Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 1/20/2009

Question
Listening to Bush's farewell address gave me a question that I wonder if you can answer. Bush talked about Bill Krissoff, the surgeon from CA, who got a waiver to be in the military even though he was 18 yrs over the age limit. The questions: How can I request an age waiver? Where could I apply for the waiver, or how do I get started with that?
A bit about me: I am 54. I went to Army ROTC and was commissioned as a 2LT when I graduated. I went on to law school so I spent 9 years in the Army Reserves. I served in Utah where the climate was really bad for a female officer and so I never ended up serving full time because of the commanding officers I had. I wonder if there is any way a person like me could get to serve full time at my age.
Thanks for considering the question.

Answer
Dear Pearl --

One way to get onto active duty is by re-entering the reserves, and then get asking to be activated.  You may be hampered by not having sufficient time left to have served 20 years by the time you turn 62.  It is possible but not guaranteed that this time limit could be waived.

If you are a practicing lawyer, certified by your state board, you could possibly get a waiver to serve in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) corps.  You would want to contact the JAG recruiters in Charlottesville Virginia.  This would be a good option because you will get accelerated promotions based on your legal experience external to the military.

The surgeon got a waiver, despite his age, because we have such a shortage of surgeons in the military right now.  People getting waivers for such an age deviation must enter with skills required by the military and significant civilian experience and credentials.

Please write back, if you have additional questions, or need more information.  Good luck achieving your goal.