Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/20/2009

Question
hello.  I have no previous experience with the military and am 49 years old and am wondering if there could be opportunities for me in the services in Photography/art related fields and if it is possible to obtain direct commission as an officer in my circumstances.  I have a bachelors degree in accounting/finance and a second bachelors degree in fine art photography.  I also have masters degree in fine art photography, have instructed photography at the University level for eight years, and am widely exhibited, published and collected.  Any advice would be appreciated

Answer
Dear Peter --

Unfortunately you are too old to join the military for the first time.  For an initial enlistment you must be no older than 42.

If you had an advanced professional degree such as medicine, divinity or law, and were recognized as an expert in your field, there is a possibility of getting a waiver for your age.  Your advanced degree in fine arts and your skills in photography are unlikely to warrant a direct commission or a waiver for your age.  To get either of those you would have to have advanced skills in a field in which the service cannot recruit sufficient expertise.  Rarely is a public affairs skill -- like photography -- a field where the military cannot fulfill its recruiting requirements.

There is a possibility of working as a Department of Defense Civilian public affairs specialist, or graphic arts specialist.  If you look on the USA Jobs website, you can find which opportunities are open around the world.

Good luck to you.