[F30lolz]

I am 39 years old and just did a online chat with a recruiter. IIRC I must enlist before my 40th (07/25/18) so I have some time to consider. I am too old to enlist as an officer, however, I was told that I would start off at E-3 pay grade because I have a four year degree. I plan on speaking to a recruiter in person to get more answers. I would like some advise from former/current fly boys.

Here is my rundown:

Married with a son (10) and stepdaughter (18) so they would come along with me wherever I'm based at after boot camp.

Wife is in the medical field so she would be able to find work or go back into retail if worse comes to worst.

My eyesight sucks. Without my contacts/eyeglass 20/100 (lol) so I don't think being a pilot would work? Not sure what else I would like, maybe control center/air traffic control?

I know staying on base is free housing and if I chose to stay off base I would get an allowance, along with free healthcare and free college for everyone which is attractive.

I'm currently an accountant for a investment firm and I'm just bored with the 9-5 desk job.

Thoughts/opinions both negative and positive are encouraged.

[MadDog]

I retired from the Air Force at the age of 42, after serving almost 23 years.

An E-3 doesn't earn very much money - $1,885.80 per month, and you are on the bottom of the list for base housing.

If you decide to enlist, make sure you have a guaranteed career field before enlisting. You don't want to wind up being a cook or security police.

[SakhirM4]

I also retired from the Air Force after 21 years. I was an officer and flew F4 Phantoms. Your eyesight is not an issue because you have to be an officer to be a pilot. As you said, you are too old to be an officer and too old to enter pilot training. As much as I loved the Air Force life, I really don't think you are in the best position to start an Air Force career. If you really want to do it, maybe you should look at joining the Air Force reserve or the Air National Guard. You could then keep you current job and spice it up with military service.

[Mingwan]

At your age, I recommend that you don't enlist.

Also don't recommend Guard or Reserve because I think you'll feel like you're 'playing' military on the weekends and not get the full experience.

[Delta0311]

Not trying to be a dick but you are too old.

Not sure what Air Force E3 is but in the USMC that is a Lance corporal. This is a rank you attain at around age 20. So get ready to take a lot of shit form 20 something year olds that out rank you, this includes the officers. And in the USMC E1 to E3 are pretty much professional polishers. Marine Corps and women love shiny shit for some reason. Brasso will be your bff to the point where you will probably name your next son after it.

[Fundguy1]

If you can't be an officer I'd advise against it. You may want to consider law enforcement. With your accounting you may get a cherry investigation job. For example, fbi only hires marine accountants mostly.

[c1pher]

I’m retired USN after 24 years. Military is a young person’s game. I would not want to start at 40. Plus, at your age, you will be working for a bunch of chuckleheads who know much less than you (in life experience and probably common sense) and you probably won’t enjoy the experience. Culturally speaking, if you are a traditionalist, expect to have your values and mores tested at almost every turn since the concept of social experimentation on the military is a well known hobby for politicians. It’s much easier when you’re young because you are a bit more malleable and impressionable. At 40, you’re more set in your ways.

My advice if you’re looking for something more exciting is start looking for a better accounting job.

[wdb]

Mafia accountant?

[kamber]

Originally Posted by MGM135is

I’m retired USN after 24 years. Military is a young person’s game. I would not want to start at 40. Plus, at your age, you will be working for a bunch of chuckleheads who know much less than you (in life experience and probably common sense) and you probably won’t enjoy the experience. Culturally speaking, if you are a traditionalist, expect to have your values and mores tested at almost every turn since the concept of social experimentation on the military is a well known hobby for politicians. It’s much easier when you’re young because you are a bit more malleable and impressionable. At 40, you’re more set in your ways.

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

As much as I loved the Air Force life, I really don't think you are in the best position to start an Air Force career. If you really want to do it, maybe you should look at joining the Air Force reserve or the Air National Guard. You could then keep you current job and spice it up with military service.

OP, I highly suggest you heed the advice given by the above two gentlemen; I could not echo their sentiments more.

Said plainly, there is an extremely high likelyhood of you coming to regret your decision should you choose to enter enlisted military service at this point in your life.

For reference, I'm an active duty Army E-6 serving in a SOF capacity; as a JTAC I work with Air Force guys quite frequently (both pilots and enlisted personnel alike) and from my perspective, the drawbacks of being an E-3 at age 40+ would hold true regardless of which branch you decide to join. You also mentioned Air Traffic Control, etc.; know that while the maximum age to select Air Traffic Control as your job appears to be 39, you are ineligible to enter any of the Special Operations specific pipelines for becoming a CCT, TACP, etc. due to your age, so don't let your recruiter bait you with any allures of going to an Air Force Special Tactics unit or conducting Air Traffic Control in a Special Operations capacity. Not sure if that was something you were considering to begin with, but just in-case.

Lastly, thank you for your genuine interest in serving our nation. Goodluck to you in your future endeavors, sir!

[GuidoK]

My guess is if you're almost 40 and have a job in accountancy and no other special skills, when you enlist, you'll probably end up in the field of military accountancy.

My advice, if you're bored with your current job, start your own accountancy firm.
Still an accountant, but also entrepreneur

And earning <$2k/month when you're 40.... then you're doing it wrong is my opinion.

Still want the militairy connection? Hire yourself to the army as an accountancy specialist once you have your own firm.
From experience I know that the militairy can be an excellent customer if you have something special/unique to offer

[c1pher]

You could also apply to be a civil servant.

[c1pher]

And don’t get me wrong, I loved being in the military and serving my country. No regrets whatsoever and very proud of my service. I’ve been all over and have seen many parts of the world. It really gives you a deeper appreciation for how wonderful our country is.

I started as an E1and ended up as an O4. You just get to a point where they keep asking more and if you’re willing to give it, they will take it. You reach a threshold and it’s time to go. I decided to leave young enough to start a second career while I still have my faculties and most of my health. My knees, back and really my joints are shot. I have skin condition due to environmental exposure, tinnitus like a bitch too.

[1MOREMOD]

Thought you had a ho train at work, you been watching too many action movies bro. Just ask your wife to kick you in the nuts daily instead.

[1smokehouse]

I would also suggest going civil service as opposed to enlisting. I did 24 years in the Air Force and 5 years so far as a GS.

I wouldn't want to think what it would be like to start at the bottom @ 40 years old as an E-3 (Airman first class). Yes, the benefits are nice, but that's a big price to pay to get them.

If you choose to apply for civil service, don't let the degree requirements in USA Jobs scare you off. You can use experience instead. Just have to make sure your resume supports the job duties.

Wishing you the best in your decision.

[TrevorM3]

so the answer is no, OP. sowwy

[Kolyan2k]

Don't like desk job, try to start your own business

[WingZeroX5]

You can't enlist as an officer, you have to go through a commissioning source: USAFA, ROTC, OTS

You're too old to go as an officer, period. Even if you can go as enlisted, you're entering when the majority are retiring at that age.

An E-3, you're an airman 1st class, two ranks below an NCO. It's not worth it at your position.

I'm an AFROTC instructor at one of the detachments...where were you 10 years ago??

[///3dkn]

haha same birthday at me!

But I'm 34 and have been in the Army for 15 years. I'm looking at retiring from the Military in about 5 years.

I would have to agree with everyone above. Don't do it, you'll have a bunch of youngsters who outrank who will tell you what to do and give you shit for being older. But thats just the way it is. If you do enlist, I hope you have thick skin because you won't hear the end of it. If you're really good at your job then you can just tell them to fuck off.

I suggest becoming you're own boss at your own firm or maybe ask for a raise or for more responsibility at your current job.

Good luck.

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

free college for everyone which is attractive.

I just wanted to clear this up before you even think about free college for everyone.

You must be on active duty and served a certain number of months before even the GI-Bill is remotely available to you at a decent percentage rate...

Then, let's say you reached 100% of your eligibility, and you want your kids to have a paid college education and decide to TRANSFER your benefits. Well, think twice because now you will owe a total of 10 years.

Assuming you do the normal 4, reached 100% eligibility, transfer benefits. The minute you hit the button to apply for T.E.B on milconnect, you will owe automatically another 6 until. Something to that extent, I don't recall the details. I just transferred mine to my spouse so I'm pretty familiar with the process.

You're going to be around a TSgt at the age of 50, and that's if you passed the test.

[styler69]

in military for 15 yrs. if they want you they will bend the rules and find a way to take you as an officer. being college educated and your age are going to combine for a bad experience unless your only goal is to serve your country. by the way, the military is mostly boring - its 80% waiting. don't mean to rain on your parade.

[Questofthetune]

I did ARMY but similarities exist- DO NOT go in as enlisted if you can go in commissioned. You don't want to be a responsible adult dealing with the garbage boot fuck privates come up with. Not to mention those immature idiots may be over you chain of command wise. The pay difference and professionalism in the OC is something a responsible adult such as yourself will appreciate.

(I joined at 20 as a stupid enlisted private. I love my barracks rat buddies but family and career oriented people should shoot for a commission.)

[F30lolz]

Very solid advice guys as I'm just trying to figure out something that would be best for my family and myself. At age 18 I was talking to a recruiter and was close to joining the Army but never followed up on that. Seems like a stretch to join now when most are retiring at my age and I couldn't even be an officer.

I thought about changing careers at least so we'll see what the future holds. Viewing the comments here has given me a different perspective which has made me think twice. No problem in that as I wanted honest/great advice.