What age do you think is too old to consider joining the military?

People join the military for one or a combination of three reasons. They join to achieve a goal, seek recognition they may not be able to achieve in their current circumstances, or as a sense of belonging to something bigger then themselves.

If your desire to join fulfills any one or a combination of those reasons then it is worthwhile to do. Otherwise, you are wasting your time and the clock is ticking. You may someday look back at this time as an unfulfilled opportunity that may even become an obstacle to your life goals, leading to deep regret. You may also view this time as that one choice that sent your life down a different very rewarding path.

I would just ask you to take into consideration what would best fit within your career goals. In other words, the National Guard and Reserve may give you added incentives to do your service part-time while attending college. You may chose military service first and find a job that ignites a passion leading to you future.

I attended college first then entered the Air Force as an enlisted man. I wasn't going anywhere and was very restless. My Air Force service and training led to two follow-up professional careers -- one of which I have now served 21 years in state government.

My recommendation to Ashley is to join and enlist for three years and find out if the military life is for you. At 25 you are still in prime age to join as long as you are physically and mentally ready. If you like the military lifestyle and make it a career, you can always do college while in the military. Most bases will have a satellite campus for several accredited institutions.
Follow your gut, and push yourself.... perhaps the military is the motivation you need to formulate a plan.
There is not really a recipe to say at what age is too old to join. It depends on the individual's physical and mental conditioning.

I was 26 when I joined, with 66 college credits. But I was much like you. I didn't know yet what I wanted to be when I grew up, was working dead-end jobs and debating whether college was really where I wanted to go. I'd always thought about the military though, so I looked into it and quickly made the choice. The military, as so many have said, is a great place to get experience, help with more college, a possible career for afterwards, and gives you time to decide what more you want to do, whether you stay in or get out. And they pay you, house you, and feed you for the duration. So from the standpoint of not being completely sure where you're going, it's a great place to start, no matter where you end up later. And if the idea motivates you, then it sounds like it is a good option for you. Plus, by the time you get out, whether 4 years or 24, you'll have learned self-discipline and how to make decisions and follow through. Good luck, whichever decision you make!

If you have some college behind you why don’t you look into the ROTC program. I’m a retired Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer and I used to be a Gunnery Sergeant before that. I’ve always wanted to be a Marine. So with that in mind, think about your future now not later. Any branch of the services are great. Different but great. The people are great doing the best they can with what they have. If you want to lead men and women who are like you and me committed to something bigger than yourself, then look into becoming an officer. Good luck with your future endeavors.

Ashley, Treat it as a job with a great chance for advancement. As much as I hate to say this, "...be all you can be..." Work hard, KNOW you job!!! Once your training is over with and you are settled into a routine, then begin to socialize. A drunk, lazy or tardy solder is useless to the service and is usually flagged a "unreliable". Also, your advancement prospects begin to dry up.

stay in military you'll earn more but when or if you decide to getting out college will always be there !!!! some seniors have went to college and received a degree they wanted !!!! your still young if I were you i'd stay in military !!! great place to start !!!!!

I worked at heavy equipment operating for seven years before joining.. was 29 and loved almost all of my time..yes there are some days you wonder why you joined. It was definitely worth it and I would join again at 72+ Go take the entrance tests and see what jobs you qualify for , then make a decision based on those scores. I went for electronics / radar repair because I wanted to get some other field than construction. I know I probably could have gotten more rank faster if I went into construction MOS, but then I would not have learned anything new.

My daughter was a single Mom, renting, struggling with debt half way through college and 34. Against my better judgement due to her age, she joined the Army National Guard as a medic. She got a bonus, eraned enough during basic and AIT to buya modest house, had the Army paying her student loans, got a better car and MGIB benefits to finish college. She's now 10 years in and has had an amazing career now including 3 Air Medals, one with Valor. I am proud of her and grateful for the time our grandchildren lived with us when she was in training or deployed. We even got to take her children Space-A to Europe twice when she was deployed down range. Go for it! PS: I re0enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 47 after a 12 year break. You can do it!

Speaking specifically from the perspective of a recruiter, in regard to the question posed, you are nowhere close to being too old to join. Authorized Army enlistment age for non-prior service is between 17 to 35, by which I mean you have to have shipped to Basic Combat Training by your 35th birthday. As a caveat, the Army's target age group for enlistment is 17 to 24, and since you just turned 25 you are still an ideal applicant.

Considering that you have some life experience and maturity at age 25 and have 40 college credits (which is more than the average Army applicant has), I'd say enlist for active duty, provided you meet all other qualifications. You will start at pay grade E-2 based upon your college credits and it is a great way to have some stability as you further develop your plan. You will receive full time pay and benefits, not incur most of the costs of living (i.e. rent, food, utilities, electric, etc., provided you live in enlisted barracks and take advantage of the dining facility), and have tuition assistance available to continue your college education. With all of those expenses taken care of, provided you exercise at least moderate financial responsibility, you can also buy a car. That is my two cents.

Join at 25 retire at 45. See the world. Let the government pay for the rest of your college. You have no ties right now. You won't regret it.