Would this be possible?

Question

I want to join the military with the ambition of one day being a general of the United States military. The problem is that I want to work as a civilian first, you know get married and make my money before I go to the military which pays less. Would it be possible to first work as a civilian and then enter the military in my early 30's?

Answer 1

Yes, you can stay a civilian. As long as you obtain a college degree, you can join the military and go to OCS, which is the officer equivalent of boot camp. And instead of coming out as a private, you'll be a 2nd Lieutenant. From there, work your way to the top.

Or, if you want to do it the old fashioned way, you can always enlist, and after you obtain the rank of Sergeant or above, yo can go to the officer side, and start off as maybe a 1st Lieutenant or Captain.

But either way, you'll be starting off at the bottom of the barrel, regardless of age. I suggest that if you want to join, do it now, because you can be forced to retire if you reach a certain age or serve for a number of years.

Answer 2

Go to law, dental or medical school. Those specialties each have a general or two kicking around and you wouldn't join until your late 20s to early 30s. Of course, you won't have a ton of money by then because you will be broke from school. Alternately you could try to get the military pay your way in which case you might be debt-free. You won't have much luck otherwise: coming in at 30 means you won't see much operationally (usually a prereq for promotion), and if you are wealthy that will be frowned upon. Try to get some E1 making 18 grand a year to respect and obey you when they know you're loaded. It won't work. As an example, lottery winners in the military are usually asked to leave. Independently wealthy people, unless they are that way by family affiliation, are usually not welcome in the service. It's bad for morale, and basically the feeling is that you're not really committed because you can always bail out and live off of your wealth.

Answer 3

You would be surprised.

Getting to the highest ranks is VERY political. Some officers do ROTC at 17 and end their careers as a major. Others seems to rise through the ranks and get shot into the highest ranks seemly for no reason.

Here's the secret.

The lifeblood of the military is the purse, that is congress. It is no surprise that the most connected (and usually the most well off) become the highest ranking officers in ALL of the armed forces.

If you go there to look for something...it's a loosing strategy. If you go there bringing your influence on congress, you can write your own ticket. Getting to be a general is pure politics since the battle front Generals are groomed, other generals are for influence, like a queen bee..nurtured and feed as long as it produces.

At the end of the cold war, the forces were freaking out about how to justify and maintain the size of the forces. Base "realignments" occurred, layoffs even (unheard of) They first looked at drugs, but it was a loosing strategy; this was winable then there would be no more justification - so they switched to unknowns..like space. Take a look at the hollywood movies that came out, Independence Day, movies about doomsday asteroids and others. I laughed but they rode this as long as they could...

Then 911...finally something that could not be defeated in it's entirety and go on for as long as needed. Suddenly not everything was being done to combat it, allowing cracks to open until finally the 911 group bear bad fruit.

So the military ties the terrorism to anything it needs, oil, security, oppressive governments..ah finally something useful long term.

If you want to be a civilian first, just be rich, or develop super networks in the congress.

The kind of general you can be depends on your skill set. If you want to manage a battle ship - you have to go to west point. If you want to command the Air Force, Flying Airman have a 75% edge in the high ranks. Align your civilian experience with the command you intend to enter.

Good luck.

All things are possible.

Answer 4

Probably not.

To make General you've got to play the political game too - and if you're starting in your 30's, you're way behind everyone else in the game.

Think of your competition - You've got the folks who went through West Point, graduated at 22 as 2nd Lieutenants, and by 10 years later were likely Majors - especially after getting combat experience. That's when you'd be just starting as a 2nd Lieutenant.

As others have said, if you start that late, you'll be very unlikely to rise above the grade of Lt Colonel (O-5).

I'm 43 and I report for Basic Training in about 2 weeks as a Specialist (E-4). Because of my age, the odds of my ever making it above Sergeant First Class (E-7) are VERY long. Hell, I'll be lucky to make Staff Sergeant (E-6). I'm too old to become an Officer.

If you really want to become a General, try to get an appointment to West Point and start now. If you can't get the West Point slot, go for ROTC.

Good luck!

Orion

Answer 5

A person in their 30s is OLD! It basically sounds like you are afraid to join up now because of the war. You will not be wanted later on after all the action is over. There are usually huge layoffs during peace time. Join now or forget it. You only have one chance to be young and to go for your goals.

One other thing. One never has enough money, so to delay dreams for money is a waste of time. Join the service now. Follow some of the good advice you have received here today.

Answer 6

if you join the military at the age of 30+ you will never be a general or a colonel, maybe a very old captain when you retire. for this general thing to work out you better get admitted to west point soon, get over there to iraq while the war's still on, kill some arabs, win some medals, come back get appointed to the pentagon, make some powerful political connections, don't step on anybody's toes, always answer yes sir, and you may just have a chance.

Answer 7

Almost all military generals have gone through a military academy, like West Point or Annapolis. It seems highly unlikely that you could rise to the rank of general after entering the service at the age of 30.

Answer 8

All Generals have at least 30 years in service. If you found a way to enter as an officer, you would still be really close to mandatory retirement age. They probably would not promote you to General based on your age.

The best you could hope for is Major or Lieutenant Colonel, and that is if you could find a commissioning program that would take a 30 year old.

I would have to say that it is almost impossible, check that - IMPOSSIBLE.

Answer 9

All Generals I know of have 30+ years in service. It is not as simple as it sounds. And you don't just join, do the time, and hope to make General. If that were the case, there would be a ton more Generals walking around. It is more to it than that. Don't disappoint yourself with this "plan".

Answer 10

Possible? anything is possible. but the likelihood is extreemely slim. there are only so many Flag officers around, and they all started when they were in their early 20s. you'd be a decade behind your peers. additionally, there are age cut offs to even become an Officer in many career fields. You could find yourself too old in your mid 30s to even get in as an O1.