Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 1/17/2010

Question
My daughter just turned 30, has a Masters in Social Services Administration and 5 years of social services work experience in non-profits.  She wants a new direction in her career, but thinks she's "missed the boat" as far as military service goes.  She believes a person must be 18 to 29 years old to start a good career in the military.  Is she right?  

Answer
Honestly, your daughter is incorrect.  She can definitely start a rewarding career in the military at the age of 30.  The military requires just 20 years of active duty service if she wants to make it a career and retire with full healthcare and 50% of her paycheck for the rest of her life.  This would put her in her early 50s, which is not at all old.  The only limiting factor would be your daughter's health and ability to perform physical fitness activities.  The military requires that everyone continue keep physically fit through exercise and tests yearly through a career.  Being that she has a Masters' degree and practical experience, she would be an ideal candidate to talk to a recruiter and discuss specific plans for her.  She could go in as an officer with the potential for accelerated promotion.  The military also doesn't take age into account when assessing people for promotion, so she really isnt at any real disadvantage if she wants to consider joining.  I would advise her to check with a local recruiter and discuss options.