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Hello. I'm wanting to join the military, but I'm having trouble decidiing if I should enlist or try to get into OCS.
My Background: I'm 26 years old, turning 27 in May. I graduated in 2015 with a 3.96 GPA. I have a BA in Languages (specifically German) and spent a year in Germany as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant. I decided I didn't enjoy teaching and have been pursuing an education in EMS/Medicine (working on a paramedic license). However, I'm currently doubting if it's what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I've taken the ASVAB and scored a 98 with a GT of 138.
I would like to serve for a number of reasons. There are numerous benefits that the military offers, as well as awesome experiences/learning opportunities. Great people to meet and connect with and important responsibilities in protecting our country. With my background, I'm pretty set on either medical or Intelligence. I've been looking at 35 series as well as the IPAP program.
I feel I'd really like the hands on side of being enlisted. However the downside, at least what others have told me, is there would be a big age gap between me and other soliders as well as a significant restriction in freedoms/ being "babied" that I would have to readjust to.
As for OCS, I like the idea of increased responsibilities, freedom, pay, and the leadership opportunities. However, I'm hesitant because I don't know if I am ready/truly wanting to have more managerial-work. I also don't even know if I'd want to make a career out of military service. From what I understand being an Officer is more inline with long-term service.
There's also the time factor. I'm 26, soon to be 27. I can wait another 6+ months to maybe get into OCS. But if I'm denied, that was time I could've been enlisted. And my age means that by the time my contract would be up I'd be 31+. Which I believe is too old to go to OCS at that point.
I'm not sure what to do and advice and input would be appreciated. What do you guys think?
My Background: I'm 26 years old, turning 27 in May. I graduated in 2015 with a 3.96 GPA. I have a BA in Languages (specifically German) and spent a year in Germany as a Fulbright Teaching Assistant. I decided I didn't enjoy teaching and have been pursuing an education in EMS/Medicine (working on a paramedic license). However, I'm currently doubting if it's what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I've taken the ASVAB and scored a 98 with a GT of 138.
I would like to serve for a number of reasons. There are numerous benefits that the military offers, as well as awesome experiences/learning opportunities. Great people to meet and connect with and important responsibilities in protecting our country. With my background, I'm pretty set on either medical or Intelligence. I've been looking at 35 series as well as the IPAP program.
I feel I'd really like the hands on side of being enlisted. However the downside, at least what others have told me, is there would be a big age gap between me and other soliders as well as a significant restriction in freedoms/ being "babied" that I would have to readjust to.
As for OCS, I like the idea of increased responsibilities, freedom, pay, and the leadership opportunities. However, I'm hesitant because I don't know if I am ready/truly wanting to have more managerial-work. I also don't even know if I'd want to make a career out of military service. From what I understand being an Officer is more inline with long-term service.
There's also the time factor. I'm 26, soon to be 27. I can wait another 6+ months to maybe get into OCS. But if I'm denied, that was time I could've been enlisted. And my age means that by the time my contract would be up I'd be 31+. Which I believe is too old to go to OCS at that point.
I'm not sure what to do and advice and input would be appreciated. What do you guys think?
Posted in these groups: 
Potential Recruit
Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Potential Recruit Officer Candidate School (OCS) (Army)
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 14
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I can tell you my experience. I joined in 1982 when I was 27, enlisted in the Infantry. I was unemployed and single, just seemed the right time for me to try something that had always been in the back of my mind, to serve in the military. Yes, Basic is a pain in the ass, or One Station Unit Training in my case, but they tend to put the older guys into leadership positions on the theory they aren't complete dumbasses. It's a mind game and while I wasn't in great shape when I went in, I just put my head down and kept going. I went back to my unit for a couple of years, then went to OCS and commissioned in 1985. If you interested in seeing both sides, enlist and do some squad time, then apply for OCS. You don't have to wait until your contract is up. IMO, gives you a better perspective on being a soldier.
BTW, you have until you are 34 to accept a commission. You can go to OCS without a waiver if you start before your 33rd birthday, so you have some time if you wanted to do a longer enlisted period. The downside to waiting longer is that all your peers will be 7 or 8 years your junior.
BTW, you have until you are 34 to accept a commission. You can go to OCS without a waiver if you start before your 33rd birthday, so you have some time if you wanted to do a longer enlisted period. The downside to waiting longer is that all your peers will be 7 or 8 years your junior.
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Ben Hurst
How did you feel about enlisting at an older age than others? Was it strange going from civilian life to military life?
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CPT Lawrence Cable
Ben Hurst - My father was career Air Force, so I had been around it a bit growing up. It's a bit of a shock and takes some adjustment, but it wasn't anything outside of what I expected. Surprisingly enough, if I had to guess, the average age of my OSUT class was probably about 23 at the time and I wasn't close to the oldest in the Class. I got stuck as squad leader, which is good experience but can be a pain in the ass too. Kept getting into fights with one smart ass in the squad. Surprising that they didn't boot both of us. But I made it to Captain and I believe Bob made Command Sergeant Major in the Green Beret, which may be more of indication of how hard up the Army was for help in the 90's :^).
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