Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/5/2008

Question
I'm currently 25 years old, finishing up my M.S. in Engineering and have toyed with the idea of joining either the Marine Corps or Army for several years now.  I begin work at ExxonMobil in August and plan on doing about 2-3 years with them before I make any moves but would seriously consider OCS at that point.  As I understand it the age requirements of the Marine/Army OCS programs are 27,29 respectively,  would a age waiver be a problem if I was around 30 years old?

Answer
Dear Matthew -

Before the war, the maximum age at which you could receive your commission (with no prior enlisted service) was 25 years.  Now that age is 30 years.  You must begin your training such that you will not have reached your 31st birthday by the time you receive your commission.  

An alternative to working now and waiting a few years to join the military, is to join the Army or Marine Corps reserves.  You could enlist with an OCS rider (guarantee that you get a billet at OCS if you perform well in basic training), and not have to worry about the maximum age restriction.

You could also see if either service would give you a direct commission based on your advanced degree.  Unfortunately, that option is unlikely, since you do not have a medical or law degree.  However, direct commission is an optional means for bringing someone with exceptional skills into the service, so it doesn't hurt to ask.

The problem with joining the reserves now, is that call-up onto active duty is highly likely.  Employers are supposed to hold your job or an equivalent job for you when you return from your deployment, but at times getting your job back is awkward.

I wish you the best of luck.  Thank you for considering military service.