Culturally speaking, am I too old to enlist in AF reserve or ANG?

Question

I am 30 now and am considering enlisting in the AF Reserve/ANG in the next few months (at which point I would be 31). I have an established career and college degree but I feel something is missing in life and regret not having joined earlier. My question is not so much as to my ability - physical or otherwise - to join the AF Reserve, but the cultural aspect. Am I likely to be the oldest person in my BMT? If I get a friend to enlist with me can we be in the same flight? Are persons going into the reserves in BMT with other reservists or is it mixed? Any other thoughts/comments? Age is really my holdup right now ... if any branch had a program specifically for 27+ persons I'd literally sign up tomorrow but obviously that's not an option.

Answer 1

Well, you will get dogged out pretty good, but it's all in jest. The average age in the Air Force is like 23 and I'm 37. My guys joke me ALL the time. It's all in good fun though!!

Answer 2

Below is the list of maximum age to enlist:

Active duty Army - 42
Army Reserves - 42
Army Natinal Guard - 42
Active duty Air Force - 27
Air Force Reserve - 34
Air National guard - 34
Active duty Navy - 34
Navy Reserves - 39
Active duty Marines - 28
Marine Corps Reserves - 29
Active duty Coast Guard - 27
Coast Guard Reserves - 27

Yes you will be kidded during basic by the other recruits.

But they will also look up to you and bring thier problems to you.

Expect to be called " grandpa"

Yes, reservist and national guardsmen go to the same basic as active duty airmen.

If your going to Tech School right after basic, it might be hard to have a friend be in the same flight during basic, since when you go to basic, is determined by the class starting date of your Tech School.

If you have a degree, have you thought about trying for a reserve or national guard commission ?

Answer 3

yes, you will most likely be the oldest or close to it if you join. But it's not like you would be the first person in their 30s to join. Hey, having some maturity in the group might do some of the younger crowd some good?

I went to Army basic and the oldest person in my platoon was 29 and we had someone 28. But there was 32 year old woman in another platoon in my company.

Answer 4

I'm a 41 year old Sergeant E-5 and I'm about average. I'm in the Tennessee Army Guard and a Light Combat Engineer with the 2/278 ACR. I deployed to Iraq with a 57 year old Vietnam Veteran Platoon Sergeant, (and I'm glad I did!)
Think of it this way, the M-2 .50 caliber machine gun has been in service since 1917, no one really argues about its age! I still do more push-up and sit-ups than most of my younger counter parts, and I have underwear with more time-in-service than my Lieutenant.
Old is just a state of mind.
,,,and it ain't the years, it's the mileage.

Answer 5

I don't think you're too old. I knew a guy who signed up for the army the day before his birthday, at which point he would have been too old to enlist. So I'm sure it happens all the time. I think you may be surprised at how many men around your age may be in your same BMT. Good Luck.

Answer 6

The maximum age for joining the Reserve is 35 without any prior service. Prior service applicants have different requirements.
Check out www.military.com for specifics.

Chief Petty Officer
USNR(TAR), Retired

Answer 7

The age limit in the USAF Reserve/ANG is 27 or 28!! I would check with
the USAF and the US Army Recruiters for more up to date information. You could very well be the
oldest person in your BMT!! The US Army age limit has been increased to 42!!!

Answer 8

the right age to be your daddy... @Blanca. you're too previous to be appearing like a f:king toddler at here. i presumed you have been a three twelve months previous... @domicile..nonetheless barking I see? i don't hear you. -black Pharaoh

Answer 9

the navy will take ya up to 38.........