How long of a career can I have in the military?

Question

How long of a carreer can I have in the miltary? There will be a point where it will be physcially harder to serve. What are the options in the military when you reach a certain age, instead of retirement?

Answer 1

the maximum length is 30 years before mandatory/forced retirement. There have been a couple of exceptions, most notably Admiral Grace Hopper who did served over 40 years.

after 30 years, if you cannot pass the annual PRT, you will be retiring. period. Many go on to serve as civilian consultants after getting out.

Answer 2

Careers generaly run for 20 years then you are able to retire with a pension. While on your way to twenty you have 4 year tours, that will require you to re-enlist should you wish. If not then you are free to get out. As an officer you can resign at any time unless you are a USMA grad. I believe they have to serve so many years. You can serve past that as long as you are healthy and as long as you have progressed through the ranks. The Army has an up or out system. That means you have to make the next rank to stay in. Should you not then you are told your services are no longer required. If you do your job, stay out of trouble and remain competative you will have no problem. Should you have ill health after enlisting you can be discharged based on the needs of the Army. In those cases you are awarded a disability which entitles you to a life long compensation depending on the illness or injury. You also are entitled to vocational rehab which will allow you to go to college or learn a trade. The disabilities are expressed in percentages.

As far as being physicaly fit, that is up to you. Your are required to maintain a certain percentage of body fat, weight and pass the anual PT test. If you fail to look like a soldier physicaly or do not pass the test you are discharged. The military is full of health prevention and physicaly fitness opportunity. Most bases have a complete Gym that is free to you. The Marines and Army have many Gyms on post. Also, time is alloted you every day to engage in physical fitness activities. They have a host of nutritionists, Master Fitness Trainers and various other leaders to ensure you are fit to fight. So, there is no excuse to no meet the physical challenges your entire career while in the military. I am 50 and I retired after twenty years, ten years ago. I am very healthy, I ride my bicycle, I am a certified spinning instructor, I run, do a couple of triathalons a year, do a few marathons and I have no physical problems.

Go See a Recruiter for the Details but done sign anything. He can give you the information you need. Make sure if you are interested that everything promised is in your contract.

I had a wonderful twenty years and would not trade it for anything. They have given me my college, they gave me a career and best of all --- Every thirty days I get a sizeable pension plus 100% medical coverage at no cost for me and my family the rest of my life. Yeah, you do have risk your life on some days, but having retired and worked in a Steel Mill its no more dangerous.

Your toughest choice will be what service suits you. If you are not fully committed to living a drug free life, don't bother.

Answer 3

Right now if you go in before the age of 31 you can serve a full 30 years. 30 years is the limit. You can retire after 20 years of service. I have heard that Congress is looking to make it possible for people to serve 40 years, but I will believe that when I see it.

The only difference in services I see, is in the Coast Guard is that after 10 years they consider you a career person and you don't have to reenlist. The Coast Guard figures that if you have already done 10 years you might as well do 10 more and retire. You do however have to let them know if you want to get out. Say you do 12 years and then decide to get out, you have to let your Yeoman know you want to get out.

Answer 4

My husband is 55 and been in the Army for 35 years. He is planning on staying until he's 60 at this point. He is still going strong, and able to pass the PT test. He still runs, although at age 55 you can choose to walk and get the minimum 60 points for it. As long as your healthy, you can stay in until the maximum retirement age.

Answer 5

Mandatory Retirement in the Army is 62 (it was just raised from 55).

Most people Retire once they have served 20 years if they stay that long.

Answer 6

Generally 30 years for enlisted members.

You can stay longer, but you have to have permission form the Secretary of the Branch you are serving in.

Officers generally have to retire after 20 years, unless they are 0-6 Colonels or Naval Captains.

Thats why you see so many retired Lt. Colonels on TV as analyst.

Answer 7

My husband (Army) has been in 32 years, and is still going strong (he is due to re-up in 2009, so that would be 34 years). The mandatory retirement age is 62. (It just changed from 55).

Hope that helps.

Answer 8

Over 30 years, and after you retire, you can do the same job as a civilian contractor, and still receive your retirement pay.

Answer 9

As long as you like.. Just be sure to get the job you want or you won't be happy.. The Marines are a good choice. 6114 it's a helicopter mechanic and crew cheif. I am in the Army it's not bad. You have to apply yourself. If you don't try you won't make it past 4 years.. Go to military.com look around.

Answer 10

The older you get the less they expect from you on the PT tests and such. You get like 20mins to run just 2 miles in the army... trust me you'll be fine.