Is joining the Army at 37 recommended or not?

Question

I'm 37 years old. I was recently laid off in February 2006. I work in IT. I am currently working however it's on contract. I guess I'm tired of Corporate America's instability. I know the Army isn't going to be easy. I'm just looking for something with job security, training, discipline, and pride. I have an Associate and Bachelor degree both in IT. Am I crazy to take this route?

Answer 1

One would think that age would be a simple category. One is either old enough, or too old, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way. By federal law (10 U.S.C., 510), the minimum age for enlistment in the United States Military is 17 (with parental consent) and the maximum age is 35.

This is to ensure than anyone who enlists on active duty can be eligible for retirement (20 years of service) at the mandatory age of 55 (60 in some cases).

However, DOD policy allows the individual services to specify the maximum age of enlistment based upon their own unique requirements. The individual services have set the following maximum ages for non-prior service enlistment:


Active Army - 42
Army Reserves - 42
Active Air Force - 27
Air Force Reserve - 34
Active Navy - 34
Naval Reserves - 39
Active Marines - 28
Marine Corps Reserve - 29
Active and Reserve Coast Guard - 27

Answer 2

I think you need to consider all of the pros and cons for yourself, and each person is a different situation.

The age itself is not a reason not to go in, as many people have started new careers at older points than you. I have had friends go through Police Academies in their 40's to start their new career.

You are eligible for enlistment in the Army right now, up to your 42nd birthday, though this is probably going to be a temporary situation. I am currently in the process to go back in and I just celebrated my 50th birthday (though I will only be going back into the Guard).

Among the pros you should consider are stability and a steady paycheck, and a planned career all laid out for you. The Army can tell you exactly what you need to do at what point to get ahead. They will pay for extra training if you need it. One of the best parts is that you can go for the same career field (IT is important to the Army) or something else if you are interested. You will start out at a slightly higher pay grade (either PFC or SPC) due to your education. You will have a retirement and some sort of medical insurance for the rest of your life.

Among the cons for you to consider are the low pay (even a SPC is only going to get about $2000/month with all of the benefits). There is a structure to it that can be hard to get used to if you have not lived a structured life or for certain types of personalities. You cannot just quit if you get somewhere you don't like. You can be moved around between bases against your will (and will be moved every so often though it is not as bad as it used to be). And there is some danger, because even if you stay in IT, your first and most basic job is soldier.

Talk with a recruiter, then talk with your family and the people most affected by your decision. Then remember that it is your decision and you have to be the one to make it and live with it.

Good luck, whichever way you decide.

Answer 3

No your not crazy...With things the way they are, you'd be a fool for not joining...You gave your reasons for wanting to join, job security, training, discipline and pride..To me that says it all. And if your fit enough to pass Basic Training and AIT, then what does the age have to do with it. Think of it this way, you join at 37, and stay in until you have 20. That makes you 57. You get a pension from the Military. If you were a civilian, you'd still be working and through those 20 years, how many times you going to get laid off, fired, or what ever corporate america wants to call it..

Answer 4

I am 32 and and just left the Army after 6 years and 2 tours in Iraq. I was an IT/Communications soldier. I was fortunate enough to work IT the whole time. But I saw allot of soldiers who signed up to work as a communication soldier, medic, fueler, administration. etc. Doing whatever the Army wanted them to. So you have to take into account that whatever you sign up for you may never do once you get to your unit. If they need extra security they might put you in a PSD platoon. Which their only mission is to drive around and provide security for people and is truly boring as **** 95% of the time. And unless you are going in as an officer it will be rough @ 37. Be prepared to be treated like a child until you earn the rank. Even then there will always be someone who will be able to and will treat you like a lesser person. Go in with caution and be prepared for the worst and best.

Answer 5

Based on my past military experience I would have to say that basic training alone would be very "challenging" for someone of your age. I would think long and hard about this, and only do it if you are highly motivated by a sense of patriotism. If you do this now and you are looking at it as more of a career change of scenery you may find that it just wasn't worth it to you. There is a good chance that you will not have a job assignment equal to your level of expertise...in other words you will be starting out with other "rookies". Still, I hate to discourage anyone who is ready, willing, and able to defend this country. I am past the age even with prior military experience where I could enlist though I've wished I were able.

Answer 6

Well, my first response was, "damn, how crappy of a life have you had to have up this point to think of the army as an option at 37?"

But upon further inspection, I think guys like yourself are the EXACT reason they have recently raised the age limits. You've got skills and you seem like you'd be total plug-n-play. I say go for it.

I will caution you on this: If you can, go Air Force. They have better options for techies, and their bases are FAR more plush than the other branches (more facilities and more A/C!). This is info I got from a guy who served in the first Dessert Swarm.

Answer 7

I hope you have been keeping yourself in shape - the reality is that your 37 now and if you haven't been taking care of yourself - your in for a rough time. I wish I was the same guy I was when I rowed crew at URI back in my early twenties - but I know I am not. There are good pension plans for people who stay in the military (because face it the pay is not good), but are you ready to make a 20 plus year commitment to get it. If want to join the Army because you want to support this nation - that makes sense - but as a career choice at 37 that just doesn't make any sense to me. If you do it to be a Patriot I certainly salute you though.

Answer 8

well your question was weather it was recommended or not. I would say at 37 you know what you want. If you are eligible and you can hack it with your qualifications you can go in with a higher ranking than most which means more money and more opportunities. My nephew has been stationed in Japan for years in the air force. He works on computers. You would have job security. If you try to do this scout out who is willing to pay you the most to enlist. With your qualifications there are a lot of incentives available to you.

Good luck with what ever you choose to do!

Answer 9

Unless the army is really desperate for manpower, I think at the age of 37, you are past the recruitment age. The military now is engaged in all sorts of conflicts around the world, and the need is primarily for grunts (infantryman). Is this the kind of life you want?
Your chances of getting killed, or maimed are good in any war zone.

Answer 10

Iwas giving that some thought. I decided against it my old bones are not up to the day in day out pounding i would take. i'm only 38 but foxhole jumping is a game for the young or those older types in very good shape. Besides sounds like your starting that middle age crisis thing don't let it get you into too much trouble.