currently i am going thru some tough times with my job...i have been sending out resumes etc...but i have considered joining the armed forces...i know the pay isn't wonderful, but they pay for your housing & food so that aint bad...i am 27, so i do not know if i am too old to join...how difficult is it to get into OCS? i have mangagement experience with my current job so that may be an option...i would also like to get into something involving aviation, since i fly a lot with my current job (not a pilot, but i still have to go up in small fixed wing aircraft and rotorcraft on occasion) another thing that appeals to me about the military is good pension and medical benefits...thanks in advance


:flag


[Modified by eleven79, 5:09 PM 4/17/2003]

 

Call your local recuiter, they will be able to answer all your questions.
:flag

 

Currently a Captain in the Army Reserve, I can answer a few of your questions. At 27 you are not too old to join, oldest is 30. As long as you are in good health they will find a job for you.

Bad part for you is that going in and starting at scratch you will be the low man on the totum poll and the pay will show. I think a private gets paid under $17,000 a year.

If you have management skills and some sort of education after high school go the OSC route. A 2nd LT will make in the high $20's, by the time you make Captain you are in the high $30,000.

Unless you like being on the receiving end of all orders and starting at ground one, you will not be happy going in at 27 starting as a private.

 

The military is one of the best ways to grow up and learn self-discipline. I say, "Go for it". I knocked around for a few years after HS and realized that I was going nowhere fast. I joined the USAF as a jet engine mechanic and it was the best decision I ever made. I think there is an age cut off at 28 (may be wrong) so you better look at your options now since you are 27. When I joined they had a delayed enlistment program that guaranteed you the job you wanted (if your test scored was enough for that job) so I actually waited 6 months before going to boot. I don't know if they still have that though. I think you still need 4 years of college to be considered for OCS. One of the most positive things about going into the military and then receiving an honorable discharge is companies love to see military service on your resume. Companies know, for the most part, that with a military service record, this person has self-discipline, respect for authority and in most cases good work ethics.

 

as much as i want to say, "go for it", i just can't. don't get me wrong, the Marine Corps was absolutely the best thing that ever happened to me. like the captain said, if you can go the OCS route, that would be an option. at 27 though, your in the sergeant to staff sergeant age bracket. it may be a hard transition for you with your management experience to go enlisted and end up taking orders from a 22 year old corporal because your a private, especially if you know the orders fly in the face of logic. unfortunately, in alot of instances, all it takes to earn stripes is time. and by the same token, time is the main thing that earns you stripes.
with everything lately, i've had half a mind to re-up but i can't see going back in, even if i could keep my sergeant strips, at 33-ish (ouch) with basically no points toward my staff-NCO composite score. i have lots of other things that would prevent me from doing so as well (like i'm too fat, own my own business, etc.) it's something that i miss. it was certainly something that changed my life. but i think in large part, it's a young man's game. at 27 your pushing that envelop. when i went through boot camp, there was a guy in my platoon that was 28, he was the 'old' guy. it was tough on him. just keep that in mind.

 

At the age of 27 DO NOT ENLIST! You will be miserable. If you have some college behind you or a fair amount of work expeience talk with the army about a warrant officer position. The Army has an aviation program for helicopter pilots that does not require a degree. I went in at 18 and it was the best decision of my life. But as an enlisted man the first couple of years you will catch all the crap jobs and at 27 you will be taking orders from 20 and 21 year old e-3's and 4's. If you have a college degree contact the officer recruitment offices. I was going to go back in the Navy as an NFO (Naval Flight Officer) and pasted all of the tests but landed a very good paying job just before signing on the dotted line.

Don't get me wrong the military is a great way to grow and I spent 5 years in the NAVY that I look back on very fondly. If I could get a reserve commision in one of the services I would do it in a heartbeat but they all want you to enlist first and then get selected. I have already done the enlisted route and not eager to do that again. What ever you do take your time in deciding and make sure you do it for all the right reasons. Once you get through boot camp you are in and can really affect the rest of your life if you decide it isn't for you and want out.

 

If you already have a bachelor's degree in something, find an Officer recruiter and get set up to go to OTS. It's 12 weeks and when you're done, you're a 2Lt. But, I'm talking Air Force...I'm not much experienced in the ways of the Army or Navy.

And, there is the possibility of going into UPT (AF pilot training) or Nav training or other flying related jobs after OTS and getting your wings...you just have to meet the physical requirements and a few other tests.

 

I was active for 13yrs and then was in the reserves. I was able to do a lot in the service... and get a lot out of it. Educational oportunities are the things you have to keep in mind - you can get more schooling, training, and education that will lead to beetter jobs when you return to civilian life. The pay is adaquate - but the experience is second to none!

If your considering it, go talk to ALL the recruiters! Qualifications and oportunities vary from service to service. I was enlisted and also obtained a commission... and if you have a college degree, you definitly want to go officer programs. Young guys with associate degrees have some oportunty to get their BS... but the programs vary.

The physical is another possible show stopper... thats why you need to go and see if you QUALIFY!

John :flag :thumbs:

PS: I dont think you can take your vette to boot-camp/OSC! :sad:

 

Quote
. I think you still need 4 years of college to be considered for OCS.

OCS is the only route to get an Officer commision with already having a 4 year degree. Prior to being promoted to Captain you will have to have a 4 year degree or no promotion. I have worked with quite a few officers who went this route.

Go the route of seeing an Officer Recruiter and take your time as the others have suggested.
Also if you do go in, make sure you have a place to keep your baby (vette) in case you do get stationed over seas. Too many soldiers get ride of nice cars because they are stationed over seas for 1 - 2 years and then regret it when they get back.

Good Luck :cheers:

 

The military is a great choice, but I definitely agree with what the others have said. Being 27 years old already, you do not want to enlist.

I had a 4 yr Army ROTC sholarship, which paid for my college and was commissioned as a 2LT upon graduation. I stayed in for 4 years and got out as a Captain. Many of my peers were like yourself - people who decided to joiun the military at a later age, or were prior enlisted whoc got out, got their degree, and then cam back in after going through OCS. You won't get rich in the military, but you'll be taken care of and you will become a better person as a result of your experience and service to your country.

I just would not recommend enlisting at your age. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll get promoted to PFC quickly after basic and adavanced training, but you'll still end up doing alot of crappy work for very little pay. It really hurt to see hard working enlisted men and women live off of food stamps and other government welfare programs while serving in the military because they weren't paid enough to support their family.

I'd also recommend inquiring about the Warrant Officer route as was already suggested if you are interested in the aviation route. You get most of the benefits of being a commissioned officer, but you generally don't have command, and you get to keep flying long into your career. Alot of commisioned officers who are aviators find themselves behind a desk after only a few years of actual flying.

Good luck.

 

I was enlisted in the Air Force for seven years. If you want to become an officer, you will need a 4 year degree. I believe 28 is the cutoff for joining, but they may waive that during these times. I highly suggest the Air Force if you want true job experience and a better quality of living. There is an old joke about the Army spending all of their money on runways and not having enough for housing so they are told to make due. The Air Force spends all their money on housing and then don't have the money for a runway. Therefore, they get the extra funds because you can't have an Air Force without a runway. ;) Seriously, the Air Force is the best way to go if you want an education and job experience, but times are difficult even there. The armed forces have fewer people and more tasks these days, so you end up doing a lot more work. If you do decide to join (as enlisted), you will need to go to a recruiter. Look through a list of jobs and get CLEAR descriptions of the work involved. A friend of mine went in wanting a job in electronics and ended up working on electronics in munitions because he wasn't specific. No matter what they tell you, they CAN give you a specific job, so make sure you get what you want, do NOT go in under general anything. The medical benefits have been whittled away, but the retirement is still decent. You will definitely make more as an officer, but there is a lot of politics involved in moving up the ranks. If you have a 4 year degree and want to go in as an officer, don't let them talk you into going in as enlisted first and then trying to get into OTS. You'll have better chances becoming an officer if you apply directly to OTS now. You may have to spend years enlisted first, and while it's good experience, it will take too much time. Good luck with whatever you do.

Take a look at this site, it will give you info on some different jobs, plus, you can click on the link to pay charts and get a good idea of the pay scale. When looking at the pay chart, keep in mind that is the amount you will be paid if you live on base and have to eat at the base dining facility. If you qualify to live off base, you will get BAH, which varies by location and rank, and also BAS which is a standard amount for food (around $270/mo when I was in). BAH and BAS are non-taxable, only your basic pay is taxed. There is also a link to info about OTS on this site.
http://www.af.mil/careers/


[Modified by Captain Morgan, 2:27 PM 4/17/2003]

 

I love it. The officer route is definately the way to go if you already have a bachelor's degree. If you do have a degree, don't let a recruiter talk you into enlisting. I'm an enlisted guy and have two corporals that work for me, both of which have college educations. I could be saluting these guys, but because they got talked out of OCS, they work for me, a 24 year old sergeant.
If you don't have a degree, enlisted guys have more fun anyway, even if we are stupid but cunning and bear considerable watching.
:chevy :flag

 

I am currently enlisted in the USAF. Have been for the past 17+ years. I joined when I was 17. Yes military life is good, but of course NOTHING is going to be all roses. If you are wanting to join as an answer to income, don't !!!!!! If you want to join to serve your country, go for it. When I first joined I told as many people as I could that it was a great opportunity and staying to retirement was a great way to go. I NOW say, enlist for 4 years, use the AF to get your education and get out and find a good paying job. If you join now, at 27, you won't be eligible to retire until 47. I will retire at 37. Don't talk to a recruiter. I say this because right now, they will tell you everything you WANT to hear, not what you NEED to hear. Even going to OTS to become an officer, you still start at the bottom. Just my .02 and to add to all this, I DO NOT regret becoming a member of the greatest military in the WORLD. :flag

 

okay, i think you guys have talked me out of it...i don't have a college degree, so the OTS/OCS thing is out of the question....i don't think i would want to be an enlisted person (espescially when the younger fellas would be bossing me around) considering i am in a management position right now -- i am just really frustrated with my current GIG...but these are very tough times to be looking for a job with this economy and all...i think i will just take my time looking for a better gig (better paying too!) -- since i have a job, i'm not in a pinch, i have the liberty to take my time....but then again, maybe things will turn out for the better at my current gig if i stick it out and look on the bright side...thank you so much for chiming in here and giving me straight answers...i really do appreciate it....i considered the military because it is a chance to do something good for my country. words cannot express the gratitude i feel for you guys defending our country... the sacrifices you have to make to your freinds and family to preserve our way of life...you guys are the CHAMPS! keep up the good work and keep kickin AZZ and making the world a better place for us all!

:cheers:
:flag

 

If you want to fly your only option at this point is Army Warrant Officer route. I think you need to be into flight school before you are 29 1/2. I tried to get into this about 10 years ago, but didn't make the vision requirements. (If they only had laser surgery back then) Talk to an Army Recruiter about taking the F.A.S.T. test before you sign anything. Once you pass that test the rest is not too bad.
I had prior service in the Air Force as a jet engine mech, like theandies. Had a great time for 4 years.
If you are dedicated enough, age will make no difference. Go for it! Flying a Helicopter is a blast.