Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/3/2009

Question
I asked a question on commissioning in the Air Force the reply was as follows:

"Tony,
How old are you now?  If you aren't way over 35 you stand a good chance of getting a waiver.  I assume you already have a Bachelor's degree?  Your length of prior service is on your side.  For every year of enlisted time you served the minimum age goes up one year. So, 27 + 13 =40.  If you aren't over 40 yet you're in, assuming you meet all the other qualifications.
Talk to a recruiter NOW, before you go over the age limit.
Thank you for your service and for wanting to continue in it.
Good Luck,
Colonel H"

The Answers are that I am 37 and I do have a bachelors of science.  However I went and talked to the recruiter and the age exception was only for enlisted is what he told me.  I need to better understand the exception to policy to get support from the recruiter.  I hope with this information I can then work with my local recruiter to get back to the Air Force.  Thank for the information.


Answer
You need to talk to an OFFICER ACCESSIONS recruiter, not one of the enlisted accessions folks you seen in an office. Most of the time they dont even take the time to call an OA ric to get the most current information. YOu can go online and request an OA guy to call you... heres the website:

http://www.airforce.com/opportunities/officer/careers/

on this site you can talk to a recruiter that is specialized to this area...


Now if perhaps you can not go that route, you may of course explore other avenues with other branches, or you can go enlisted for 1 short term, once you are in long enough to get 1 enlisted EPR or enlisted performance report, you may after that point apply to OTS. Having your foot in the door is worth the world. You can do way more on the inside!!

But like the Col. said, You dont have much time left for active duty. You are still good for the reserves though!

Good Luck in you endeavors,

HW