What do you all think of joining in your 30s?

I rejoined at 24. With some maturity and experience under your belt you realize it’s just another job that has great career potential and benefits, but you work with people you would literally die for. I think people who join around your age usually adjust the best to military life, especially if they already have a family. If you’re single and coming in, it’s kind of demeaning to live in the barracks for a few years, but you’ll usually promote to E6 faster than your peers and get out of the barracks quickly

I enlisted in the USAR at 38 and hit basic training at 39 (those age limits have since been reduced). Only ONE of my Cadre was older than me during my entire training experience (and just barely). Remember your rank, and your position. You are not a fully trained soldier and have no more value than any of the 19 year olds. The cadre wont rub that in your face unless you challenge them, but your "peers" in training will remind you that you aren't the boss of them. There is no scenario where your age/wisdom makes Basic Training easier.

There were TWO other trainees in my class other than me. Both of them broke in basic. One recycled, and the other medical boarded out. When I saw that I realized it's not about competing with any of the kids. It's about meeting the Army Standard.

It comes down to several things:
1) Most of your potential trainee peers will be clueless teens. Basic Training is a life defining experience for them. There is nothing you can do to ease their idiocy. Just stand back and watch the show.

2) As far as the Army is concerned and the corresponding UCMJ jurisdiction over you, you are EQUAL to those idiot teens. You are only OLDER. So don't expect to be given any more latitude by the cadre. On paper your training and administrative risk to them is the same.

3) The only thing that truly matters is getting MOS qualified. That's it. Whatever crazy things the Drill SGT's are threatening your classmates with has to be within the limits of the training schedule. The problem is the kids don't know that and easily freak out to the entertainment of the cadre.

3a) I might get flack for this, but it's not your job (as a trainee) to steer your trainee peers right. Focus on your MOS training. YOU get YOU through to graduation and successfully completion to become a soldier. They can always recycle, and they will eventually "get it". No one is going to care about your leadership skills in Basic Training.

4) When you get to your unit you are right back at the bottom. In the Reserves as you mention interest in you wont be the only old guy at your rank. There will be dozens of SPC's that are flagged and never going to see E5. If you want to advance, the bar is very low, and is yours for the taking.

I joined the Navy reserves well into my 30's although I intended to join in my 20's. I recommend the AF reserves. Life happens. You will get "0" points and or recognition for age and wisdom and any wisdom you demonstrate will be construed by your instructors as stealing their spotlight. The military and government in general is filled with attention whores. You can never be smarter, wiser and more proficient than someone over you and or your peers. You will forever be hated for your ideas, intelligence and private sector wisdom. Thats just how the system plays out. Having said that - you will gain experiences that are wholly impossible as a civilian. I rode shotgun on a 38 million dollar hovercraft, shook hands with VP Pence, took pictures with camels in Africa, and shot .50 cals into the desert just because. Just being at a time and place inside the military and government will afford you experiences you couldn't even buy if you had the money to buy them and time to experience them. yes bootcamp sucks as so a lot of things in the military but it gets better with time. I would say by all means go for it.