.

Are you physically ready for ROTC or OCS? I a man assuming you will be pursuing a a commission for a normal accessions type branch Vice a direct Commission (medical specialist, clergy, lawyer, or cyber).

I can't speak to the ANG or USAFR, but being a LT is a young person's game. You are expected to be high energy and all go. If you are all in, and the age waiver is there, and you are prepared to be an officer with all that comes with that, you need to move out on this before more time passes. If you pursue OCS, you'll have to sum up why you want to be an officer in the application essay.

Recommend you read The Armed Forces Officer by SLA Marshall.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Jan 19 at 2020 1:38 AM

SSG Brian G. — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 01:38:03 -0500

Congrats. About the only thing I know that will be a problem will be your age. You will need an age waiver. Get with a recruiter like ASAP. This is not one of those things you want to wait on. Time is not on your side here, literally. As LTC Jason Mackay said, LT's are all go all the time. Hope you have the energy for that and the enthusiasm. It will be needed.

Good luck!

Response by CPT Brock Young made Jan 19 at 2020 3:12 AM

CPT Brock Young — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 03:12:20 -0500

Do it..don't do it. Just know the service isn't what you left. It's changed, rotted, twisted

Response by MAJ James Fitzgerald made Jan 19 at 2020 8:41 AM

MAJ James Fitzgerald — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 08:41:09 -0500

Many NCO’s on the AF side have degrees, a number with graduate degrees. That is true for the Army side as well, but not to the extent of the AF side. You were Mech Infantry in that previous life, so unless you have a professional degree, such as lawyer, doctor, ministry, etc, you may have challenges, but possible. If you are Cyber qualified, that may be your ticket, as that area is in very high demand currently. Best of luck and remember that being a top notch NCO is not being second-class, it’s an earned honor.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2020 9:18 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 09:18:56 -0500

My recruiter said he has gotten applicants commissioned, with a waiver, up to age 36. I've seen a few on RP suggest 37 but nothing more.
Your best bet would be the National Guard but you'll need a guard recruiter to tell you.
Make sure it's in your contract! Don't let him convince you that you need to re-enlist first and you can apply for OCS later!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 19 at 2020 9:43 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 09:43:52 -0500

So you’ve been out for about 20 years. First challenge may be age. The services have age limits for officer training. The limits can be waived. Second talk with recruiters from Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. Look for the Service that offers you the best deal. Depending on your Goals that may include credit for previous active and reserve service, MOS/AFSC, location, officer training, and accession date. Take the best offer regardless of Service.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 19 at 2020 11:03 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 11:03:40 -0500

I only have experience in the Army National Guard, so I can tell you their rules. As Prior Service, you can re-enlists as long as you can still get enough good years to get a Reserve Retirement at age 60. So if you have 4 years Active Duty, in theory you can re-enlist until you are 44 if you can make it through MEPS. Army, Army Reserve and Army National Guard all require you to enlist to attend OCS, no difference there, but in the Active Army it requires a waiver to Commission past the age of 33. I assume that you already have a Bachelor Degree? In theory you can attend OCS and Commission in the Army National Guard with 90 credit hours, in practice it puts you below everyone with a degree. A lot of states won't look at you unless you have that degree. Have you been out more than five years?
If so, you will probably be required to attend BCT, AIT or OSUT again.
One final note, you have to be able to serve at least 10 years as an Officer before retirement.
I would hit up your local NG recruiter and tell him you are interested in coming back in on an OCS contract. That should put you on the right path.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jan 19 at 2020 1:29 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 13:29:32 -0500

I'd go back in as a E-4.. and sign up of an OJT... MOS.or AFSC. I rejoined at age 46. Then work on the officer angle. You will have 19 years to get your 20. Many of the older officers were brought in at enlisted to finish their careers. Or do SMR State Military Reserves or State militia.

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2020 7:25 PM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 19:25:56 -0500

All I can say is good luck to you sir. I went to my two summers of OCS at ages 20 and 21, and I already had prior service in the reserves, and it nearly killed me. I looked at the 27-year-olds (up to 30 if they were prior), and I just didn’t know how they could hack it. And I was a young guy. Brutal. If I had to go back to Quantico again, I’d just resign my commission or go UA.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2020 9:57 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 09:57:44 -0500

Warrant is the best option obviously ;)

However, the only thing that 11Bs can transfer to is Aviation applicant which you are too old for. If you have technical experience in Information Technology you could go 255A direct. I wouldn’t go through OCS in your situation but that is only my personal opinion. Good luck with whatever you choose

Response by MAJ Jason Sierakowski made Jan 20 at 2020 8:36 PM

MAJ Jason Sierakowski — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 20:36:09 -0500

It depends on what your goals are. Your ultimate end state. Figure those out first. Talk to a National Guard Recruiter (I don't know if there is an Officer Recruiter like Active Army), and ask questions. Rinse and repeat with Army Reserves and Air Force Reserves. Happy Officer applying!

Response by 2LT Earl Dean made Jan 21 at 2020 10:30 PM

2LT Earl Dean — Tue, 21 Jan 2020 22:30:06 -0500

I'm partial to army national guard and I really think of you planning on getting promotions is probably the best bet. One thing you must consider as you must be prepared to be deployed. It may happen Less in the future, but for now I'd be prepared for that. Like any infantry soldier I hope you have great legs and strong back. Good luck and may the Lord be with you