What is the maximum age (waiverable) for officer programs in the various branches?

PO1 Christopher Gómez — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:08:40 -0500

I have been seriously considering joining back up but I'd like to do so as an officer. I will be 38 in April and left the Navy in 2007 as an E-6 with just under 8 years active duty service. I have 118 university credits now and am almost done with my degree. If I did join back up it would be in a year or two so I can finish my degree and get back into shape. I would likely do OCS if possible.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2017 10:27 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:27:30 -0500

You might be too old already for Officer opportunities. Hopefully your active time will subtract from your chronological age....

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2017 10:33 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 10:33:40 -0500

I believe the cutoff for a direct Commission is around 42. I think that is the same for Warrant Officer ascension as well.

I know it is possible to get a waiver for ROTC up to 39 but that requires a waiver from pretty high up in the Cadet Command.

Without knowing your age I would bet that your best opportunities to commission will either be via a direct commission or a warrant officer program.

*This is on the Army side*

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2017 11:01 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 11:01:45 -0500

Normal commission in the Navy is 31 but there are exceptions, I think in the medical field it is almost unlimited.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 27 at 2017 11:44 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 11:44:38 -0500

Active Army OCS age limit is 32, you have to commission before age 34. Army National Guard now allows OCS up to age 42. If you are going back Navy, wouldn't LDO be the easiest way to commission?

Response by PO1 Christopher Gómez made Feb 27 at 2017 1:18 PM

PO1 Christopher Gómez — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 13:18:49 -0500

I should clarify I was thinking law enforcement or infantry/SpecOps. I have not decided on a branch yet and was hoping for active duty.

Response by CPT Enrique M. made Feb 27 at 2017 3:58 PM

CPT Enrique M. — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 15:58:05 -0500

I've seen it happen in the Reserves in the Army. Although more on the medical side of the world. My current OIC was commissioned at 38 as prior service. I look at it this way, if you truly want to be an officer, I would look at all avenues ( reserves , active duty , guard , other branches,etc). The hardest thing is getting the commission. then you can look for opportunities to do Active duty.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 27 at 2017 9:46 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 21:46:40 -0500

ARMY AGE IS 32
AIR FORCE 34
NAVY 35
MARINES 32

Response by PO1 Christopher Gómez made Oct 16 at 2018 7:31 PM

PO1 Christopher Gómez — Tue, 16 Oct 2018 19:31:25 -0400

I am not sure if this matters, but my current GPA is 3.9 and I am on the President's List. I am working hard to maintain this as I am considering graduate school at some point in my future. I know that academic excellence is favorable when applying for various military programs and I am hoping it may open some doors for my rejoining despite my age.