Expert: Rod Powers - 5/15/2007

Question
Dear Rod Powers,

First let me say, your "About" info site is remarkable and informative. I have read hundreds of it's pages and wished I had found it years ago to make an inform decision about the military as well as passing it along to others as I do now.
Now to business.....

I am just turned 36 about 2 weeks ago and have both a BS and MS degree, plus some other certificates etc. I want to know, if I could go into the army reserves as an Officer at this age. I am non-prior military. I was thinking about going to the Naval Reserves as enlisted, then see if I could transfer or do Army Reserves as an Officer (is that even possible?)

Also, I was thinking, to go enlisted Reserves with the option to go OCS after boot camp if I perform well. I have already taken the ASVAB (well today)GT 115, whatever that means. My medical was flawless and my background is clean and great credit too. I am also in good shape, since I use to be a trainer in MWR NAVY and keep my core conditioning optimal. I always knew one day I would go in, since I have been around military people for some time.

1.What are my options?
2.What route would you take?

Also, I am looking to ship to basic training ASAP.

Please help

Lou  

Answer
Hi Luchano,

A couple of years ago, Congress changed the law to change the maximum age of joining the U.S. Military from age 35 to age 49.

However, while this changed the *MAXIMUM* age to join the U.S. Military (either as officer or enlisted), Congress left it up to the individual services to set their own maximums.

Some of the branches changed their maximum ages, and other branches did not, under this new authorization by Congress.

See: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlstandards.htm

You're too old for an active duty Navy enlistment, but not too old for a Naval Reserve enlistment. You are currently too old for an active duty or Navy Reserve commission (maximum age for commission, age 34).

You *could* join the U.S. Naval Reserves as an enlisted member, and then later apply for an early discharge (conditional release) to enroll in Army OCS (Officer Candidate School), but why? First of all, the Navy Reserves could say, "no." (A "conditional release" would involve the Navy Reserves to agree to release you from the remainder of your reserve commitment, *if* you are accepted for OCS/OTS training in another branch....but why would you think the Naval Reserves would necessarily say, "yes.?" There's a chance your commander will simply say, "Our unit is undermanned in rating so-and-so, so we don't approve releasing this member early."

If you want to be, and plan to be a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, or Army Reserves, why go through the round-about way? Simply apply directly for the OCS option in the active duty Army, or Army Reserves. Why waste time enlisting first in the Navy Reserves?

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com