Expert: Howard Lorenz - 11/30/2007

Question
QUESTION: I am 35, I'll be 36 in May, I want to join the reserve, preferably Navy. However, am I too old? Would it be a hardship for my wife (no kids)? Would it be a dismissal worthy disruption for my current employer?
I'm in good shape and I have a position of some authority in the civilian world (Manager of Communications for a non-profit).
Mentally, I was too rebellious in my teens and 20's to be a good soldier/sailor. But now, as I'm getting older, there are experiences and opportunities that I've missed and if I still have the chance to do them I want to try. The military has been something that I've kicked myself for not looking in to more thoroughly when I was younger.
I really do believe there's a duty for people to serve their country. I know it's a romanticized point-of-view, but in this day and age it seems like there are a lot more people ready to condemn public service that to support it. I want to support it by becoming a part of it.
Considering my background, I think I would be a good Public Affairs officer or investigator.



ANSWER: Hi Mike,

The answer to your question is NO!! You are actually still young enough to go active duty if you wished. The reserve for most of the services will take those into their 40's.

As for your employer, there is a federal law that mandates that employers have to allow you to attend your drill weekends. If it is something that you feel will cause some tension, talk with your employer. Most employers are for their employees to serve, then there are some that are not. There is a lot of soul searching that has to be done as well. You have to ask your self is my entering the reserves going to be worth the disruption in "Normal life" for my family and the employer. Employers cannot fire you because joined the reserves. the only thing that they have to do is keep you employed at the same pay rate as what your were when you left. I would definitely talk with the boss and let him know that you are thinking about doing this. Most folks jsut srring the reserves on thier employer, its a better business practice to keep the boss in the loop.
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If you are planning on getting into the reserves, now would be the time to do it, as we guys get older its harder to keep up with the youngsters that are taking over. These guys will run circles around me now!!

If it something that you want to experience, you can sign up for 4 years. Then if you wanted to continue, you still have that option. When you decide to go shopping, make sure that you shop all the services, there may be something that you find in one that you didnt find in another. Do something that you will find exciting, there are those who find them selves doing the same job in the military as they do in the civillian world and then its just another boring job, DO SOMETHING DIFERENT!!

Have fun with it, its rewarding. Excellent opprotunity for travel. I dont think that you can go wrong!!

Let me know what you decide...

HW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Howard, thank you very much for your answer. It was very helpful. As a follow-up can you let me know what the likelihood of a direct commission would be, particularly for the Navy or Coast Guard? Those are the services I'm leaning towards. I ask, not because I have an aversion to protracted basic or officer training, but I suspect that going through either or both could create some serious employment issues for me. I'm working on a Master's in public relations at the moment, which is why I think Public Affairs might be my best intro in the service.

Thank you,
Mike


ANSWER: Hi Mike, Thanks for the follow up. The best advise that I can give is this. Only you know the relationship with your employer. If you have a good relationship with your employer, then ASK the hard questions. Tell them what you are thinking and get the info straight out of the "Horses Mouth". If your employer has reservations about you going into a branch of service, they will let you know. They may not come right out and say it, but the key signs will be there. Now it is VERY illegal for an employer to fire you for joining the service, but they have the options of calling it something else to protect them selves. Had this happen to me several times.

What I would do first is complete your masters. The commissioning process will probably be grater if not the same, but you need to also get with the service and see if they have the need to the Public affairs officers position available for you to get. To be quite hones, if I had the credentials you do, my job wouldnt be a concern for me. You should be able to get a good job anywhere. Some reserve postions are "Fulltime" and pay the same bennies that we active duty folks get. Might look into thise as well.

I hope that this helps you more. I believe that you know already what your decision is going to be. Its just being satisfied with the answer that we give ourselves that gives us trouble. If you want the military to be in your life, then you have to be ready to take the consequenses for the decision....even if it means making a few job changes..

HW

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Just as an update, I wanted to let you know I have spoken to a Navy recruiter, two in fact. I was switched to a recruiter who has more knowledge of reserve recruiting. Unfortunately, my new recruiter is concerned that with so few PAO positions open for '08, there's only eight in the east region, I may not have a good chance of filling one of those spots, even with 11 years of journalism and communications experience. He suggesting I go in as a Human Resources officer if PAO can't be done. He feels I can always switch once I'm in and an officer. I'm not inclined to agree with him. I've asked him to research other alternative opportunities that would utilize my analytical, interpersonal and versatile skill sets. Do you have any suggestions how we should proceed?

Also, considering my age, civilian work history and management experience would I be out of line to ask to enter at a higher rate? Say as an 0-2? It's not for vanity reasons, but I would like my civilian and military lives to match up as closely as possible.  

Thank you,
Mike


Answer
Mike,

I can honestly tell you that the recruiter is on the right track with this one, you can do more on the "Inside" of the fence than  you can on the outside. The reserves is not as stringent as the Active duty section as far as lateral transfers from one career field to the other. Is there a risk that you will be there for a while, oh yes as in any service they will use you where they need you. As an officer though you have better chances of moving around with in the reserves than the enlisted do. Human Resources is actually a good job to get, I was as you know a recruiter and my HR skills are the most valuable asset that I have gotten out of my 19 year career. I plan on Banking on those skills. But if you added those skills to what you have already....Makes YOU more valuable as an employee for what ever company you are employed by.

When I would get folks that I put in the Air Force that wanted to do the same thing that they were previously doing I would try to have them do something else, because underneath they were board of doing what they were doing to begin with...or they would have never come into my office.....So I believe that deep down there is something that drives you to military service...obviously or we wouldn't be having this session, so knowing that all the jobs in the DOD pay the same based on rank and time in service, then I say take a chance, you may like it. As an officer you can resign you commission at anytime and bail if that's what you choose ...unless you receive money for signing, then you will be held to a term.

Asking for a higher rate....Not likely, but it doesn't hurt to ask....each service does things different as far starting folks out at what rank, ask...the worse they can tell you is no....right?

Mike I believe that what ever you get into, rather its a journalism role or HR...With the skill sets that you posses I am certain that you will use those talents and make them work to your advantage in any career you get into. From expierence I can tell you that it is sometimes a breath of fresh air to take and do your weekends NOT doing what you generally do as employment...This is the reason most join the reserves, other than service to the country.

I hope that I have shed a little more light and I wish you the best of luck in what ever you decide...

HW