Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/5/2009

Question
I'm interested in enlisting with the United States Air Force..  I've never served in the military and I'm currently 31yrs old.  I'm in good physical condition, I've lived in Japan for the past 6yrs as a Missionary and I have an Associates Degree.  Is there any possibility I could enlist for active duty with the USAF?
If not, could I enlist into the Air Force Reserve and then go into active duty?

Answer
Ariel,
Are you limiting yourself to just the AF?  If so unfortunately, 27 is the age limit for the Air Force and also the Coast Guard, 28 for the Marines and 29 for the Marine Corps Reserve.

You're within the age limits of some of the other Services if you're interested.  Their age limits are as follows:
Navy 34
Naval Reserves 39
Army 42
Army Reserves 42

Also, the Air Force Reserve accepts recruits up to age 34.

You'll find that all branches of the Military are basically alike.  They just have different missions.  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, but you really can't go wrong in any of them.

As for transferring from the Reserve forces to an active duty component, the short answer is no.  About the only way for that to happen is when a Reservist earns a Bachelor's Degree and wants to become an officer in the same branch of Service that he currently is in, for example an airman in the AF Reserves wants to become an officer in the active-duty Air Force.  In that case, the airman gets an approved discharge for the purpose of attending Officer Training School (OTS)and upon graduation will enter the active-duty Air Force.

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