I’m working with a recruiter and planning on joining at age 33. Any older enlistees have any advice?

Michelle Rogers — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 10:47:58 -0400

I’m joining at age 33, will be an E-4 (I have a degree) but nervous about being an older recruit. Any advice?

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 17 at 2019 11:40 AM

SGT Nicholas M. — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:40:23 -0400

This question was asked yesterday,
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-advice-would-you-give-someone-who-is-joining-the-national-guard-at-29-years-of-age

My comment on the bottom, links to the PT Standards within Basic/AIT and the Operational Army. The sum of your question is, train in physical fitness to surpass the minimum requirements and the rest is to be open to coaching and training.

Yes at 33 years old, you have a lot of life experience, and yes at 33 it will probably suck being told what to do by someone 10+ years younger than you but you need to get over it. Life experience and military experience are two separate entities. Take your licks and conduct yourself as a professional and you will be a leader in no time.

What advice would you give someone who is joining the National Guard at 29 years of age? |...

Greetings all, I was wondering if someone can give me any advice in joining the National Guard at age 29. I wan to serve while maintaining my civilian carrer, that is why I choose the guard. My current education is in the Information Technology field, I have a BS in Computer Science and a MS in Information Security. My current MOS option is 25b, I want some advice on the matter since I really don’t have any experience within the military...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 12:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 12:15:22 -0400

I came back in at 40, so long as your are in shape you'll be fine.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 2:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 14:09:14 -0400

be in excellent physical condition and the rest will fall in place

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 3:38 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 15:38:01 -0400

I also joined at 33 and it wasn’t difficult physically (but now that I’m 42 I can tell the Army has been hard on my body and that’s why I just left active duty a few months ago for the reserves). What I didn’t like from my personal experience was getting roasted by all the guys because I was “old”. I did have a hard time socializing because all the guys my age were SFC OR 1SG’s and all the guys my rank had an average age of 22.

Basic training at 33 was an unusual experience because you’re a grown man and being treated like a kid. But overall it was a good experience.

I came in as a E-4 with a college degree because I got the student loan repayment in my contract (and it wasn’t an option if I went officer). So I got my loans paid off.

Being in the Army is something I’ll never regret and I’m actually glad I did it older because it gave me perspective that the guys right out of high school didn’t have. They were spending their mi eu as fast as it came in and I was saving.

The only thing I hated (being single) was living in the barracks. Doesn’t matter what age you are as a E-4 you’ll be in the barracks if you’re single and it was liking living in a frat house and at 33 I did not want that nonsense.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 3:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 15:40:55 -0400

Also, if you have student loans get that in your contract! You can always re-enlist for the post 9/11 GI bill later but you can’t re-enlist for loan repayment. Get the loan repayment in your fiery contract. When you’re first 4 years are done and you re-enlist you need to serve another three years to get the GI bill.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 11:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 23:27:34 -0400

I re-enlisted at 35, just make sure you are physically ready for basic/AIT and you will do fine. The hardest part was dealing with the younger soldiers immaturity at times. But I just stayed the course and rocked through it all. I made it a point to smoke them all in PT so they didn't have the ammo to call me the old guy. It actually worked out well for me as it got me positive attention from the DS's.

I can tell you this, they will look to you for advice due to your age. Be the leader they need, not the leader they want. Best of luck to you!

Response by SPC Steve Burow made Apr 18 at 2019 7:13 AM

SPC Steve Burow — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 07:13:44 -0400

Yes, don't.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2019 3:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Apr 2019 15:43:47 -0400

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. I'd say make a plan if you coming an as an E-4 what MOS (Job) will you be selecting? Once you know that I'd like at the in-service opportunities and out of the service if you were to get out opportunities and do the skill translate. There are plenty of others who join later in life you and there is nothing wrong with that. You also look at the ages for in-service programs depending on the type of degree. You may think about going to OCS or other opportunities. Prior to joining you will hear alot of thing and something you will have to take a grain of salt and have a mentor who will help you no matter if you join or not.

Response by SPC William Biles made Apr 30 at 2019 5:02 PM

SPC William Biles — Tue, 30 Apr 2019 17:02:05 -0400

I joined at 31.
Act your age, not the recent high school graduate's that you'll be surrounded by.
Get ready to be called "Old Man."
Start a PT routine before BT.
Stay awake during Power Point presentations.
Understand Drill Sgts tell and scream at you because it's their job to. Just listen to what they say and execute their lawful orders. They literally tell you how to pass everything.
Also, as an older enlistee, some/most of the kids will likely look up to you so if you're a squared away PVT, you might be given a Squad Leader, or PLT guy position.
Stay Alert, Stay Alive!
Drink Water!
Good luck

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 1:07 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 01:07:13 -0400

I swore in at 35, BCT/AIT at 36, and OCS at 39. Yes...barracks life sucks when the 18 year olds want to act like 18 year olds. I had an issue with pay being recouped. Drill Sergeant said he was taking care of it. Two weeks later, I am standing tall because he didn't take care of it and I needed answers. The mortgage company doesn't exactly understand, or care, that Drill Sergeant is taking care of it. At 68W AIT I was used as a student teacher because I was already a 12 year paramedic. The best part was the 17 year old in the next bunk at Basic. His only goal was to beat my score in the final PT test. He didn't.

Response by SFC Garry Kolberg made May 1 at 2019 1:42 PM

SFC Garry Kolberg — Wed, 01 May 2019 13:42:10 -0400

I was prior service and then after a 10 year break enlisted back in the Army. Had only one incident of being considered old and what that did was encourage me to stop smoking and take up exercising and in a decent period of time, I was doing better then many of the younger ones on the morning runs. Just be yourself and use your experience to guide you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2019 7:38 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 May 2019 19:38:18 -0400

I like older recruits. They seem to appreciate a paycheck and benifits. Make SSG as fast as you can and apply for warrant officer if it suits you.

Response by Kiersten Childs made May 7 at 2019 10:52 AM

Kiersten Childs — Tue, 07 May 2019 10:52:08 -0400

I'm enlisting at almost 27. I don't have any advice because I'm the same boat as you but my recruiter seemed happy that he has an older recruit. Since we are older and have more work experience behind us, we seem like we'd be more reliable and mature. I'm sure the pressure will be higher for us to act right and to be more responsible. I know that I'm going to try and step as a leader at boot camp.