Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 7/20/2009

Question
My husband is 30 years old and has a Bachelor's Degree in Spanish and a minor in Multimedia Design. He is looking at joining the military, but is unsure as to which branch to focus on. He loves the Spanish language and tried teaching in the public school system for 2 years. Several of our friends have told him not to go in as an enlisted officer, but as an O-1. Recently an army recruiter told him his best option was to go in as an E-4.  He's looking at intelligence careers, or perhaps translation.  What are his best options.

Answer
Angela,
At his age his choices are somewhat limited.  Unfortunately he's too old for the active-duty Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines.  Below is a list of what he's eligible for and their age limits:
Navy 34
Air Force Reserve 34
Air National Guard 34
Army National Guard 35
Naval Reserves 39
Coast Guard Reserves 39
Army 42
Army Reserves 42
Your friends were correct, he should not join as an enlisted man.  Since he already has a Bachelor's Degree he should apply directly for Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Navy OCS, which would allow him to become an Officer.  What the Army recruiter told him is somewhat correct, but not entirely.  He CAN enter as an enlisted man at a paygrade of E-4 instead of an E-1 because of his college degree, but that's not his BEST option.  That would be like hiring a professional race car driver to be a school bus driver - overkill.  If your husband enlisted it means more $ to the recruiter.  If he applied for OCS the recruiter would have to turn your husband over to an officer recruiter and the officer recruiter would receive those $.

The Intelligence career field is a good choice.  Translation and simultaneous interpretation is usually handled by the U.S. State Department, not the individual Services.  Have your husband consult the Army OCS website or: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/armytrng/a/ocs.htm

After reading that, if he has any more questions have him send me a "Private" follow-up.
I wish you both well.
Colonel H