What opportunities do I have in the Army at 42 years old, prior service?

SGT Mrs V — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 09:57:05 -0400

I am currently in a rut. I have a BA in Chemistry. 60% disabled. I am a little overweight but I am working hard to get that in check. I want to reenlist. I have 8 years. Please advise. I am desperate!!

Response by MAJ Lee Goehl made Jul 25 at 2020 10:21 AM

MAJ Lee Goehl — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:21:15 -0400

I understand that the NG can be a little more accommodating to retreds in their 40s

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 10:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:29:11 -0400

You need to go speak to your local recruiter. And go today, chances are, they are working. I’m currently a recruiter and will tell you that the age information you’re receiving is not true. From a recruiting point of view with prior service they take your Age: 42 and subrtract your years of service : 8. Therefore from a recruiting point of view you are actually 34. You’re extremely close to the cutoff on age. If this is something you want, talk to a recruiter today.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 25 at 2020 10:31 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:31:55 -0400

I do not know what your back ground is regarding the ability to gain a clearance, since you are likely to old for re-entry, you may want to look into Customs and Border Protection Agricultural or Chemistry assignment at one of their labs. One is uniform the other is not. The Chemists our of uniform have no age limit. You would likely require a waiver for the Agriculture Specialist. They do not carry a weapon.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 10:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 10:49:54 -0400

Best bet is go talk to a recruiter
It’s the Army, they’ll probably get you an age waiver.

Response by SGT Mrs V made Jul 25 at 2020 11:41 AM

SGT Mrs V — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 11:41:05 -0400

I spoke with a recruiter. My age is a factor but I am right there. I have more options if I look into Amedd which she referred me to. So now waiting to see if I can get in touch with a recruiter.

Response by MAJ Jason Sierakowski made Jul 25 at 2020 11:57 AM

MAJ Jason Sierakowski — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 11:57:29 -0400

Speak with a National Guard and Regular Army Recruiter. An actual Officer Recruiter. Specifically ask them for the updated MILPERs which have the latest age restrictions for OCS wether state or federal. Same thing for enlisted contracts. In order to cut out all the misleading information, seek a recruiter, or seek multiple recruiters. A lot of folks base information on what they think they knew from 5-10 years ago. Speak in doctrine and formal correspondence... Fact based.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 12:26 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 12:26:31 -0400

My suggestion is talk to recruiters in all branches and components. Guard and reserve careers will still get you a retirement even if you can’t get full-time AGR. I’m an accidental career AGR so it can happen. Get the services competing against each other. They need YOU so make them work for it. Take the offer that best works for you. Don’t forget about the Coast Guard either. Great people though promotions are slow due to few people wanting to leave. Also, if all military branches fall through look into the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. They could probably use someone with a chemistry degree.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 2:03 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 14:03:26 -0400

The best answer I can give you is your chances of getting into RA is rather low. I would check the mos availability list to see whats low and needs more people. I know they were taking anyone they could get that met certain experience criteria for the last IT position that opened up. Honestly its reliant on whats in demand and if you can present yourself as competetive. I would check the reserves and national guard as I know they have a harder time recruiting and maintaining numbers and a lower competition rate for starting positions. although the promotion rates are super slow and sometimes impossible up to a certain point.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 7:20 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 19:20:01 -0400

If you're past the cut off age for service you may want to consider applying to work as an Army Civilian and use that Chemistry Degree.

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Jul 25 at 2020 10:48 PM

SSG Steven Borders — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 22:48:30 -0400

Just remember you cannot draw disability and military pay together. I am 60% myself and I drill for points only. I get paid for AT and when I go to school. I keep that money separate to pay back the VA. Kind of sucks drilling for free but hey I look at it for the long hall of getting Retirement. Plus, my mil tech jobs requires me being in the Reserves. Best of luck to you SGT Mrs V

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2020 11:37 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jul 2020 23:37:10 -0400

Im active reserve and Im in the process of switching into the Army as my 3rd branch of service. I think you have a few things to consider. Will you medically qualify at 60% disabled? I just went through the physical and there is more scrutiny if you are in your 40's like me. Don't forget, you may be on the line for active Army but reserve is retirement by 60 minus your active duty years in. So for the reserves/guard you have a six year cushion. What are you looking to do in the Army now?

Response by SSG Dennis Mendoza made Jul 26 at 2020 7:59 AM

SSG Dennis Mendoza — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 07:59:42 -0400

I was a 25B but I asked if I can come back in with my MOS and pretty much they said no. The Army made me a 13m which my life has been miserable cause of the quality of soldiers. While I was on tradoc for over a year, I've seen many prior service go through the schoolhouse to become 13m. Below is the link for the Army's business rules for prior service.

https://m.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/current-and-prior-service/continue-serving/return-to-active-duty/prior-service-business-rules.m.html

Prior Service Business Rules | GoArmy.com

The Prior Service Business Rules acts as a guide for Soldiers who are interested in reenlisting in the regular Army.

Response by SGT Mrs V made Jul 26 at 2020 8:56 AM

SGT Mrs V — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 08:56:23 -0400

I am back at the drawing board and think I should actually use my Chemistry degree. Thank you all for your advice and thank you all for your service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 26 at 2020 1:55 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 13:55:55 -0400

Why do you think army will accept you with a 60% disability?

Response by Sgt Tom Verify made Jul 26 at 2020 3:52 PM

Sgt Tom Verify — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 15:52:09 -0400

60% disability? Could prevent you from re-enlisting, but I’m not qualified to give advice here. If I’m not mistaken, 36 years of age is the cutoff for commissioning and add your 8 years of prior service, you might make the age requirement. I only know this from the experience of a family member. No expert. Best of .luck.

Response by SGT Mrs V made Jul 27 at 2020 9:18 AM

SGT Mrs V — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 09:18:42 -0400

Update: I'm going to try and use my Chemistry degree to get a good job.

Response by 1LT Voyle Smith made Aug 1 at 2020 10:15 AM

1LT Voyle Smith — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 10:15:24 -0400

You might also consider civilian employment with the Army. Check out http://www.usajobs.gov. That's an official Website of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If you have a clean police record, with no history of drug/alcohol abuse or financial irresponsibility, your degree in Chemistry would be of interest to U.S Intelligence agencies, especially if you have skills in one or more foreign languages. You wouldn't get rich working in civil service, but you might find the work interesting and challenging. And you could continue to serve your family and neighbors in defense of our country. I didn't get rich but I did enjoy it. And the time I spent in uniform was added to my length of civil service when it came time to qualify for retirement.

USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site

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Response by Stephen Bracken made Aug 3 at 2020 8:00 AM

Stephen Bracken — Mon, 03 Aug 2020 08:00:33 -0400

A "little" overweight, 60% disabled, and female. Why would the military find this desirable?

Response by CPT Richard Fematt made Aug 4 at 2020 12:34 AM

CPT Richard Fematt — Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:34:37 -0400

I was prior service Marine with 16 years active duty when I was part of the RIF in Feb 1991. I went back to school received a Degree in Nursing in 1995. In 2003 December 26 at the age of 48 I was able to enlist in the U.S. Army reserves, commissioned a 1LT and assigned to a Combat Support Hospital. In Nov 2006 I received orders for 545 days of active duty, assigned to attend Civil Affairs Course then deployed to Iraq in support of OIF! Deployed at the age of 51 presented quite a challenge but I completed my deployment in March 2008, retired in Dec 2015 with the rank of Captain! So you see age is just a number, good luck and I hope you are able to achieve your goals!

Response by Maj Ross Webster made Aug 5 at 2020 4:20 PM

Maj Ross Webster — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 16:20:38 -0400

TOO OLD

Response by 1stSgt Laurence Smith made Aug 6 at 2020 5:24 AM

1stSgt Laurence Smith — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 05:24:49 -0400

You should have reenlisted the first time.
Most likely your 60% disability will not make you eligible for world-wide duty assignments.
It's nice you have a B.A. in Chemistry - become a High School teacher.
The only job that chemistry knowledge is useful for enlisted people is 'bomb disposal.'
You already know what kinds of job the Army has and was chemistry knowledge a needed skill?
Typically, the rule is that you must be able to have 20 years time left to get retirement by age 65 tops.
But, I believe that the years prior service are taken into consideration.
If you can't 'fight' and do world-wide duty then forget it.
To start become a substitute teacher, like I did, and if you qualify by the rules of your state and you accept phone calls from principals at 6 am to show up to class and you sign up for many schools in your district you could work daily for about $100 - $120 a day with contributions to the teacher's retirement plans.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2020 11:43 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 23:43:42 -0400

Depends how good your resume is. Active, Guard, or Reserve? Should look for where they need people the most and where you want to be, line the two up.

Response by CPT Carolyn Andrews made Sep 20 at 2020 11:16 AM

CPT Carolyn Andrews — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 11:16:44 -0400

It all depends on your disability, your weight, how much more do U need to loose.
I wish U luck in UR efforts.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2020 3:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 15:17:35 -0400

My suggestion is to do everything you can to reenlist. I left active duty when I was 29 and returned to the reserves when I was 43. I was able to do another 14.5 years and I am now enjoying my military retirement.
If you don't have a particular MOS that you want to work in, transportation is a good choice. Almost every unit needs people to drive and if you don't mind traveling, you can move up in rank fairly quickly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2020 3:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 23 Sep 2020 15:08:08 -0400

I was Innactive Reserve for 13 years. I did have prior service 15 in what I considered a dead, never gonna get promoted above E6 MOS. So I went Innactive. I was in a rut, overweight, and needing a job so I went TPU. One year later I got orders for Iraq. I was 49, turned 50 over there. I came back and stayed with my reserve unit and eventually retired. The opportunities are there you just need to pursue them. Best of luck.