Would it be hard to do OCS at the age of 30?

LCpl Ben Spalding — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:52:07 -0500

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 6:56 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 18:56:14 -0500

I've known others that have done it. Only way to find out is to do it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 7:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 19:00:11 -0500

Did it...physically and discipline-wise, no. Being humble (and getting humbled) and realizing you don't know everything, even though you are a lot older than your peers...that was hard for me.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 8:25 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:25:33 -0500

I completed OCS at age 30 and can say that it was definitely a learning experience transitioning from enlisted to officer. Just go in with an open mind and realize that you don't know everything.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 8:28 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:28:01 -0500

I was 34 at OCS; at least one classmate was 40. The maturity goes a long way in being able to handle what gets thrown at you. Just be prepared to perform physically as well as the 22-26yr olds, or you might stick out.

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Nov 14 at 2016 8:29 PM

Capt Jeff S. — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:29:30 -0500

Depends on what kind of shape you are in. I was almost 28 when I went through and was a 300 PFT'er at the time and it was physically challenging but not insurmountable. It really helps to be in shape when you go there. For me, It was a lot more physically demanding than boot camp.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Nov 14 at 2016 8:33 PM

CPT Chris Loomis — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 20:33:37 -0500

I did it. I completely agree with MAJ Patrick Snyder.

Response by Sgt Nick Marshall made Nov 14 at 2016 9:32 PM

Sgt Nick Marshall — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 21:32:41 -0500

I tried (unsuccessfully) to do Marine Corps OCS at 26

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 10:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 22:31:48 -0500

It depends, if you look and feel like Michael Moore at 30 yes. I join the Army at 31 and a half I could run a 12-minute 2-mile my pushups and situps by the end of basic training or not maxed out but by the time I was 32 and a half officer candidate School I could do 100 pushups 90 situps and run about a 12: 32 two mile run. I feel that being in your thirties is probably your best I was in shape at 20 years old but never upper body wise like I was in my thirties. I'm 54 and now and I can still do 295 points Max push-ups and sit-ups but not the Run. I think if you work out once or twice a week or more and do the 2-mile run you can have muscle memory and do well.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 14 at 2016 11:49 PM

SFC George Smith — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 23:49:53 -0500

interesting

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 9:19 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 09:19:00 -0500

I wouldn't think so, just as long as you are physically and mentally ready for the stressors involved.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Nov 15 at 2016 10:22 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 10:22:52 -0500

I was 40-years old when I went through AF COT (commissioned officers training). I know COT is not near as challenging as MC OCS, but one still has to be physically prepared and it was a real challenge trying to keep up with the twenty-something’s with daily PT! Since I came from the Navy as enlisted and had no practical AF experience it was a real learning curve. I will say from Navy E-6 to AF 0-1 it was an interesting step, junior officer with lots of enlisted experience and leadership, learning to be humble again was important as one learns the ropes of a junior officer. I was fortunate at COT, my Flight (really a squad size compliment) was mostly filled by prior enlisted so we had many shared experiences and new learning together. I was also fortunate at my first duty station, Keesler AFB, out of approximately 8 physical therapist 6 were prior enlisted, and most just commissioned as myself. It made for a nice transition to the officer ranks.

Bottom line, do not be worried about what lies ahead at OCS. Be prepared physically and everything else will fall into line just fine. Being a lot older than my 0-5 peers who are mostly 10-15 years younger has not hurt my career and I am often sought out for my leadership experience that has spanned basically two careers (17-years enlisted and pushing 20-years commissioned). Promotions are not age based, so no worry there. Good luck!

Response by SCPO Frank Carson made Nov 15 at 2016 3:25 PM

SCPO Frank Carson — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 15:25:28 -0500

No, because you are more motivated than the fresh meat! Why do you even ask?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 4:13 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 16:13:55 -0500

No, I went through in 2010 and I had peers both men and women at age 41 do exceedingly well. Being 27 at the time, they were a strong motivator for me at everything I did. Really boils down to how determined you are.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 8:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 20:55:28 -0500

I was 37 and I wasn't the oldest in my class. We had a 40 year old and he was in top 5% in PT 1 LT Lilly who commented on this post was in my class and she was tops in our class of nearly 90 that graduated. At 30 you're just started to peak so go for it and forget any negative thoughts.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2016 8:28 PM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 20:28:08 -0500

I went in at 31, graduated at 32 from OCS. The oldest in my class was 36 and a PT stud. I didn't find it any more difficult at my age than the 23 year old soldiers at OCS

Response by LTC "Chip" Ernest Gross made Dec 1 at 2016 6:09 PM

LTC "Chip" Ernest Gross — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 18:09:13 -0500

It is tough, but it can be done. I graduated OCS at the age of 29. It was Indiana Military Academy, INARNG, but the same POI as Ft. Benning OCS (active component). The hard part about that version was going back every month for drill knowing what (and who-the TAC staff!) was waiting for us! It got better once we became senior candidates and "turned blue". The other advantage I think was the fact that I had time to get into better shape between drills. I learned the hard way at orientation weekend that I needed to work out more and get in shape. I was already working on my doctorate by that time, so at least I had the bachelors and masters degree in the bag for the educational requirement.