Is 35 to old to join the army?

2020-04-18T12:44:37-04:00

I am 35. Have a wife and 4 kids. Have a good job but I hate it. Age waiver and dependency waiver have already been approved. At my age is joining the army as a enlisted 12b a good idea?

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Apr 18 at 2020 12:46 PM

2020-04-18T12:46:17-04:00

If you are in good physical shape and you are sure that's what you want, go for it.

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Apr 18 at 2020 1:23 PM

2020-04-18T13:23:58-04:00

It's only too late when the recruiter says "sorry you are too old."

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 18 at 2020 1:43 PM

2020-04-18T13:43:29-04:00

I've seen people in their 50's do it. Just depends on the individual...

https://www.army.mil/article/122708/55_year_old_back_in_basic_training_after_37_years

55-year-old back in basic training after 37 years

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 2:12 PM

2020-04-18T14:12:15-04:00

Only you can answer that question. Are you and your family prepared for you to be away for extended periods of time to include deployments?

Response by SFC Jeremy Boyd made Apr 18 at 2020 3:01 PM

2020-04-18T15:01:24-04:00

I won't lie, I'm surprised you had an age waiver approved, since anyone without prior service is supposed to have shipped to BCT prior to their 35th birthday, but congratulations nonetheless! 12B was actually my first MOS, though I was 18 when I went to 12B OSUT in 1998. We did have a 30 year old in my platoon during training, and he was able to keep up very well and was generally more squared away and composed than the rest of us. Your maturity and experience at 35 should actually be more of an asset to you during BCT than a hindrance. I think too many people harp on the physical aspect of military training and lifestyle, as if it were the be all end all. It does have an impact, but military training and lifestyle are far more mental than physical. Besides, 35 is the new 25!

Response by Eric Pace made Apr 18 at 2020 3:22 PM

2020-04-18T15:22:07-04:00

Thank you for the replies.
I’ve been wanting to join since I was a little kid. My main thing is leaving my family. My recruiter says they will go everywhere with me except for deployments. Is that true?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 18 at 2020 3:25 PM

2020-04-18T15:25:43-04:00

Eric Pace your profile doesn't give us much information on which to base a response. I'll provide some general thoughts.
-Soldiering is a young person's game. It is definitely physically demanding. Depending on your physical condition, you may or may not make it through Basic training without disqualifying injury.
-My grandson went through Combat Engineer school at Ft Leonard-Wood. He said it wasn't too difficult compared to basic, but they still had to do a lot of physical labor and field training.
-If you have a bachelors degree or better, DO NOT enter the Service as an enlisted person. Go see officer recruiters from all 6 Services. Life and pay as an officer is much better than that of an enlisted person.
-Building on the point above, talk to recruiters from Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. There are many specialties available. Pick one that best matches your near- and mid-term goals. If being a combat engineer fits the bill, that's fine. Keep an open mind.
-Consider the Reserve Component. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force have Reserve units. The Army and Air Force also have National Guard units. Reserve and Guard service members go through basic training and a technical school, then return to their Reserve or Guard unit for training. Reserve members attend training one weekend a month and two-weeks a year. Yes, they can be called to active duty to deploy in support of national interests including tours overseas. Some units were called up to help fight the pandemic. This may be the best of both worlds. You can keep the good job you hate and be in the Service at the same time!

If you'd like a more specific answer, please update your profile or message me directly.

Response by Maj John Bell made Apr 18 at 2020 3:42 PM

2020-04-18T15:42:04-04:00

Long explanation
In your teens and early 20's you are made of rubber and recover pretty easily.

In your late 20's you begin the transition to being made of wood, and recovery becomes more difficult

In your late 30's you are slowly but surely making the transition to porcelain and the damage you do to your joints is more likely to be permanent.

Combat arms and combat service support MOS's with a high degree of physicality are a young man's game.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 4:40 PM

2020-04-18T16:40:54-04:00

Dude, I joined the active duty Infantry at age 30. I came in a SPC because of my degree but now I’m going on two years and earning everything the hard (and right) way. I would say that you will have to deal with some BS that you wouldn’t have to when working with your own age peers or as an officer but any job could be like that.

I don’t think it’s weird at all, but the early and mid 20-year olds will MARVEL at you for being soooo old and joining now and “if you joined when they did you’d be a First Sergeant by now!!!” Lol.

Young adults usually don’t know what it’s like to hate multiple careers and they think you’re a grandpa when you’re 29 (as you and I probably thought like at that age).

The Army has been great for my family (wife and one child). My unit respects family and really does accommodate married soldiers no matter their rank.

IMHO, if you feel like you’ll regret the decision later on in life, then you already know the answer. Do it!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 5:59 PM

2020-04-18T17:59:01-04:00

I enlisted at 34 and turned 35 at BCT. Got accepted into OCS at 36. If you are physically and mentally fit, your age won’t stop you from progressing.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 6:05 PM

2020-04-18T18:05:59-04:00

Eric Pace I think it's great that you are considering an enlistment in the Army. That said, you have not mentioned how supportive your spouse of about this venture. What will the impact be on your kids when a PCS move comes up and dislodges them from their familiar surroundings? I can ask that because I grew up as a constantly moving military brat. How will your wife deal with being a single parent when you deploy? Just be certain that you have good family communications in place to deal with all the stuff that will come up and then go for it!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2020 7:13 PM

2020-04-18T19:13:08-04:00

When I wrestled I saw 3 components that defined wrestlers. They were knowledge, endurance, and heart. I think all 3 apply to you.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 18 at 2020 11:28 PM

2020-04-18T23:28:29-04:00

You can do it if you really want to serve but the pay will be low, can your family handle that? I would advice you to go Army Reserves first and build up some rank and time before going active duty. But you can do it if you are physically fit and KNOW your limitations. I came in 2008 three months before by 42 birthday and went Psychological Operations so you can do it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 10:24 AM

2020-04-19T10:24:04-04:00

Age should not be a problem. Are you ok being separated from your family while in the field?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 2:12 PM

2020-04-19T14:12:45-04:00

I re-enlisted at 34 to be a 12B, been in the role now for a few years, but I am NG. I would say this, you will never make a mistake joining the military, but make sure it is for good reasons. This is not just a job. I was active when I was a younger man and really enjoyed it. As far as doing 12B in your late 30's, make sure you are squared away and physically fit. I am in a Sapper unit and all we do is ruck and carry heavy shit. But, when we get to go to the demo range, and blow shit up... there is nothing greater than that!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 19 at 2020 7:23 PM

2020-04-19T19:23:10-04:00

You can do it man, a lot of my BCT was over 30, try to come in with some rank if you can, but just being an older guy after you're done with training and such you will most likely get more respect than the other 18-20 year olds at a similar rank, which also means they will expect you to have your shit together a bit better. 35 is not too old to join if you feel like it would be good for you and your family.