Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 4/22/2008

Question
I'm 47 Yr Old . I'm in good physical shape. I was in  the army as enlisted for three years . Water purification specialist and I was in the active Air National guard for six years.. Security Police.  I'm an electrical engineer and I work as a math teacher at the local High School. I'm divorced my son is 23 in the Navy and my daughter is 16 she lives with her mother. I do not have any Chronic diseases of any kind. You think I may have a chance to join the military again as an officer. I like the military a lot better than civilian jobs and I know i can do a good job in there. What branch you think will gave me the best opportunity.

Answer
Dear Jose --

You have the best chance of returning to the service via the Army.

Currently the Army is accepting non-prior service folks up to 42 years old.  

Prior service folks can return as long as their age is less than the current maximum enlistment age plus their prior service time.  So in your case, you have 3 years of prior service Army.  Then, if all your Air National Guard time counts as active, you have 6 more active years.  So you have 9 years prior service, plus 42 year old, max age, means you can return to service up to 51 years old.

This works only if all your Air National Guard years are active years.

I wish you the best of luck.  Thank you for your past service.