Is it too late to enlist in the Illinois National Guard at 43?

SPC Victor Doydora — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 09:19:23 -0400

I am 42 years old with 6 yrs prior service in the Navy. Will it be too late to join when I turn 43 this coming November?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 9:39 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 09:39:30 -0400

So prior service cuts back your age so in the military's eyes you would only be 37 years old since you have 6 years prior service.

Response by SPC Mike Bolton made Aug 24 at 2018 10:08 AM

SPC Mike Bolton — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:08:14 -0400

I have the same questions. I have not talked to a recruiter yet, but here is what I have found. My background is, I have six (6) years in the guard and two (2) IRR. My RE code is a 1 I think. I had honorable discharge with no problems while I was in. I am 45 years old. I have looked into getting back in for personal reasons. I went to the NG website and it states on prior service that if you can finish your 20 years prior to turning 60 you can enlist. So my understanding is if I can swear in by next April when I turn 46 I will be good. I need to lose a little weight before I pull the trigger. I am in decent shape and can pass the PT test. I also need to figure out if I will have to redo basic and ait. That will be a big hinderance for me. I am a full time firefighter and own an HVAC business and being gone that long will cause issues. I also have to talk to my wife about it. That will be the big hurdle.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 10:28 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:28:55 -0400

I cannot say about now, but back when they were taking almost everybody, I know we had some 50 year old prior service but they were army to begin with??????????

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 10:38 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 10:38:43 -0400

No. But you better get cracking. I still believe the door closes at 45 yoa.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 11:51 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:51:19 -0400

SPC Victor Doydora Most services will subtract your years of service from your age. So, if you're 42, and had 6 years in, your age (according to them for reenlistment) would be 36. So, you would need to see what their limits are. In MO, Army Guard was 36, but Air Guard is 40.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2018 4:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:02:13 -0400

You might slip in under the wire, however I would at least consider service as a DoD civilian.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 1:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 13:14:46 -0400

I reenlisted in 2005 after being out for over 20 years. I was prior Air Force and 42 years old. Talk to recruiter. Still in and 54 years old. Just returned from deployment last month.

Response by SSG Richard Lovegrove made Aug 26 at 2018 2:16 PM

SSG Richard Lovegrove — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 14:16:49 -0400

i was 10 years active duty with the Navy, then joined the Guard. At 51yo, my AD time was subtracted from my age. At the time, 45 was the cutoff age for prior military. Verify the current requirements with a Guard recruiter.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 2:41 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 14:41:56 -0400

Good question. You need to speak with a recruiter as they do consider previous time in service. I had person sign up at the age of near 50. He is still serving and that was 10 years ago.