Did you join the armed forces later in life? How old were you when you joined and has it worked for you?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:04:44 -0500

Ok, I joined at 31 years old as a PV2. I'll get the PFC on January. I would say that the hardest part is being, at least, 10 years older than my peers. Because of my age, I always feel better speaking with E5-E7 because they are usually my age and they are more mature than people of my rank, not just because of the rank but the age too.
It is funny how the treatment of people that doesn't know me change so much when I'm using the PT uniform. As they don't know my rank, they think that I may be a NCO or even an Officer, always so much respect " Good morning, good afternoon, How is it going, Sir?" But when they see me in ACUs, they are like, "meh, is just a private". I don't take it bad, maybe is the Army culture.
Do you have any similar experience?

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 12 at 2014 11:06 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:06:55 -0500

I didn't join at an older age - but I knew several that did. They enjoyed being in with us "youngsters" but found it frustrating to be a junior enlisted with much more life experience than their peers rank-wise especially when their experience in life didn't exactly help them a great deal for what the military had for them.

No matter! Enjoy your time in the service - you've joined a rare group of men and women!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 12:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 12:40:09 -0500

I entered the service when I was 21 and have recently retired so I can't really relate to the experience of being an older junior enlisted service-member. Despite that though, I definitely can respect those who came in later in life. It's also easier to speak to a new Soldier when they are older. When I was a PSG at my schoolhouse a few years ago, we had a vast variety of Soldiers coming through with ages ranging from 17 up to 41 years. Many of the older ones were much easier to speak to at a maturity level than the younger ones. Many of them were also more willing to get things done.

Keep your head up regarding how others look at you. Just maintain the discipline and do your best on what needs to get done. Continue to learn, learn and learn. And ALWAYS step up to the plate.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 1:28 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:28:32 -0500

I enlisted at 25. Not quite like being 30 or 40, but old enough to set me apart from the "kids." The biggest thing that I've noticed about older "enlistees" is that because they feel more comfortable around people their age, they'll try to hang out with soldiers a few ranks above them. Just because you're the same age as the platoon sergeant doesn't mean you should try and be buddies with him. As a private, I carefully avoided making that mistake, as I was much closer in age to the SSGs. I believe that allowed me to be respected for who I was as a soldier instead of being regarded as a cocky nuisance. Having a little bit of life experience under your belt goes a long way, as long as you know when it's relevant, and when you're just another soldier.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 4:51 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 16:51:17 -0500

We have a 32 year old PV2 in my unit. You can definitely tell that he is uninterested in the normal lower enlisted conversation. I can't imagine making a life decision like joining the military at such an age. But anyways, awesome! Congratulations on making a great life choice!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2014 9:32 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 21:32:36 -0500

I have experienced similar. In the military, we have a certain timeline in our heads. Good example:
I found myself in a series of company briefings. (Death by PowerPoint). The guy doing the briefing was at the front of the room. The lights were down. I picked an available seat in the back. This guy was fantastic. He was probably about 40. Head up, conducting back-briefs...no filler words. Spot on and motivational. In the dark, I was sitting straight up, and being new to the unit, I assumed by his posture and confidence that this guy was at least, the battalion commander.
He was an E-5. I had fallen into the trap of equating knowledge with rank.
And yes, this is coming from a 34-year-old E-5...
The first thing people want to know, whether they verbalize it or not, is what happened? What scandalous thing did you do to get busted down to private. "Surely, you are subject to the same timeline as the rest of us young 'uns!"
SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member, stay the course. If you plan on making the military a career, use your life experience to help others, and view it as an advantage. If you have any questions, add me as a contact and message me. Many of my NCOs, and officers, over the years, have been invaluable.
You have an edge, so use it wisely. Best of luck to you, and keep us updated.

Response by SPC Daniel Edwards made Dec 13 at 2014 11:00 PM

SPC Daniel Edwards — Sat, 13 Dec 2014 23:00:21 -0500

I tried to join at 26 but I had an inguinal hernia that stopped me. Got it fixed and came in at 28. This has worked for me so far because it has given me a sense of purpose whereas when I was a civilian, I was just hoping to make it by. I'm am a self-professed introvert so I don't hang out with anyone unless I am invited. Everyone at my last unit wanted to party and drink all the time so I tried my best to avoid them. When I joined the military and got to my first unit, I always talked to SGT's with a sense of fear and now I just talk to them like I do anyone else. It makes no difference to me.

Response by 1SG Frank Boynton made Dec 14 at 2014 8:18 AM

1SG Frank Boynton — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 08:18:10 -0500

I enlisted at 17 and retired at 37. Could have gone much further, but now glad I got out when I did. I served 20 and have been drawing retirement going on 23 years. I definitely beat the odds. Back when I retired the average length of retirement pension was 5 years.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 9:25 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:25:53 -0500

I joined at around 35. That's after 12 years in college though.

Response by SGT Kyle Taylor made Dec 14 at 2014 9:52 AM

SGT Kyle Taylor — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 09:52:46 -0500

So I was 30 myself when I joined. PVT Taylor from day 1 but even in basic the DS had me as PSG most of the time and would explain what they wanted and it seemed that the one on one shotgun blast didn't seem to find me as much. I have only been at 1 duty location for just over my 9yrs in service. As people got to know me I seemed to get better duties, job position, and schools. I have went up to E5 (P) and than 4187 dropped my (P) for a new MOS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 10:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 10:06:53 -0500

Joined at age 40 years old - I owned a gym in civilian life and decided to join military to give back to this country that was so great to me. I have had the same experiences as yourself, just be there for the younger soldiers and a ear for the higher ranks and you will learn a lot . I took the road from E-1 when I came in even with a college degree so I could learn as much as I could along the way so I always remember what it felt like to be at that rank. You can make a difference!!

Response by SSG Tim Everett made Dec 14 at 2014 11:18 AM

SSG Tim Everett — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 11:18:02 -0500

I enlisted on the Delayed Entry Program, graduated, did my MEPS final out the day before my birthday, and arrived at Basic on my birthday.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 11:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 11:44:14 -0500

I turned 25 in basic training. I walked from my college campus to the Guard recruiter the day I completed my degree requirements and signed up.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2014 7:12 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 14 Dec 2014 19:12:51 -0500

I joined late as well, it was rough and its still rough. My peer group is lazy and not focused on getting better or acheiving the next rank. But, i can apperciate what the military has to offer verse if i joined when i was straight out of high school.......

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 16 at 2014 9:31 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 21:31:57 -0500

I left for Basic Training at 26 and turned 27 during my tech school. There were times as an Airman that I hated being treated lke a little kid like the teenagers but I accepted it as part of being the "new guy". I also used that as my motivation to study and do what I needed to do make the next ranks. It paid off for me as I made all my promotions way ahead of average. Also coming in later I got all the kid BS out of the way and was able to stay out of trouble and focus on my career and later family because I was already past the partying and women chasing. If I had come in at 18 the first time I talked to the recruiter I probably wouldn't have made it through my first enlistment and ended up back in my dead-end hometown doing nothing with my life.