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Made in us
Dakka Veteran





Many of my friend's families is in the armed forces.
No one in my family is. I remember considering joining when I was in highschool but was scared of being too weak. I sort of regret it as I see the benefits of ROTC, sense of identity (going through a mid life crisis from working a dead end job), confidence, leadership, knowing how to fight and defend myself and overall preparedness for shtf etc...

How many of you would recommend a 35yo to join the army?

Only chime in if you are or was in the army or any armed forces.
I would like to know how old you were when you joined and how long have you stayed.

One of my friends cousin completed basic training. She is tiny, yet she loved it and her drill instructor praised her. Her entire demeanor changed. She no longer has low self-esteem because she is so confident when she speaks even cocky. She is definitely going to complete AIT.

If this little girl can do it, I have no excuses.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/09/28 06:39:53


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Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

I joined the Army at 19 and stayed in the army for 10 years in the Airborne infantry. We had guys who where in their 30's join the infantry and great troopers. If you don't mind a 20 year old who's been in the army 3 years telling you what to do, you will be fine. If you plan on joining the infantry I recommend you start working out now (running at least 3-5 miles a day, push-ups, sit ups, pull ups) as you get older takes your body longer to recover, so if your in shape recovery won't be so bad. You'll find out what the word "suck" really means...
   
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[MOD]
Not as Good as a Minion






Brisbane

 Chute82 wrote:
If you don't mind a 20 year old who's been in the army 3 years telling you what to do, you will be fine.


This. You're going to have lance jacks and full tracks who are 10 years or more your junior telling you what to do and expecting you to do it, I knew some old blokes who were sensible and were fine with that, and others who bristled, took issue, etc and had a gak time because of it. Be the sensible kind of older digger and you'll be fine.

I wish I had time for all the game systems I own, let alone want to own... 
   
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Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

not sure what your relationship status is but if your married or dating the Army life will do serious damage to that relationship if it's not strong. Your not going to be home much (Deployment, training, field time, etc..) and Jody is always around taking care of your girl when your gone. Dear John letters and coming home to a empty house were common occurrence. Being 35 you have a better chance then a 18 year old kid in a relationship but it still happens
   
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Courageous Questing Knight





Texas

I am active and reserve duty Navy retired with 20 years and I would seriously consider the Guard or Reserves to straight active duty. Yes, you will still have boot camp, training and all, but then you will not have to be immersed in the military 24/7.

Also, IIRC, there is an age cut-off for some services if you are going active and are not an OSVET (Other Service Veteran), so if you are 35, the age cut-off may apply, but I believe the reserves waives this as long as you would be able to get 20 years of service before the age of 60.

Note: Please excuse the complete accuracy of my info, as I have been out of the scoop of things for quite a while and there could have been many changes!!

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Daemonic Dreadnought





Eye of Terror

Have wondered about this myself. A few friends of mine went into the army after becoming professionals, earning PhDs, etc.

From what I can tell, they made the decision out of a desire for more adventure in their lives. In some cases, they were deployed overseas in combat zones, in other cases, they were put into very boring jobs someplace in America.

All I can say is it's hard to stay in touch with them, the Military changes your point of view on a lot of things. When we do connect, they seem happy and there's never a lack of stories.

   
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Cackling Daemonic Dreadnought of Tzeentch




Ellenton, Florida

Army veteran here.
At 35 years old, I suggest that, if you decide to go through with this, go guard or reserves.
You'll still get to do basic and stuff, you'll get the leadership, confidence, etc that you seem to be looking for, but you won't be locked into full time military life if it's not for you. (Unless, of course you're unit deploys but hey, that's part of the deal.)
Just don't go for full time and then get out on FTA. Because..no.

Armies:  
   
Made in ca
Lord of the Fleet






Halifornia, Nova Scotia

I joined at 18 and just completed my first decade in and will likely stick out a full 25. I know plenty of people who joined late and did fine and love the job. That said, I am Air Force, so the life isn't as punishing physically as the army. Most of the people I know who joined later are in more technical or otherwise more relaxed positions, such as aircraft techs, clerks, or aircrew members. I also know plenty of people who transferred to pilot from other trades rather late and made it through training just fine. One guy in particular did over a decade in the infantry, then swtiched to the navy for another decade, then decided to become a pilot in his early 40s.

This is all from a Canadian perspective of course, so experiences may vary. I couldn't see myself working anywhere else, short of a sweet job flying civy side with a bunch of ex-mil guys.

The life isn't for everyone as you can be moved across the country whenever they want and be deployed for months at a time away from friends and family, but my combo air force/navy pilot job has been a blast.

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Made in us
Contagious Dreadnought of Nurgle






I joined at 25, so I was a bit older than average for a private. Still, you will see guys of all ages in pretty much every rank, including 39 year old Specialists and super hooah Sergeants Major who might be younger than you are. Just remember that people who have been in since they were 18 have a huge head start in terms of experience and accept their leadership. Also, use the lessons and maturity you've gained since you were 18 to set an example for the younger people around you.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter how old you are (even in the Infantry). What matters is where your heart's at and if you're willing to push yourself and those around you to exceed. If you can do that, an maintain a positive and mature attitude while doing so, then go for it.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
One other thing - you're past the "peak" standards for the APFT according to your age bracket, so you will look forward to declining standards for the entirety of your career ;P

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/09/28 20:23:20


 
   
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Longtime Dakkanaut




Building a blood in water scent

You are going to destroy your body and ensure your sunset years are full of chronic pain.

You're better off manifesting your midlife crisis with stupid cool guy haircut (like I did) or a motorcycle (like my friend did). One of those grows out and is an embarrassing memory, the other sits in a garage and depreciates.

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Leerstetten, Germany

What’s your education level and your current job?
   
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Dakka Veteran





I have a garbage throw away bachelor degree (sort of like archeology, psychology, liberal arts, film art, art, political science etc) from a piece of crap university that can't get me a job worth more than $24,000 annually.

I worked for 5 small businesses for 3-5 years and they go out of business so employers can even call them up. Other jobs I work for 1-3 years and get laid off or fired. Nearly 19 years of work experience at the entry level and never promoted. Mid life crisis.

I have no relationships because I am a dead beat.

I can sell all my junk or throw it away and move anywhere.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/09/29 02:12:11


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Mekboy on Kustom Deth Kopta




Don't do it. 20 years navy here.

your peer group in the army will be a bunch of snot nosed kids just out of high school. You'll be treated exactly like those kids. I've seen others in that situation, it can end badly and one guy got booted out because of it.

Not the age difference per say, but hanging out with the kids, I forget what charges he was brought up on, but he told the chiefs they were his peer group yet protocol dictates he stay in his paygrade. Well they didn't appreciate that comment, they took it worse than trump when people exercise their first amendment rights.

 
   
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Monstrous Master Moulder




Rust belt

 CadianGateTroll wrote:
I have a garbage throw away bachelor degree (sort of like archeology, psychology, liberal arts, film art, art, political science etc) from a piece of crap university that can't get me a job worth more than $24,000 annually.

I worked for 5 small businesses for 3-5 years and they go out of business so employers can even call them up. Other jobs I work for 1-3 years and get laid off or fired. Nearly 19 years of work experience at the entry level and never promoted. Mid life crisis.

I have no relationships because I am a dead beat.

I can sell all my junk or throw it away and move anywhere.



Maybe start applying for jobs outside of your comfort zone...I went from a prison guard (12 years) to one of the top auto insurance reps in the company. If I can do it, I promise so can you. If your set on the military walk into the recruitment station and sign up for the test. Keep you chin in and just keep swinging... you got this
   
Made in us
Pestilent Plague Marine with Blight Grenade





Tornado Alley

OK, you have heard the advice on if and when. As someone who retired teaching Advanced Individual Training and still does it as a civilian now allow me to offer some words for when you do. Honestly doing 3 years and getting out honorably will be a good experience and help you understand some things about your own personal life, and life in general.

1. Be in shape before you go to Basic Combat Training(BCT)

2. You will do A LOT of stuff you may think is stupid. Do not speak, just do it. Trust that you will not die if you follow instructions, you are not the first person so go through it, so just do it.

3. If you do decide on a combat job such as 11 or 13 series as someone with some experience in life you will progress rather fast. I have seen it. The only person who will hold you back is you.

4. During training keep your penis in your pants. It is not a time to date. The Army is taking this gak very very seriously. Sexual relations in training will earn you a boot, but not before you make you a hold over for 6 months earning training E-1 pay and making you hate your life. This is not Hyperbole.

5. When you get to your unit if you go active(I advocate active, you will know why when/if you join) make yourself indespensible. Become the best at your job. Volunteer for hard jobs(not gakky details) and always be the one who can be counted on. We live with 7 values. Memorize them and live them all the time. Always.

6. Not sure what your political or social orientation is but be prepared to see things from a new perspective. For example if you have been known to be a Eff the Police kind of person, once you are actually learning what selfless service truly is you may change. If you are married this can be hard. You almost have to rewire the way you think. Im not talking about becoming a different person all together, but points of view and perspective changes happen.

7. Maintain physical fitness. I have seen more than one amazing Soldier get booted for letting themselves fall out of shape. Super studs who could do every job and were the go-to guy but no matter how smart, or squared away you are, you will learn there is only one thing that matters on paper. Physical Fitness. I promise you. Do Not fail a PT test. Do not allow your self to fail body composition standards.

8. You will be more experienced and older. None of that matter when you are part of the team and integrate. A word of warning though. Do not allow yourself to be dragged down to the teenage level. I've seen it happen. A smart older Soldier running around with the 20 year olds and getting them selves in trouble. go home, study, learn your job, work out, go to work. That gets you promoted.

9 Alcoholism. If you are already an avid drinker, you are probably an amateur in comparison. Same advise as above. Work out, study, work out some more.

10. Psychological issues: if you are bashful, easily offended, think people should care about your feelings, maybe drop that. You will not have fun in the beginning. Fun comes later. And it become something you can't live without. But in the beginning you will be called names, you will hear harsh language, you will hear euphemisms you never ever would have thought of. If you are not willing to accept hearing those things, the Army is not for you, well combat arms isn't anyway. Accept that you are simply a cog in the machine and they will replace you if you need a safe space.

11. Work out some more.

Last thing. There are programs available for college graduates. Recruiters will lie and say they can't get you in to OCS. They can. There are openings and they can give you an estimate of when they are. They do not get credit towards mission for putting in OCS candidates. Do not let them dick you around. Becoming an officer means much better pay, but longer hours, more responsibility and generally overall a much higher job satisfaction rate. Choose combat, Infantry or Field Artillery and you will end up with connections that will help you out far into your golden years.



If you can not handle sexually charged language, demeaning talk, being called a fethwit or slow, crackhead, when you do something hugely stupid, this is not the life.

I hope I have helped.

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Made in us
Dakka Veteran




I was in the Marines for 7 years. First as an 0331, then as an 8541. I think it depends on what you plan to do as your job. I wouldn't recommend infantry. Go with something technical, or something like supply. Yes you will still have to PT but at least the job is easy. My 2 cents.
   
Made in us
Impassive Inquisitorial Interrogator





Hooper

 CadianGateTroll wrote:
Many of my friend's families is in the armed forces.
No one in my family is. I remember considering joining when I was in highschool but was scared of being too weak. I sort of regret it as I see the benefits of ROTC, sense of identity (going through a mid life crisis from working a dead end job), confidence, leadership, knowing how to fight and defend myself and overall preparedness for shtf etc...

[i]How many of you would recommend a 35yo to join the army?

Only chime in if you are or was in the army or any armed forces.
I would like to know how old you were when you joined and how long have you stayed.

One of my friends cousin completed basic training. She is tiny, yet she loved it and her drill instructor praised her. Her entire demeanor changed. She no longer has low self-esteem because she is so confident when she speaks even cocky. She is definitely going to complete AIT.

If this little girl can do it, I have no excuses.


Ill be up front, I have never been in the armed services so if you don't want to listen to any of this then by all means ignore my post. That being said, with your statement here and your later post about a throw away bachelors degree, terrible jobs, being a deadbeat, and the overall tone in your messages. I think joining the military is your worst choice right now. It may feel like a mid life crisis.... But I think there is something more you need to address.


Before you do anything I would go see a therapist because it sounds like you're looking for validation from outside sources and no matter how much training you get or life experiences you go through in the military. It will all fall apart if you cant, I know this sounds cheesy, be happy with yourself. You will always be looking for that validation from someone or something else and eventually it will never be enough and it will destroy everything you touch. With the advice given so far, the army life will chew you up and spit out in no time flat leaving you worse off then you are now.

Now, I am not talking out of my ass here. After high school I never went to college, I worked all types of dead end jobs, got married, then divorced, and have been through many different ups and downs with women, family, friends and life in general. Now I work a gak job for the IRS but I can support a family on just my income alone without a post high school education.

Im not trying to brag here or say its easy but depending on what you want out of life, 35 is getting to the point where you need to decide what you want to give up on to make a drastic life change. I myself looked at what opportunities were available from all the choices I had made over the last 10 years and made the best out of the situation I was in. Again, your situation may be different but there are so many different ways to make all the choices you made to get to this point work in your favor.

I may be completely wrong here but your story sounds so similar to mine a year ago.

No matter what you do though, I do honestly hope it all works out.






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Waaagh! Ork Warboss




Italy

Wow, are you allowed to enlist at 35 in the USA? In Italy the limit is 25.

I wouldn't recommend to enlist at that age unless you really struggle to get a job and have no alternatives. If you can join the police forces instead of the army it could be a more rewarding option I think.

 
   
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Tough-as-Nails Ork Boy






 Blackie wrote:
Wow, are you allowed to enlist at 35 in the USA? In Italy the limit is 25.

I wouldn't recommend to enlist at that age unless you really struggle to get a job and have no alternatives. If you can join the police forces instead of the army it could be a more rewarding option I think.


I was gonna ask the same thing. In france, you can't enlist after 32 and after 25 it's mostly support jobs like logistics.
   
Made in gb
Highlord with a Blackstone Fortress






Adrift within the vortex of my imagination.

As you are a graduate, try to enter as an officer.

If you aren't the sort to pound nails into rocks with his fist there is still room for you in a support role, in fact at your age is probably better option, especially if you are competent.

Have you considered navy? While there are lots of shore based desk jobs, most support roles float alongside the combat arm.

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Last Remaining Whole C'Tan






Pleasant Valley, Iowa

 CadianGateTroll wrote:
I have a garbage throw away bachelor degree (sort of like archeology, psychology, liberal arts, film art, art, political science etc) from a piece of crap university that can't get me a job worth more than $24,000 annually.

I worked for 5 small businesses for 3-5 years and they go out of business so employers can even call them up. Other jobs I work for 1-3 years and get laid off or fired. Nearly 19 years of work experience at the entry level and never promoted. Mid life crisis.

I have no relationships because I am a dead beat.

I can sell all my junk or throw it away and move anywhere.


I don't mean to sound flippant, but these sound like problems that all have a common denominator, and that isn't the field you work in. There may be larger issues at play here that joining the military won't solve and you should consider enlisting outside help to examine those issues before making a major life change such as you are considering. It's always possible to switch fields, relocate, go to grad school, but you've already gotten more education than 70ish percent of the US has and the fact you've been so overwhelmingly unsuccessful in applying it really speaks to something else going on.



This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/09/29 15:40:07


 lord_blackfang wrote:
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Fate-Controlling Farseer





Fort Campbell

I was 17 when I joined. I'm 33 now. The years have worn on me.

If you aren't in good shape right now, I'm going to be very blunt. Don't bother.

It will break you.

Full Frontal Nerdity 
   
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[DCM]
Secret Squirrel






Leerstetten, Germany

Some alternative ways to get a common sense of purpose and belonging:

- join a volunteer fire department
- become a reserve deputy
- join a good martial arts program
- volunteer for community programs

   
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[DCM]
Savage Minotaur




Baltimore, Maryland

 CadianGateTroll wrote:

How many of you would recommend a 35yo to join the army?

Only chime in if you are or was in the army or any armed forces.
I would like to know how old you were when you joined and how long have you stayed.


I joined at 17, did 4 years and went to college then found my career in the motorsports industry.

I'll be honest, when I was an 20 year old Specialist(P) and hand to train some newbies in whatever task I was assigned, I particularly hated those interactions with older soldiers. My experience is in no way exhaustive, as it was a short 4 year "career" but out of about a near dozen soldiers E-4 and below that were 30+ that I worked with or supervised, only one was worth a gak.

The rest were still children in some fashion, had bad habits that were seemingly unbreakable and counterintuitive to long careers in the military, or just had eccentric personalities that grated my nerves. Some had all 3 of those. Even the one that I mention as worth his gak above, was aggressively, unbearable Christian. He had the ability and will to spin it into every conversation, like how that one reddit poster somehow always includes how his dad beats him with jumper cables, no matter the topic. Solid soldier though.

I remember how it always made sense that I only met 2 NCO's that were dramatically older than their peers. Attrition (many variations of it) seems to weed older soldiers out at a much higher rate than the "average" aged soldier.

As I said in another thread, I still sometimes yearn to go back in, even at 35. I'm confident that I could be moderately successful, knowing the game and all, but all those years of a pretty sedentary lifestyle outside the military means I got a much bigger hill to climb than I did at 17. Also, I'll take a paycut, and feth that noise. I also know that it will be a completely different Army than the one I left. The army of the Forever War is quite a bit different than the pre-9/11 military that I joined.

I'd recommend against my dude.

I think d-usa's post above is one of the handful of times I've agreed with him.

Good luck, whichever you choose.



This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2017/09/29 23:36:27


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IronSlug wrote:
 Blackie wrote:
Wow, are you allowed to enlist at 35 in the USA? In Italy the limit is 25.

I wouldn't recommend to enlist at that age unless you really struggle to get a job and have no alternatives. If you can join the police forces instead of the army it could be a more rewarding option I think.


I was gonna ask the same thing. In france, you can't enlist after 32 and after 25 it's mostly support jobs like logistics.


I think for the US Army the age limit is 42 actually, but certain jobs and roles are restricted. I think Officer is much lower than that so even if you have a degree you can't just go in as one. The Marines have a lower cut off age and while they do have waivers they are pretty tough to get, if one can get one at all. Now I could be remembering this wrong.

Edit: Looked it up the Army experimented with the 42 age limit but changed it back down to 35 years ago.

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/09/29 23:09:21


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Room

So, the reason is the mid age crysis? Are you trying to rewind life back and make it different? Then, decide what you really like to do in your life. Maybe you sick of unwilling job or people you hate but can't say that in face I dunno. But if you have goals making thing you like and ready to do - is better than escaping into army (or into wilderness, monastery whatever)

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Eastern Fringe

Joining the military at that age sounds like an f-ing nightmare. I'm 32 and not bad shape, but I wouldn't dream of it.

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Decrepit Dakkanaut





 nels1031 wrote:


I'll be honest, when I was an 20 year old Specialist(P) and hand to train some newbies in whatever task I was assigned, I particularly hated those interactions with older soldiers. My experience is in no way exhaustive, as it was a short 4 year "career" but out of about a near dozen soldiers E-4 and below that were 30+ that I worked with or supervised, only one was worth a gak.



This is similar to my experience, only difference being that I was that 10 year career specialist. . . I literally only met 2. . .that's *TWO* E-4 and below over the age of 30 who were worth a damn. One got medically chaptered out of basic due to medics incompetence in recognizing a fething Brown Recluse bite, and the other was prior enlisted in the Marines (he joined the army because the Marines said that if he wanted to re-enlist, he would be forced to go back to his old career field, which he was trying to stay away from).
   
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Fate-Controlling Farseer





Fort Campbell

In my experience with the Army, the number of useful E-4's and below tend to be in the minority, no matter the age.

That being said, one of my best friends back home joined the Army at 34, even went Infantry, well Mortars, but yeah. He's a great Soldier.

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Kid_Kyoto






Probably work

I'll be honest. I'm talking out my ass here. I've never been in the military. I genuinely hope I never will be. That being said, I'm going to do whatever it is that I'm about to do.

So, I knew a guy who joined when he was in his 30s back when we had that recession a few years ago and he lost his job. We tried anything we could to get him out of it, but it was really hard to scrounge a job at the time, even for someone reasonably qualified, and he had a family to feed. He scored high on the... AIT I think it is? and managed to get in as a specialist. Last I heard, he spent some time in Japan, and then he's been back in Kansas since. So it's possible to pull it off at an older age than 18, at least in theory.

My elliptical says I'd rate on the low side of an Excellent on its built-in Navy cardio test assessment, and I just finished a 6 day hike in the Smoky Mountains. I'm in passable (but really not great) physical shape. That being said, I'd probably exhaust every opportunity to do anything else other than go into the military in my age, because I know myself and I know my tolerance for that level of authority. I'd drive trucks before I'd go in, simply on the basis that I refuse to dedicate that much of my life to any profession up-front without having a taste of what I got into.

It really sounds like you don't know yourself. You sound like you're hoping someone will show you who you are. You could well be someone who thrives under those kinds of conditions. At the same time, you could be someone like me. I've seen people who love the hell out of the military and become lifers, and I've seen people who come back ASAP and are seriously fethed from it. There's just no middle ground, and, if it were me, I'd really, REALLY want to make sure I knew which one I was before I went into it.

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