I am 35 and just enlisted. What can I expect?

Hello Zach,
First off, thank you for enlisting in military service. Second, you have to take care of your body being that you are going to have more stressors; physically and mentally at your age. You have the advantage of life experiences on your side so this should help you with making good sound decisions. I'm going to recommend that you do some research and get some nutritional supplements. I retired after 20 years of service and I did not become a Police Officer until 5 years later. I went through a four month regional training academy and the mental stress wasn't that bad due to my military experience. The physical stress from smoke sessions and physical training is what truly challenged me. If you want a recommendation for a great company with awesome leadership and top notch affordable products I can provide one. Overall, continue to prepare f your mind and body for the challenges that await you. You can visit my website at 12715.Anovite .com when you have time. Good luck and God bless!

I'm a 39 yr old spc 15N. I enlisted at 33. Most of the info is correct. However, you will be picked on by the younger guys, my advise. Bring.a.hammer. take the kids to school. Don't hold back on the insults, crass language and general meaness. Show them that old men can kick their young brats ass any day of the week. This military isn't theirs...its ours damn it......now where's my ibuprofen?

Well my friend, I joined a combat MOS (13B) at 34 so lets talk. You can expect BCT to be easier for you than you are expecting. The Drills wont mess with you as much because you are older and have lived on your own out of the Army. That doesn't mean relax or don't try, it just means the target on your back isn't as big as the 19 year old Dog Food Specialist standing next to you in formation that wont shut up about deploying and getting to shoot people. (true story) That being said I made it a point to smoke those young guys in PT every chance I got. I didn't want to give the Drills any opportunity to single me out or decide I was weak because of my age. All and all I had a good experience. I got smoked, I got yelled at, just like everyone else but I had the wherewithal to take all the training to heart and make the best out of a crappy situation. The young guys will look up to you because of your age and my best advice to you is, Don't let them down.

I joined when I was 33 and it was hard and physically challenging but very rewarding. I did 20 years and never once did I quit or whine. I just did exactly what I was told and listen and learned. Its rough but rewarding.

Don't forget the reason you enlisted. That'll keep you focused when you have nothing left... and the Army has a way of finding that place in every recruit. Then, stay focused on what's in front of you while in training. There is no long term anything if you fail to become proficient at the task at hand. Lastly, do what you're told to the best of your abilities all the time. Do not worry about sleep. Do not entertain the sniffles or cough. Do not consider aches and pains. Be a good soldier. Go all in. Don't do anything half way.

Remember the rules and regulations, for the most part on run days alot of the youngsters can run a 10-13 min 2 miles, if you can't do that don't stress but push yourself

I was 33 when I started Basic Training, Check your ego at the door, you are no different than any other recruit. Like the others said, Run and run some more. That to me was the biggest challenge. It's a mind game, go with it. Build a relationship with other recruits, treat others as equals. You are all there for the same thing, maybe for different reasons, but the same training. These are people who will learn to lean on each other for support. Offer advice on your experience, but don't force it on others, they will resent you. Listen to their ideas, I learned as much from some 18 year olds as I did from some career soldiers. Remember, It's a couple of months of physical/mental building followed by school with physical/mental maintenance. Just keep your eye on the finish line, getting to your first unit and starting your new life.

Depends on the job really. It’ says posted to UH60 repair so I take it an air winger. Running and pushups is all you need to do. I joined last January at the age of 30 but I’m infantry so it was a tad tougher for basic. You will be sore all the time and take longer to recover but nothing you can’t handle. I went in slightly out of shape so it shouldn’t be hard if you’re in shape. I also attended airborne school and that is nonstop running. No one will look to you for guidance because you’re gonna go with know it all teens so prepare for that. Once you get to your unit that’s where the difference really is. For POG world it must be a nicer place, for me it was a pretty smoke filled time for a few months. I’m in the 82nd so different beast. Just do what you’re told when you’re told, right place right time right uniform. And embrace the suck.

I agree with all the others, RUN and RUN some more. Be in the best physical condition you can .

I joined when I was 30. I turned 31 in AIT. Here's what I observed at that age. I suffered from male-pattern baldness starting at age 29. I shaved my head and still do. You aren't allowed to shave your head in BCT. It's a hygiene issue apparently. You get haircuts every other week or so. Obviously, my hair didn't grow the same as the kids so I got a nickname from that and was sometimes called grandpa. Be prepared to get razzed. Grow a thick skin.

You're going to notice immediately that the Drill Sergeants are about your age. Let your ego go. Do what you're told.

Since you're older, you might notice really quickly that the whole thing is a mind game. Play the game by the rules. It is a mind game. Just ride it out. You're likely going to be a bit more disciplined than the kids. Be an example. Also, some of the kids are going to resent you. Deal with it. For me, in the end, I made great friends, but you likely won't see any of those cats from BCT/AIT/OSUT for the rest of your life unless it's in passing or maybe one or two will go with you to your next duty station. The point is, it's a temporary arrangement. Do your best!

I remember on fill-day that I was formed up in the kill zone in our barracks. We'd just gone through all the screaming, briefings, push-ups, etc. Some of the kids were stressed. When we got into the kill zone and I set all my stuff down, my BCGs (glasses) fell off my face for some reason; probably from the sweating. When they hit the ground, they broke. I was in the front rank so both of my Drill Sergeants watched this happen. At least one of them got in my face threatening UCMJ violation of destroying government property. I immediately recognized that they were reaching for words trying to make it a stressful thing. I just nodded it off and carried on.

In short, you'll notice things, but over all, as long as you're in shape and can deal with the mind game, you should be fine. Just do what you're told. Be a good Soldier. I'm a Staff Sergeant now with 15 years in the Reserves. My Army career has been pretty good over all.