Joining the Navy or Coast Guard at an "older" age?

Question

It's always something I've kind of regretted not doing and have been thinking of a major career change lately. I'm one of those people who complains about the world, but never does anything to change it, so it's time to start walking the walk. My main holdup is my age (32). I know I can still officially join, but I hesitate by the fact that I'll be surrounded by a bunch of punks just out of HS. I do already have a BA, but most of the Officer programs don't interest me so I'm thinking of the Enlisted programs. I'd rather "push the buttons" than "push papers" if you know what I mean. I'd like any advice from someone who has been in my shoes but still joined. Is it weird being bossed around by people 10 years younger than you? What are some of the pros and cons of joining either the Navy or Coast Guard past the age of 30. Am I crazy for even considering this?

Only legitimate answers please (don't just say "talk to a recruiter" because that is obvious). Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

First of all, if you already have a BA, I HIGHLY recommend going OCS and getting commissioned. I personally believe you would be like a fish out of water if you chose to enlist (most enlisted don't get degrees until later in their careers and most of them are chiefs). You would be miserable with the fresh-out-of highschool kids, just because of your maturity and life experiences. Also, the difference in pay is astronomical, as are the housing benefits and retirement pay. Money isn't everything, but it's much easier to live comfortably as an officer. It's difficult to raise a family on enlisted pay (especially the first 4 or so years) without serious tightwadding. Take a look at the pay charts and you'll see what I mean.

In addition, you would not notice a huge difference in age in the Officer community. My husband was 26 when he went into OCS and he wasn't the oldest by any stretch of the imagination. Also, there are always the prior-enlisteds who get commissioned, so they are older, too.

You are not crazy for considering it. I highly recommend it. We love the military life.

Answer 2

My husband was 24 when he joined the Amy National Guard and yes he was around a ton of 17 year olds and they did drive him a bit crazy. They were all still in high school working on the split program and my husband had 3/4 of his college done, served a 2 year mission for his church, spoke another language, had a wife and a 1 year old son. So he was very different than everyone else. While in basic he was put into a room that had 6 guys total - they were all over the age of 21 - so that was nice that there were other older guys with him - his battle buddy was 32. My husband was put into leadership positions instantly - he was viewed as being responsible and not flighty. It was a good experience for him - yes he has has less tolerance for people that are lacking in the common sense area, but because of his age he has always made wise decisions - his "gerital group" were no worry to his drill sargents - they were actually releaved to have them. I believe that when you are older and wiser you can move up easier in rank and you have a better career than do the younger ones - you will at least be smarter with your pay - you actually can save a ton of money. Those are just from our experiences. After being enlisted for awhile you can transfer to OCS if you want to since you already have a degree - at least you could in the Army

Answer 3

Hey, if you join the Navy, the Coast Guard or any other branch of the service, you had better be willing to follow orders without question. It is more than likely that a younger person will out-rank you and will be giving you orders. The only difference between working for a younger boss in industry and working for a younger boss in the military is that in the military you can't talk back. In industry, you have the opportunity to lead and advise and maybe even help the youngster. Why don't you take a job in a service industry where you can make a difference? I wouldn't trust recruiters. Additionally, if you join today, be prepared to be away from home for extremely long periods and be prepared to have your enlistment period extended. Once you join the service, you can't just quit. If you work at a job and find it unsatisfactory, you can look for another one while you are still working and then you can give your two week notice. If you join the Navy or the Coast Guard or any other branch of the Armed Forces and you don't like it, depending upon your actions and attitude, it could get you a ticket to the front lines of a war zone, courtmartialed and maybe even jailed. Think hard before doing this.

Answer 4

You will kick yourself in the butt if you join as an enlisted. You can have a better chance of "making a change in the world" as an officer. A mature person with education is what the Navy and Coast Guard lacks. You would be surprised on how many people I have to babysit. My son has more sea time on dependants cruise then some of these 20yr old Junior Officers yet they think they know everything. Your age with your initiative to get a degree will be perfect to become an Officer.

Answer 5

First once a Coasty always a Coasty, just like the Marines. I did boot cam at age 25 many years ago, You will do boot camp standing on your head. You already have the maturity to understand and play the "game. Forget the age factor you should wind as recruit company yeoman and that will keep you out of the kids hair and them mostly out of yours.(been there done that).... I was a sonar tech an obsolete rate now I recommend going either Quartermaster or Boatswain. A Quartermaster will qualify you to take a large vessel commercial ticket after service. and Boatswain will teach you real seamanship and qualify you for small and medium vessel commercial ticket.

If you are smart at your age you will get over the idea of being an officer is pushing papers. They command small vessels, stations and do deal with paperwork but they also have responsibility for the lives and safety of not only their people but that of the boating public. They run counter narcotics patrols, harbor security, maritimee fish and game law enforcement, maritim safety, and first and foremost search and rescue. They are the people who see that the material and the people are in place to make it happen. I will admit that the making it happen then falls on the senior petty officers; however without the Officers we could not have made it happen.

Answer 6

It's not going to say it explicitly in the handouts. The handout may say you have to be in good health but the problem with that is some people have different definitions of what is "good health." You could find someone who's overweight and they consider themselves in good health because they call themselves "thick" instead of fat. At the same time, you have people who think that if you can't run 2 miles in less than 12 minutes you're unhealthy. The branches have manuals they use to determine what medical conditions you can have before you're disqualified. For initial enlistment purposes, MEPS uses AR (Army Regulation) 40-501 for all branches. You will find the restriction on people with mental illnesses joining in there.

Answer 7

I have no Idea about the navy or the coast guard. you will most likely be called a boot despite ur age either way in the navy. Ide probably go coast guard if I were you. Homeland Security!!! As far as respect and people on power trips safer in the coast guard. Sorry this isnt very informative at all. But I would go coast guard

Answer 8

You're too old for the CG:

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

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm

They are Up-To-Date cause the Army just raised it to 42 a few months ago.

Answer 9

I would be an officer unless you want a 19 year old telling you what to do?