Is being 23 years old too old to join the Army??

Question

I am currently 20 years old and am a Junior in college.

I am majoring in Criminal Justice and want to become a police officer. Joining the Army has always some what interested me, but after high school decided to go to college insted.

By the time I have completed my studies, I will be about 23 years old, almost 24. Is that too old to join? I havent had any training at all.

Would be interested in joining the Military Police.

Answer 1

Join now to get what you want and in writing. If you join while you are enrolled in college gives you more of a chance to become that Military Police.

The maximum age to join the Army is 41 years old. We have your age always coming into our office wondering the same thing.

SSG Schramm
US Army 15 years
OIF 2003
US Army Recruiter 3 years currently Texas

Answer 2

Joining The Army At 23

Answer 3

These days, not at all. I think they've upped the max age to 40-something.

If you finish your degree and want to be an officer (instead of enlisted), the max age for OCS is still a lot more than 24. It was 29 when I was looking at it several years ago, and I believe they've raised it since.

Does your university have an ROTC program? You should go chat with those guys - maybe you can start your commissioning program in your last couple years of school.

Don't believe a recruiter who tells you that you have to serve some enlisted time before you can apply for OCS - civilians can apply directly to OCS, it'll just be harder on you if you have no prior military experience. Again, go find an ROTC program, at your uni or at another, is the best advice I can give you. Also, be flexible and shop around - maybe the Air Force or the Marines are a better fit for you, depending on your goals. And make sure you look at the Coast Guard - you can get a lot of law enforcement experience commanding a cutter, potentially a lot more than commanding an MP company on an Army post.

Answer 4

You could join the Army as an Officer (in the Military Police field) once you finish college. Get hired by a Police department back home, and then you could join a MP unit in the National Guard or something. Being an MP v.s. being any other MOS in the military won't give you any special edge in getting hired as a civilian Police officer. They look at the military experience in general. And with a 4-year degree most PD's would be more than glad to hire you. Just some other options for you.

Answer 5

You are not to old. The Army will give you any training you need, and more importantly, their training. There are many ways to become a military police officer in the military. All with positive and negative aspects.

1. You can Enlist as an E-3 (Spec). After receiving training as a MP you may have the option of becoming a CID agent.(think FBI) Promotion to Warrent Officer (W1) is possible. On the downside, you are the lowest link on the food chain.

2. You may receive a commisioning as an officer (O1/2ndLt) After completing your training you can request a MP MOS. Training can begin during next summer. The pay is slighlty better, with more perks but a lot of responsability.

Answer 6

I came in the Army in my early 30s. It's fine, I was at training with people older than me.

You should join the national guard right now on the ROTC-SMP program. That means you drill once a month with a guard unit and do ROTC at school. They can't deploy you till you graduate and you'll get better than a grand a month, PLUS free tuition & about 800/sem for books. You can choose to either do the short ROTC summer training, or go to basic & MP school for which you'll get a bonus when you get back. If you choose to do MP school, that'll give you a much better chance of getting MP when you graduate & commission. When you do graduate, you aren't bound to the guard, you are free to go active or reserve if you like.

I'll warn you though, a lot of people in the guard/reserve want to do something totally different than what they do all week long. I know folks that are really successful laywers & such on the outside, but they are infantry officer and helicopter pilots in the guard. Coming in through the guard and ROTC will give you the chance to really explore the options open to you and decide if you want MP for sure, and if you want active or guard/reserve.

Best of luck to you! Msg me if you need a pointer at some info or contacts.

Answer 7

Nope not too old. In fact if you do it just right, you can get the military to help pay for the rest of your education and all you have to do is take ROTC and join as an officer. Being a cop can wait, it will be there when you feel it's time to retire or get out of the military. I went into the Marines first then became a Special Investigator. They military helps and if you're in the legal aspects of the military, you'll have even more clout when you get out.

Go for it!!!

Answer 8

23 isn't too old to join, but it can be a little harder to adjust to people telling you what to do. If you will have your degree tell them you want to be sent to Officer Candidate School (OCS) so you can be commissioned as an officer in the Military Police. They will pay off your college loans, and you'll earn a lot more money as an officer than an enlisted man. Although, if you choose to go the route of enlisted you will enter as an E-4 (Specialist) because of your degree. Recruits with 2 and three years of college enter as E-3s. Have fun.

Answer 9

It's not too old. I joined at 23. Finish school though. Even if you choose to go enlisted, a degree will really help out.

Answer 10

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