Is commissioning from enlisted to officer at 32-33 years old too old?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:13:34 -0400

I’m planning on doing the Green to Gold 2 year active duty option within the next year or two once I finish my AA degree.By the time I commission I’ll be 32-33 years old. I’m 28 now. Has anyone else commissioned in their 30’s before? How was your experience and what was it like at your unit.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 1:15 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:15:27 -0400

I was 31 years and 10 months old when I commissioned in December. I’m currently in BOLC. You are going to be 33 years old in 5 years regardless of what you do. If you want to commission go for it.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Jul 27 at 2020 1:15 AM

SPC Nancy Greene — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:15:42 -0400

I knew a Marine Sgt who was commissioned in his 30’s. He actually needed an age waiver. He had no problems with OCS...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 1:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:15:48 -0400

Also, how long would I be able to stay in the Army as an Officer (2nd LT with 12-13 years AFS)?

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 27 at 2020 1:18 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:18:40 -0400

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Career counselor, please step forward.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 1:42 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:42:55 -0400

I would recommend it. I commissioned in my 30's. I was a LT in Ranger School at 32. It worked out for me well, except for recycling mountains. I then went from the Guard back to the Regular Army. I am much older now but I am still able to perform my duties with ease. I am not fastest officer when we go on runs. I just say that my knowledge weighs me down so I can't keep up but I can still do a 40 minute 5 mile. I would completely recommend you doing it. Just know that to retire as an officer, the service member must have served at least 10 years as a commissioned officer. So if you are commissioning with 15 years of service you won't be able to retire at 20 as an officer. You will retire as your highest enlisted rank. Once you hit 10 as an officer then you are good to go. So if you thought you were only going to do 20 it might not be the best option but on a positive note if you want you can continue to service as long as you keep getting promoted.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 1:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 01:59:54 -0400

I’m starting my final year of the 2-year ADO option which required both an age and TIS waiver. I’ll be 33 years old when commissioning next year and able to retire at 43 years old which is still pretty young. I’d say go for it and possibly CLEP some classes so you can put in your packet sooner rather than later.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 2:15 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 02:15:57 -0400

I don't think its too old! Good for you. If you play your cards right- you'll be surprised who you catch up to in a few years.

Response by SFC Michael Krogmann made Jul 27 at 2020 2:50 AM

SFC Michael Krogmann — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 02:50:09 -0400

Nope! If you have the ability to comission, go for it! Your previous enlisted time will be a benefit to you as an officer. That's my one regret now that I am retired.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 8:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:01:06 -0400

If it’s your passion to lead Soldiers, go for it. Be aware that there will be times when your age may work against you. I was a 35 year old 2LT working as a PL and my commander was 27. Some people will be intimidated by your age and experience and not always give you the benefit of the doubt or allow you to make mistakes. Currently my “peer” she group are all Colonels, but I’m not. This requires you exercise humility and remember that the military is very rank central. As long as you don’t start to remind people that you’re “very experienced and should listen to you”, you should be okay. You’ll have to learn how to influence people without them having to listen to you. Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 8:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 08:34:05 -0400

I was 2 weeks shy of my 40th birthday when I got commissioned. OBC was a bit of a pain trying to keep up physically with a bunch of guys nearly half my age but other than that it's never been an issue other than a few good natured jokes and pranks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 10:04 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:04:31 -0400

Not to be rude but that seems like a silly question to me. My last BDE had an AMEDD DCC Battery. They were training Dr's to be officers, some already in their 50s. Of course the training was a bit different. As far as age, and experience, most of the older, prior enlisted officers I have dealt with are more adapt to the Army ways. Have a greater pool of knowledge and are more respected over all by those in their peer group and seniors. You need to keep in mind though that you will need 10 of comissioned service to retire as an officer. In that sense age may come in to play. Also you may cap out for TIS on the pay scale

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 3:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:06:18 -0400

This is my favorite kind of topic (old people stuff). I literally pinned 2LT when I was 42 years old. When I was SELECTED I was 41, but the process took it's sweet time, and orders for the commission weren't actually cut until AFTER my 42nd b-day. So I got an age waiver as well. Neither here nor there.

Here's how I looked at it. LTC is a really successful retirement rank. I have enough time to get there (if I don't putz around). You'll have 10 more years to do it, and COL could be in your cross hairs as well. Looks like you are Supply/Logistics. YOU ARE GOLDEN!!!!!!!!!!! There will always be opportunities for you. You should get promoted from 2LT to LTC on your first look every time if you hit all your marks and are never flagged.

My Drill SGT asked why I would want to be a 40 year old LT. Keeping my mouth shut at the time I thought to myself I'm not going to be a 40 year old LT. I'm going to be a 60 year old LTC.

Plus, your pay will top out at the O1E scale.

As well, you kind of get to coast if you want. You're military career education starts all over. Expectations for a seasoned SSG are different than those of a new 2LT. You could take on more if you want, but that's for you to manage. Take a breather and enjoy your new TRADOC path for what it is.

While I was a USAR officer 2LT at Ft Lee in BOLC we were picking grass out of the sidewalk around the school house (we were being reminded of our place in the officer pecking order). I always appreciate how much I actually get paid for the actual work I have to do. So there I was picking weeds out of the sidewalk earning top tier 2LT pay (prior service), getting paid CALIFORNIA BAH, and pulling down PER DIEM as well. Can I do this forever :-)

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Jul 27 at 2020 4:55 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 16:55:30 -0400

I honestly think the hardest part is going from being somebody back to the bottom. Yes people will acknowledge your prior service and I am sure your dress uniform shows it but at the end of the day you are wearing the gold bar. I pinned major and found out that majors are the 2LT of the field grade officers. The best advice I was not given and probably would not have followed is you have two ears and one mouth, listen twice as much as you talk. I turned 30 as a 2LT during the second battle of Fallujah and was in the ICU at LRMC taking care of blown up kids.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 27 at 2020 5:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 17:22:33 -0400

I did it twice at an older age. 36 in the Reserves and again (new commission but same branch) at 41 for active duty. Yes you’ll be older and behind peers the same age. But was well worth it as far as income, educational opportunities, now retirement check, etc.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Jul 28 at 2020 2:07 PM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 14:07:49 -0400

I spent 17-years enlisted before my commission at age 40; with an age waiver for my active duty time. I did a direct commission into the Air Force as a physical therapist and attended Commissioned Officers Training (COT). During my career I have met many a mustang officer, albeit mostly medical, so its not unusual to see commissioned officers enter their respective services in the 30's or later.