I am 32 thinking of joining the Navy Reserves as an officer ... anyone out there any advice?

Answer 1

The military is a huge commitment and understand that even after your contract is done, especially as a commissioned officer, you may be called back into service during a time of conflict. That being said the following is rather accurate.
Being involved in the service will give you a huge change in your perspective of life and the world around you. Being deployed will affect that persepective even more. You will always be proud of serving but perhaps may suffer some in your personal life for it. Many a relationship/marriage has ended in divorce over the service and the demands that it places on those involved. In a sense......... you are married to the service. Now the reserves is a seperate issue. However you will be amazed at the changes that it causes in your life when you are deployed. More than what can be explained here. Many suffer psychological effects from deployments. It can be quite common. I believe the reported percentages range somewhere in the 30 percent range in terms of those reporting for treatment.
They will break you down and build you back up. You better be willing to have somebody you know very little about in your face giving you "the business" while training... and let me tell you they will be quite hard on you if you are wanting to be commissioned. Its called frontal stress training. It one of the most essential parts of military training. Its purpose is to teach you how to keep your compsoure under stress that is hitting you "right now" on a moments notice and to make sure you can think clearly during such a strain.
Vets cling to each other in a way that I can never fully explain other than they have the ability to look into one another and understand what each has been through. Its a comfort and understanding that causes bonding. Even if you dislike other traits about someone you will always have that understanding.
Whatever your decission is understand this......... it is a very very big decission. Make sure its something you feel stongly about. More and more are joining at an older age than they used to. Thats not such a bad thing so dont let that be what deters you. Search yourself and youll know what to do. Take your time. Good luck.

Answer 2

Your question carries a lot of weight as well as a lot of variables. Are you currently looking for a job? Do you have a degree? what is your level of commitment?
My first impulse is to say go for it! I enlisted in the Army just under two years ago; had i known i could have been commissioned as an officer because i have a degree, i most certainly would have gone that route. I think the rhetoric about which military branch is BS, the real question is your commitment level. As an officer, many expectations and responsibilities will be laid on your shoulders from the beginning. True, even though as a 2nd LT (or ensign, i think for the Navy) you will basically be a "private," the expectations will be higher. If you're ready to meet that challenge, i think you will find yourself in a rewarding and challenging career. You'll find yourself in places and positions you never thought possible before. For the Army, in three years officers can make captain, which means they'd be OIC of a company (100-200 soldiers), i don't know what the Navy equivalent of that is, but that's just some food for thought. Also, don't think of your age as an impediment, you lived some years, gained a degree i assume, so you have experience and insight on your side that many coming straight from the academy wont have. I hope I've helped!

Answer 3

Do you look good in bell-bottoms, but I guess RLO's [real live officers] don't have wear those.

I put in 23 in the Army Guard as an EM, got my first retirement check last year and it came with medical care benefits. At 32 you may not realize how big that is. I can go out and work as a contractor without being overly concerned about benefits.

The real question is what do you think you would be doing? The meanest trick in the military is getting a young person to be a Navy Corpsman and not telling them you may very well be part of the Marines. Thank God for them, but they should know what they are getting in before hand.

Answer 4

If, you qualified to be an officer this is good. I will say retire in 20 years, you be 52. Still time for another career. Just think and be sure of the job you choose. I tell people you not want to be a Tank Driver. But, I not sure Navy has Tanks. So, just don't be a Munitions Specialist. Think........where will this job actually put me if there a war!!! There are others that enjoy driving tanks and blowing up things. ;-)

Answer 5

Why would you join the Navy when there are so many jobs out there that you can get that pay just as good or better?

There is alot of hassle in the military and that is why so many people are getting out and why it hard to keep people in.

My advice is don't do it.

I used to be enlisted and got out, went to college, and now I have a college degree. If I wanted to I could go in as an officer but there is NO WAY!

Answer 6

you can join the Navy as a Direct Commision Officer or DCO and it depends on what type is your degree along with experience. the cut off age is 35 older in some cases depends on what they are looking for. you can start by talking to a reserve officer recruiter. hope this helps.

Answer 7

Understand one thing. You will be in OCS with people ten years your junior. More than likely they will be calling you pappy. If you don't think the age gap will mean much, think again. Twenty two year olds are still pretty immature.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just prepare you for what's to come !

Answer 8

You can just walk in as a officer at 32 with no previous military training?
Hell, sign me up.

Answer 9

If you really want to do it and fully understand all the risk go for it. It is a great opportunity. it's good to see there are still people in this country who are willing to serve GOD bless and good luck.

Answer 10

Just remember it would be a voluntary act.

If called to active duty would you be willing to go, or would you come crying to us?
Do you truly want to serve your country, or just want to impress someone???

Now, be honest and you tell us.