| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:48:02 AM | | I was thinking about joinning the military as a second career. I'm approching 40 but I'm in very good shape, trimmed, working out all the time and healthy. I've lost my career as a carpenter due to the economic downturn...and I got nothing to lose really. The army offers a regular paycheck and great benefits...and you might get to travel too (...and get killed! but at least I lived my life a little compares to the military men who are in they early 20's! LOL). Your thoughts? Am I crazy? | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:59:26 AM | | ^^ Do they take people beyond a certain age?? I really don't know, I'm just asking. I guess they probably would, if you're in shape and all that, and can pass the right physicals. But for instance I believe (not 100% sure but I think) municipal police departments don't hire people over like 38 or something like that. So maybe the military has a similar policy. Maybe they would put you in the reserves or something where you wouldn't wind up in the front lines (I think they really prefer 18-20 yr olds for that; because they're still much more able to be molded into what they want them to be)... | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:59:29 AM | I wouldn't say "crazy". But they may well turn you down. Or find some excuse to not accept you, or toss you ASAP if you found some legality loophole to get in with!
It would be a good idea though. Instead of "kids fighting old mens wars" it would be mature adults making the decision to go into the forces.
I really don't understand this huge phobia that people have about joining the forces and maybe getting killed. It takes an average of 10 personnel to keep one soldier in the field. If you can't fit into one of those categories to keep yourself well behind the front...welllll....
Here's a little fact that can scare the heck out of you. A convenience store clerk has a higher risk of being killed on the job than a cop does. Scary huh? They certainly are not paid near as much though!
Go for it...see if they do accept you. Good luck! | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 8:08:12 AM | | Dino...The age limit for army recruit has been raised to 42 years old in 2006. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 8:20:00 AM | | I would hope at 37, you would be able of making decisions...maybe you do need the military. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 8:37:13 AM | | Oh, I can make my own decisions> I was just hoping to get feedbacks from people in my situation. It's called exploring before making the right move. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 9:18:07 AM | | I think think the u.s gov. is thankful anytime they can get a new pawn no matter the age. good luck to you. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 9:32:46 AM |
I was thinking about joinning the military as a second career. I'm approching 40 but I'm in very good shape, trimmed, working out all the time and healthy. I've lost my career as a carpenter due to the economic downturn...and I got nothing to lose really. The army offers a regular paycheck and great benefits...and you might get to travel too (...and get killed! but at least I lived my life a little compares to the military men who are in they early 20's! LOL). Your thoughts? Am I crazy?
No, your are not crazy. Anyone who serves their country gets respect from me, no matter how old they are.
Good luck to you.. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 10:00:15 AM | Just from my experience in the military years ago, it always seemed the older 'new' soldiers always had a hard time with fitting in. Going in the military even in your late 20s is tough because everyone is so much younger when you first join, and all the people your own age are much higher in rank. Generally speaking, there is not that much social intermingling in the military when there is a significant rank difference.
How would you react being a mature, experienced adult having to report to some 21 year old 'kid' whose sole experience in life is flipping burgers and the military? If you live in the barracks can you handle living with people half your age? I know for myself that teenagers and young adults get on my freaking nerves, I can't imagine having one as a boss now or living with them in a semi-dorm setting. Can you handle an environment that is a wasteland of intelligent conversation? I am not bashing the military, just the age and experience differences.
I enjoyed the military a good deal and it is an experience I would recommend to others (well maybe not now since I disagree with Iraq, but that's a whole other topic...), but going in at your age is going to present a whole host of mental/social issues that most recruits would never deal with. The physical activity might not be an issue, but how will you react to someone literally half your age and still wet behind the ears having power over you?
I was in the army, but if I were serious about a new stint now, I would seriously look into the Navy or Coast Guard. If you are serious, good luck. But I think your biggest issue will be how you fit into the social enviroment. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 10:35:50 AM | Thanks Whothehell...I do appreciate your input.
You know, I've been a misfit most of my life. I'm used to be singled-out...I am an immigrant living in the states for 16 years now. Serving in the army isnt about me,me,me...it's about giving back to society. Getting orders from a younger man isnt a big deal for me, we are all getting older so things like this will happen soon or later, no matter what you do for a living.
I will see a recruiter this afternoon, I will keep you updated. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 10:41:43 AM | | There was recently a story in the news about a man around your age in Wisconsin (?) that joined the army in order to get health insurance for his wife with cancer. I am pretty sure he was laid off and he needed coverage to save her life. He did a lot of physical training to get himself ready but they took him, no problem. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 11:19:08 AM |
Serving in the army isnt about me,me,me...it's about giving back to society. Getting orders from a younger man isnt a big deal for me, we are all getting older so things like this will happen soon or later, no matter what you do for a living.
I will see a recruiter this afternoon, I will keep you updated.
Yes go for it. At 60 you will have a retirement and your benefits. If I was your age I would do it again. I loved my time in the military. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 11:27:15 AM | | I re joined at 42 but I had 10 years of active duty time in the 80s and 90s. Depends on why you want to join. I like guns and blowing sh!t up and just missed the Army lifestyle and camaraderie that you don't find in the civilian world.. You will have to get used to taking orders from people that are allot younger than you. I already had the rank when when I went back in so this was not a problem. Ask yourself what you want out of it and at 40 your body will take a serious beating no matter what kind of shape you are in. Most people in the Army at 40 are at or near the end of their careers. You will find a great social divide with your peers as people your age will out rank you and not generally hang around you. So you will be left to find your own social circle or hang with people that are way younger. Had allot of older lower ranking guys that joined when the age limit was raised and they had a very hard time physically in Iraq. You will get deployed. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 11:31:18 AM | I think you should Be All You Can Be!
But if they think you are too old, have too many profiles, whatever... there is now some kind of civilian Guard weekend-warrior group (here in Texas & I believe national).
I have heard of them through the grapevine and can get you in touch with a recruiter I know. I heard that age and health are not as much an issue.... they will find you a place / job.
Surely they need full time personnel.
Basically they rally when the National Guard in your area is deployed.
I understand there is payment when the troops respond and from what I heard it is pretty good; more than I make on a regular payday. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 12:40:49 PM | OP
Forty is not that old, especially if you are fit and healthy. I was drafted at 18, and, in boot camp, there was a man in his late 30s or so (hard to tell), who had been in the Army before, had left, and then decided that he wanted back in. He put a lot of us to shame on the physical training, and, eventually, he served the role of "advisor" and "father figure" to some of the dudes. I was prone to listen more closely to his advice, even over the doo doo that those fresh out of Officer Candidate school offered.
So, yeah, go for it! And thank you for serving the U. S. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 2:48:22 PM |
Am I crazy?
Not at all. You will be given opportunities to train for a new career if you decide to leave the army. You will also be able to look forward to medical benefits and a pension if you serve long enough.
Getting orders from a younger man isnt a big deal for me, we are all getting older so things like this will happen soon or later, no matter what you do for a living.
You’re so right. Any one re-entering the work arena can expect this as well. As for being around a lot of younger persons that may actually be a positive.
Just recently, on a documentary about longevity, a 94 year old surgeon was asked his secret for a fulfilling long life - his reply, “Don’t hang around old people”. LOL
Good luck to you; I’m certain you will do great in the armed services. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 3:12:22 PM | yea man join up....save some young man from going and shamefully leaving his family behind
Much respect | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 3:56:30 PM | | If it matters to you what you would be helping get done by joining the army, look at what the army is doing and see if those goals match your morality and ethics. The only problem I'd think of to consider is the one where you join up, find out what all is going on, and decide you don't want to be a part of it. Talking with veterans, reading about US foreign policy and researching the countries currently under occupation would provide information for that. It's your call, of course. Some people end up conflicted because they decide the mission is misguided and the policies are basically evil. If they had done some research before joining they would have chosen not to enlist. Other people are fine with it and are glad they joined. The thing is, look ahead because one day it could become important to understand the reality as well as the patriotic hype. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 5:57:17 PM |
alli oop your comment of >>> I think think the u.s gov. is thankful anytime they can get a new pawn no matter the age. good luck to you.
That kinda tells people specially me a man who served proudly in the military mainly the Army and who has three brothers / sister & Aunt who retired from the Army that you have very little respect for the military. And with the comment no matter what you say will not convice me other wise because everyone else gave on here gave much respect for him and his choice in going in. And if he does decide to go in he can maybe do his trade there in the army because they train and teach just about anything today. So if he goes in you should say thats great and wish him all the best because if it was not for people of the military and thats all branches we would problally not have the freedom we have now. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/3/2009 7:56:02 PM |
alli oop your comment of >>> I think think the u.s gov. is thankful anytime they can get a new pawn no matter the age. good luck to you.
That kinda tells people specially me a man who served proudly in the military mainly the Army and who has three brothers / sister & Aunt who retired from the Army that you have very little respect for the military.
I agree. Don’t some persons realize that in addition to the gentlemen (OP) there are scores of very well-educated men that have many other choices yet choose the military. They, and the OP, are not merely pawns but men with a great deal to offer any career. Not just anyone gets into West Point or Annapolis. These academies are more difficult to get into than most Ivy League colleges.
I’m always disheartened when encountering those who do not appreciate the military. We have the world’s most elite forces. The fact that these men and women are all volunteers makes then even more admirable. | |
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| Join the army at 40
Posted: 11/4/2009 8:25:51 AM | Thanks everyone for the good words. I went to see a recruiter yesterday and everything went ok. If I join, I might take advantage of the G.I Bill free college tution and get a degree in something while serving. He gave me a mini ASVAB test and I passed it ok...He said the result wasnt bad for someone whos been out of High School for 23 years LOL. I'm taking a few days to think about all this...I'll keep you all updated. | |
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