Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am 28 years old and have been recently denied joining the air force because of my age. i took the asvab and got a qualifying score, and i also submitted every document they asked for, including character reference letters. Is there any other way around this, is it still possible to join if i tried again or is the denial final?

ANSWER: Bo,
Are you limiting yourself to just the AF?  If so unfortunately, 27 is the age limit for the Air Force and the Coast Guard.

Ask your AF Recruiter about the possibility of a waiver.  You're only one year above the limit, and waivers are possible.  It's a good sign that the AF Recruiter even sent you to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a multiple-aptitude test, knowing you were over the age limit.  He probably wanted to ensure you were qualified before he wasted his time trying to get you a waiver.  If he won't work with you, go to another AF Recruiter in a nearby town.  Each recruiter has different quotas for recruitment, so one that has not yet met his quota may bend-over backwards to help you enlist.

Also, you're within the age limits of the other services if you're interested.  Their age limits are as follows:
Marines 28
Marine Corps Reserve 29
Air Force Reserve 34
Navy 34
Naval Reserves 39
Army 42
Army Reserves 42

Having spent 30 years in the Air Force and knowing what I know now, I'd say the Navy is my second pick of the services.
Best of luck in whatever you decide and I appreciate your willingness to serve your country in uniform.
Don't give up hope!
Colonel H



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: i forgot to mention that my recruiter had submitted a waiver and it was denied. i also called a different recruiter and he told me that the air force stopped taking waivers as of 2009. the thing is that i had started the process in august of 2008. is there any one else my recruiter could send the waiver to for a better shot if i tried again, or does it go the hands of the same person that denied me? also, if i joined the air national guard, can i switch to active air force even though i am over the age?

Answer
Bo,
Yes, your waiver goes to the same person.  You're right about the AF stopping age waivers, I just found that out today myself.  Trying to go from AFR/ANG to active is very difficult.

Looks like your best bet is to try another Service.  There's not really a "bad" choice.  Although I'm AF, I have great respect for the other Services.  I've worked with all of them and made some great life-long friends in other Services.
Please consider it.
Best of Luck,
Colonel H