If I were interested in joining the Air Force Reserve at 38, would that be a good idea?

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Fri, 22 May 2015 11:24:04 -0400

Airforce buddies help me out!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 11:24 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 11:24:31 -0400

It is worth checking.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:08 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:08:01 -0400

I'm 37 & in the process of joining the air guard. If you still hear "the call", you can always try to answer it. I would suggest talking to a reserve/guard recruiter to see what jobs are available.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:16 PM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:16:24 -0400

I know a lot that have done it and coming in as a higher rank especially an nco will defiantly help the younger Airmen find a specialty you love and would want to do and become the best

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made May 22 at 2015 12:16 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:16:51 -0400

I went from Army and Army Guard to Air Guard and Air Force. A couple things to keep in mind: 1. Air Force is NOT the Army. Less history, less tradition.... it was difficult for me for a number of years. 2. Air Force is NOT the Army (#2). Air Force takes better care of its people (my opinion). 3. Air Force is smaller and has "fewer openings". They are less likely to take retreds/prior service from other branches UNLESS you are bringing a specific skill set that the AF wants/needs. BUT with all that being said, GO FOR IT! Can't hurt to try!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:16 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:16:33 -0400

Do it! Its worth it!!

Response by SSgt Korey Thompson made May 22 at 2015 12:23 PM

SSgt Korey Thompson — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:23:20 -0400

I just switched from Army Guard to Air Guard after 9 years. They let me keep my rank, offered a bonus, and all the benefits and perks are much better. The hard part is learning Air Force customs and courtesies as well as acronyms. But so far they seem to really take care of their people.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:32:12 -0400

Since you have prior service your age probably wont be a problem.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:47 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:47:03 -0400

Sure why not......

Assuming you prior service so waive and such should not be an issue.

AF is not the "weaker" of the forces but most of the jobs do not involve "ground pounding" and jumping off perfectly safe aircraft so age should not slow you down to much long as you can pass the PT requirements.

If I was looking at coming back in service to finish off my twenty AF def be the way I would go.

You expect a deployment every 12-24 months depending on your new AFSC (MOS).

Good luck.

Feel free to pm me if you have and questions....I was a 4N (Medic) for 20 years but did first shirt duty, sup duty, etc as well.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 12:52 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 12:52:46 -0400

No more Chair Force jokes, eh? I'm just kidding. I know quite a few people in my Comm unit that are from different services. In fact, we have all three other branches. My Superintendent was prior Army and Marines, and he joined the Reserves at age 34. I'd say go for it!

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made May 22 at 2015 1:07 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:07:24 -0400

Make sure your credit rating is above average

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 2:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 14:15:24 -0400

It depends on your personal goals.

Response by CMSgt Robert Remel made May 22 at 2015 4:05 PM

CMSgt Robert Remel — Fri, 22 May 2015 16:05:29 -0400

That would be a great idea ! Could have retired at age 36.....but stayed 12 more years.
Go for it !

Response by SrA Shawn Rouleau made May 22 at 2015 6:36 PM

SrA Shawn Rouleau — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:36:41 -0400

If you still feel the call to serve then serve. I'm 42 an can still run a teenager into the ground. I tried to re - enlist going from AF to Army at 38 and found out I have too many dependents. Otherwise I would be back where things make sense.

Response by MSgt Manuel Diaz made May 24 at 2015 8:27 AM

MSgt Manuel Diaz — Sun, 24 May 2015 08:27:05 -0400

As long as you are prepared to commit yourself for the next 20years. You have to stay in shape to avoid the fat boy plan or you can be rolled out... seen that happen to some. You cannot have a bad year point wise or you won't achieve retired pay no matter what the occasion as some guys do attain 30 years but only 18 good years.. to bad so sad; however it is doable. I was army E4 in 1973, and went AFRES 1990 because the army wanted to start me as PFC, the Air Force said I could keep my prior rank,. I got my 20 year retirement eligible letter while in Afghanistan 2009 age 58 at the time, if that's a goal.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2015 7:21 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 24 May 2015 19:21:43 -0400

It's very worth it! Talk to a recruiter!

Response by Sgt Mark Ramos made May 25 at 2015 12:10 PM

Sgt Mark Ramos — Mon, 25 May 2015 12:10:50 -0400

Definitely yes! But, don't take too much time deciding. Options in life are fleeting.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 12:31 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:31:38 -0400

Why not?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 2:08 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 14:08:44 -0400

If you can keep up or past the 20 somethings, then I say go for it.

Response by CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 10:28 PM

CCMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 May 2015 22:28:39 -0400

What do you want to do? AFSC? What is your current MOS?

Response by MSgt Jim Wolverton made May 28 at 2015 1:52 PM

MSgt Jim Wolverton — Thu, 28 May 2015 13:52:23 -0400

I say go for it!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 2:41 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 14:41:43 -0400

Well I joined at 33 and I'm glad I did.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:51 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 18:51:29 -0400

CIVIL ENGINEERING, what's your MOS?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 6:53 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 18:53:36 -0400

I am trying to go back to the Air Reserve but I cannot get the correct recruiter to call me back! (His partner did).

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 11:24 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:24:26 -0400

My husband switched from Army Reserve to AF Reserve at 41. Totally doable. He struggled a bit with the transition at first, since it can be a bit more relaxed at time, but he enjoyed the work when he was immersed in it.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:35 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 21:35:06 -0400

I did 6 years active Air Force, was out 11 years, and joined the Air Force Reserves at 37. So very glad I did. Working toward a retirement again. The Tricare benefits are amazing. Education benefits for me or my kids. But most of all, I enjoy being back in the service of my nation. My AFSC is 2T2, and I highly recommend it! My unit is mostly comprised of prior service from all branches. Great people. Great job. I work in a high-level office in my civilian career, so I like getting to work missions on my weekends, it's a nice change of pace.

Response by Lt Col Diana Echols made Jun 7 at 2015 3:31 PM

Lt Col Diana Echols — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 15:31:03 -0400

Yes. The Air Force Reserve is a great way to finish what you started. If there is no room for you in Finance, I suggest Air Transportation. You can do a shortened tech school of only two weeks and learn a fun skill. Port Dawgs are the greatest. Good Annual Tours and satisfying work. Good Luck!

Response by SPC Donald Wright made Oct 29 at 2015 11:15 PM

SPC Donald Wright — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 23:15:04 -0400

I'm a 56 year old Army vet. I have dreams fairly often of being back in uniform. I wish I could get back in!

Response by Josef Adams made Apr 19 at 2017 3:03 PM

Josef Adams — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:03:10 -0400

I am 37. Will be 38 in May 2017. I am very fit, college degree. I've had good jobs since 2003 graduating college and have traveled a lot but I have only about 40k saved in investments and 5k in the bank without a real passion in life. I've always wanted to have military experience in the USAF but I had thought the cut off age is 27. Just recently I have found out it was moved up in 2014 to 39. Am I being naive going in at 38 or so thinking I can hang? Again I'm very fit for my age and I understand to respect the RANK not the age on things. I know I will be active and healthy ( god willing ) thru my golden years. This would be an amazing opportunity for me. Any pros or cons of doing this for a fit active, educated 37 year old that would probably go in at 38? I am not married, no children. Thank you.

Response by MG Mike Diamond made Apr 19 at 2017 3:07 PM

MG Mike Diamond — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 15:07:35 -0400

If you feel you have something to offer to the TEAM, then if you can do it without waivers, do it!