Am I too old to become an officer?

Question

I am 25 years old and as of yet have no military experience. Being an officer in the military is something I've always wanted to do but just kind of never did. However I am now considering going into the reserves while I finish my degree and upon graduation becoming an officer. This would make me either 27 or 28. Many people are telling me I'm too old to be considering this. However these people have no military experience thus I find myself not completely respecting their opinions. If you have experience in the military, what are your thoughts on this? Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

As of right now, I believe the age is 26 to become an officer. But like almost everything else in the military, you could probably get a waiver. Officer school is very long and hard and it's even harder than most boot camps. If you come out of it, you deserve the rank. But most of the officers I ever came across thought they were better than the enlisted, which the enlisted don't like. If you are really interested, go talk to a recruiter. If you do, see if you can talk to an active duty officer. The recruiter will be helpful up to a certain point, but an actual officer will be able to answer more honestly since he/she has been there, done that. Good luck

Answer 2

Just a bit of advice - if you join the reserves, you may find that you don't have much time to work on a degree (we are at war). Not to discourage you from joining the military - but you should decide what is more important to you, military or college. By the way, I was enlisted 4 years in the USAF.

Answer 3

In order to be a good officer in the US Military, you need Military experience and I believe that 25 years of age with no military experience will disqualify you. 27 0r 28 is the cutoff date to be a officer.

Answer 4

Unfortunately you are too old. This happened to my husband too. There are only 2 ways to become an officier. Go to the Academy or go in Enlisted and go to OTS. You are too old for the academy and by the time you elisted ACTIVE and made it to E-5 (the grade you have to be to go to OTS) you would be too old to go into the program. I believe the OTS cutoff is befre the age of 30. I'm not trying to make you have a bad day but really you are too old. They will not send you to OTS as a reservist. But speak with a local recruiter, I don't think things have changed int eh past 3 years but there are ALWAYS exceptions for exceptional people!

Answer 5

You're reaching an age where you will be too old for some, but not all branches of service. An example of this, is the USMC. To qualify as an OCS candidate, you must graduate and have your commission by your 28th birthday! All that aside, if you go in now, you will be competeing with 22 and 23 year olds, fresh out of college, who will undoubtedly nickname you pappy.

If you can live with that, go for it!

Answer 6

i know how you feel i want to do the same thing...it depends on which way you go about it. you could join a branch and do an officer training program or take like a course in college if that school offers it. you can still get your degree and everything...and as far as army goes i believe you have to be finished before you are 32 but theres waivers for everything....so you are not too old for the army anyway...

Answer 7

The age cut-off for most services is 29. So no, you are not too old. Call your local recruiter and they can refer you to a "officer" recruiter.

Answer 8

my husband was 32 when He commissioned in the Navy. he was 28 when he enlisted.

No, you are not too old.

Answer 9

I dont think you will be too old but its best if you talk to recuiter.