Is there an age waiver for enlisted to go Officer or Warrant?

2016-07-05T04:39:36-04:00

I am currently 41, serving as a medic, and I just finally got my BAS in Cybersecurity. I would be happy continuing the path of being an NCO (currently E5), trying to re-class to cyber but hitting walls in getting the clearance. So,my wife is encouraging me to explore more options.

I am curious if there is even the possibility of going commission or warrant. Joining the Army at 34 years old with only an AAS in IT, I did not have the option to go Officer. And the recruiter stated that since I do not have technical certifications I could not go warrant despite having over 10 years experience in the IT field prior to joining the Army. I know that the Army expanded their requirements for OCS for fiscal 2016 but wondering if it may happen next year as well.

Any advice or direction would be highly appreciated. Is it possible to switch from enlisted or should I just keeping pounding on the barriers to try to reclass as enlisted?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 5:07 AM

2016-07-05T05:07:28-04:00

SSG Michael Hathaway - Do you mean you have security clearance issues? Why are you so interested in CyberSexurity . . . and not one of the intelligence disciplines? Warmest Regards, Sandy

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 6:28 AM

2016-07-05T06:28:04-04:00

As far as commission, i would try and set up an appt with your commander and they can give you the good, bad and ugly. They can probably give you an indication of how good your chances are of getting a waiver. If cyber security is under strength, it should work in your favor.

As far as warrant, you have till age 46. So if your considering get the wheels turning now. Their are certan requirements that are not waiverable. Do you know any warrants in the cyber field? If not, you should start making yourself known to these people. You will need a letter of recommendation from a CW3 or higher. They are going to want to sit with you and get to know you before they give you their "blessing" Good luck

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Jul 5 at 2016 6:35 AM

2016-07-05T06:35:43-04:00

Sgt. Hathaway,

This is right in my line of expertise as a healthcare recruiter, send me an email privately and I'll get you squared away...plus I gave other options. One question do you have your BS or BA with min 3.0 and higher?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 7:24 AM

2016-07-05T07:24:59-04:00

If you are looking to do active duty then you are pretty close to the cap. Guard would be a better choice as their rules are much different. For future reference there are plenty of states that commission people with two year degrees so long as they complete their bachelors by the time they promote to captain.

It sounds like you would be better suited as a warrant. With your degree and experience I would look at 255A. I know cyber sounds sexy, but it is still coming together and will take years to properly hammer out what job scopes actually look like.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 9:11 AM

2016-07-05T09:11:42-04:00

I command ROTC in Montana for the Air Force, Army may be different but on our side of the fence the cadet must commission before age 30, with waiver possibility to age 35 for special circumstances (career field specialty, degree and grades, etc.). Sounds like you're staying green, so this is really info only. I wish the USAF still had warrant officers, we really need that expertise option back.... Good luck!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 9:16 AM

2016-07-05T09:16:14-04:00

For Warrant Officers, if you reached your 33rd b-day for flight applicants prior to your packet being submitted then you need a waiver and 46 years old for all other Warrant Officer MOSs.

http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant/#tabs-5

U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 10:06 AM

2016-07-05T10:06:56-04:00

SGT Hathaway,

Head to this link: http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant

250 series is one of a few that a candidate can receive proponent approval with out the experience being directly tied to your Army MOS.

U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2016 3:00 PM

2016-07-05T15:00:39-04:00

If I were you, I would look at the pre-quisites on https://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/warrant and if you have anymore reservations, to contact CW4 Knowles ( [login to see] ) as she is the Signal Warrant Proponent Officer for active duty. She is very approachable (as long as you have already done your homework).

Or better yet, seek out civilian employment to use that HIPAA education...

U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Warrant Officer Recruiting Information Site

Response by SFC Bill Snyder made Jul 11 at 2016 5:54 PM

2016-07-11T17:54:33-04:00

Can't really answer the question as I've been out for, seems like forever. But, in 1978, I knew a Community S4 SGM in Germany take a WO1 promotion. He had at least 20 yrs, so.....

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2016 6:22 AM

2016-08-09T06:22:08-04:00

Yes, you can get accepted in the Green to Gold Program. However, your waiver will go through the approval process after you get accepted. I did not need an age waiver but I had to get a TIS waiver. It is all situation dependent. I would apply and see if you can before it's too late. Good luck!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2016 7:45 AM

2016-08-09T07:45:08-04:00

I don't know what issues you are having with gaining a security clearance, but resolving that should be your focus. Not being able to obtain a clearance would bar you from many enlisted MOSs and takes any form of officer off the table. It additionally precludes you from many military related civilian jobs. Some clearance problems are a matter of perseverance (finding missing information about foreign relatives for example). Some can be resolved but take years of hard work, like cleaning up a serious financial mess. You would have to bring accounts into a final status and then demonstrate a good period of financial responsibility. And some are just total deal killers and nothing you do is likely to allow you to get a clearance. The big one is if you previously had a clearance and had it revoked for good cause. Please take the time to sit down with an SSO to go over your situation. If you can't get a clearance, it would make no sense to pursue a lot of the things you are taking about.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2016 8:37 AM

2016-08-09T08:37:56-04:00

Not sure what the prerequisites are for signal warrants but you probably need at least 3-5 NCOERs as a 25 series NCO. Now if you're in the National Guard those NcOers may be waverable based on your civilian experience. If you're active consider transferring, they are currently establishing cyber protection teams that are AGR (active guard) where joining is based soley on your knowledge

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2016 9:37 AM

2016-08-09T09:37:10-04:00

I believe that the age limit to become Warrant officer is 44. Double check with your career counselor.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 9 at 2016 8:00 PM

2016-08-09T20:00:18-04:00

Just about anything can be done "For the good of the Army" So yes.

Response by Nneji Onyewu made Jul 30 at 2018 12:43 AM

2018-07-30T00:43:43-04:00

I am 33 yrs old starting my masters degree in global health I wanted to find out if I could join Rotc while attending my graduate studies? I have my BS in psychology with a 3.8 gpa if that helps with age waiver.?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 11 at 2018 1:05 PM

2018-08-11T13:05:27-04:00

I would try to get in as Cyber or Signal Warrant. You will likely find more doors open in the Cyber world since that is a brand new field Andy they are saying they want a wide cross section of people/skills