Expert: Matt - 9/4/2009

Question
Purpose: become a Marine Officer

Stats & Assets:

-Prior enlisted, JFL1-RE3P codes. (broken tibias, right out of boot)
-Can obtain multiple clean bills of health from several Ortho Docs.
-PFT & CFT should not be an issue.
-Usually qual in the 236 range with the A2.
-I have an AA & BA in Political Science (GPA nothing to write home about).
-Have held 4 Professional Financial licenses
-ASVAB score of 85 (if memory serves me)
-LSAT scores in the 155-161 range

Challenges:  I'll be 36 by end of '09.  Can't locate the PEB findings in my records.  I did find the VA's assessment of what the PEB findings were.  Less than 10% in each leg.

Questions;
Age & health waiver possible?
Are waivers advisable?--as I've heard instructors have ways to make certain I will not make it, if they do not approve of me being there.
Is going Navy Officer and moving laterally back to the Corps possible, likely, advisable?
Is going Army or Air Force Officer and making a lateral move more advisable than Navy?
If my goal is to retain my self-respect, pride in what I do, and be part of at least a little action--should I be looking towards Dept of Homeland Sec'y / CIA / Intel / or some other Fed agency?
What's your overall assessment & recc for me?

Lots of unknowns, save for my dedication to do this.  I'm willing to take any position the Corps will offer.  I've spent every single day since I was discharged, regretting not fighting harder to stay in.  Sometimes, 18 year old minds don't make such great life decisions.  The fact that I marched across that parade deck and graduated, means nothing to me, b/c I never saw the fleet.  Other Marines try to tell me differently, but it matters not.  No professional accomplishment or paycheck ever made a dent in the hole that's still in me.  I have to do something.  

Any assistance and/or guidance is very much appreciated.
Semper Fi.

Answer
Hi Barton,

Thank you for the question and all the info regarding your situation. I will be honest, your age (36) is the main factor working against you. To the best of my knowledge 32 is the cutoff for marine officers. However, go to www.marineofficer.com and get in touch with your local OSO (officer selection officer) and ask him some of these questions, he will be able to better direct you. As for the lat moves, those arent likely to lead you back to the corps, its not the kind of thing you can really plan for to be honest. As for the fed jobs, those might very well be your best bet since your age could disqualify you from active military service, if you truly want to serve then I would reccommend looking down that avenue. Best of luck.