OT: Who here is in the military? Question about "part time" joining.

[PickleHead]

I'm an older guy (mid 30s) and have ALWAYS wanted to be in the military. I'm thinking about joining a reserve or guard unit and would appreciate some opinions. I've narrowed it down to Coast Guard Reserve or Air National Guard. I have a job and family, but have always wanted to join the military.

What say you?

 

[PickleHead]

I'm an older guy (mid 30s) and have ALWAYS wanted to be in the military. I'm thinking about joining a reserve or guard unit and would appreciate some opinions. I've narrowed it down to Coast Guard Reserve or Air National Guard. I have a job and family, but have always wanted to join the military.

What say you?

 

[Jerry Lawler.sixpack]

I spent 8 years in the Army Guard and got out around 5 yrs ago.

It really comes down to what you want out of it. Are you looking for a military job that transfers into civilian employment? Do you care how far you will have to drive for drill each month? What kind of education benefits are important to you?

 

[PickleHead]

I've already gotten my degree from MSU, so not looking for education benefits. Basically, I've just always wanted to serve my country. I like the idea of doing it "part time." I also wouldn't mind adding a little adventure to my life...once a month sounds about right.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

Make sure you're in good shape. Also, go to boot Camp during the Fall or early Winter. If you go during the Summer, you'll be going into Boot Camp with a bunch of idiot High School grads. If you go in the Fall, it's a bunch of guys like you who are there to serve their country and the Drill Sergeants won't be as mean to you (although they'll be tough...always take what a Drill Sergeant takes seriously, never take it personally). <div id="isChromeWebToolbarDiv" style="display:none"></div><div>
</div><div>You work on yourpush-ups, sit-ups (crunchies, leg lifts, etc.), and 2 mile run (run wind sprints to improve your speed, and run 3 miles to increase your endurance).</div><div>
</div><div>You do all this, you should be all right.</div>

 

[Jerry Lawler.sixpack]

You should seriously consider the Air Guard then. I would talk to the recruiter about a job with flight status (i.e. flight medic). You could travel quite a bit and (since pilots like to be pampered) you won't stay in shabby hotels.

 

[AFDawg]

I spent five years on active duty in the AF and would do it again 100 times out of 100.<div>
</div><div>All the above advice is good. I would add that you might look into officer programs since you already have your degree. My understanding is that guard and reserve spots have become harder to come by thanks to the reduction in officer positions on active duty, but it's still worth looking. </div><div>
</div><div>In addition to Jerry Lawler's flight medic idea--look into doing aircraft maintenance (crew chiefs regularly go out with crews) or being a loadmaster or boom operator if you'd like to travel. All that travel, of course, doesn't necessarily happen on a weekend--which may or may not be an issue with your civilian job.</div><div>
</div><div>Do you homework as you go through the recruiting process. And be aware, as I'm sure you are, that you're signing up for more than weekend work. You'll almost certainly deploy at some point, and quite possibly in a role that's not your career field. AF and Navy folk regularly do what's popularly conceived of as "army" work, especially on the logistics end of things.</div>

 

[WebbFreeman]

I just googled Max Age for non prior service enlistment, looks like it is 27 for Coast Guard Reserve and 34 for Air Guard. I appreciate your willingness to serve. There truly is a brotherhood that bonds every veteran, no matter what branch. I am a little older that you, I joined in 1980 and never saw conflict. All we had was Grenada and Panama, and they didn't need my MOS for those. I truly love and thank the young people who are risking their lives for us everyday. May their sacrifices not be in vain. My father passed last month and was buried with full military honors. It was a very special service. Although I never had to fight, I was able and willing. I gave the country a few years of young adulthood, I received much more in return.

 

[Captain Agustus McDawg]

Been in going on 26 years. Unless you have a very understanding employer, I would not go flight crew (you will likely be gone a lot). The Air Guard Unit in Jackson is hard to get into, if you start the process now, it may take up to one year before you go to basic. Any type of past medical issues may be a limfac (even if not relevant now). Let me know your interests and I can point you toward some relevant AFSCs. Unless you are an engineer, medical or connected, I would not put much hope in getting an officer slot in the Air Guard (probably close to half the enlisted have 4 year degrees).

In the pre 911 world plenty of people did 20 years in the guard without deploying, that is not the case now. You will do a six month deployment (you will be on orders for about eight months). Most employers understand this and are supportive of infrequent long term deployments.

I will be glad to answe any questions you have.

 

[ArmyDawg]

I'm an older guy (mid 30s) and have ALWAYS wanted to be in the military. I'm thinking about joining a reserve or guard unit and would appreciate some opinions. I've narrowed it down to Coast Guard Reserve or Air National Guard. I have a job and family, but have always wanted to join the military.

What say you?

Been active army for 5 years now, currently in Afghanistan. I have love hate for the army. I love my job 31b z6 (k9 handler) currently looking for ied's and caches. However the military is really gay about a lot of things, for an older person with a degree I would suggest going officer due to the less amount of bs you have to deal with. I'm on the fence of getting out next year. Being away from home and extremely long hours takes a toll on the wife and kid.

 

[RocketDawg]

I was in ANG for 6 years and Navy Reserve for 14+ ... retired with 20 years. I'm pretty sure the cutoff age for receiving a commission in the Navy is 35. Not sure what the age limit for other services or for enlisted is, but it may be lower.<div>
</div><div>With DoD budget cuts, the military is being scaled back, and if the huge cuts happen that are anticipated, the Pentagon will be in even worse shape. It may be hard to get in ... in fact, it'll be hard to stay in even if you're in now.</div><div>
</div><div>
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[PickleHead]

Great advice guys and thanks. I'm actually 38, so I'm clinging on to the "mid 30s" idea. Anyway, based on my search, it looks like the Coast Guard is vague about age limit and the ANG is 40. If I do decide to go down this road, I'll find something. Better late than never.

 

[gtowndawg]

nm

 

[DovaDawg]

PickleHead I have a few questions for you:

1. What part of the state are you in?

This will affect what opportunities you have. Coast Guard has a 300 mile commute radius. The Coast Guard does not have a reserve in the traditional sense. Their reservist augment the active duty units. If you live near the coast, this could be good. If not, prepare to be on a river tender changing out light bulbs and depth markers.

There are several Air Guard bases, but things are in the air with the budget issues and unit realignment. I am full time guard at the 164th Airlift Wing in Memphis. We are converting to C-17s right now, which means we are trimming positions while gaining some. Meridian just lost their mission with the cancellation of their new air craft. Jackson is fairly stable right now.

In the Army Guard, you have lots of opportunity, but the Army is going to take the biggest hit in the budget cuts due to being over staffed from the current conflicts. For you Army guys, I am not stirring the pot. There is a current article by the Army Top Brass saying that they do not think its fair that they have been toting the load during the GWOT while the Navy and AF have been developing future weapon systems. As a result the Navy and AF are in better shap for the future than the Army who will have to shed lots of positions after the troop draw down.


What do you wan to do?

The Air Guard is tough right now for someone your age as a non-prior service. The Air Guard can be good and bad for a family man. The less glamorous jobs have short tech schools (meaning less time away from your family). The cool jobs tend to have longer tech schools and higher deployment probability. We are in desperate need of Load Masters for the new C-17s right now. LM school is long and when you get back, you can expect to be flying quite frequently. I don't know about Jackson, but here in Memphis we are operating more like a small active duty base. 90% of our planes fly every week, usually going to conflict areas and 75% 0f our base are full time guard. Since Jan, I have been away from home at least 50% of the time. I am fixing to go back to Keesler for 3 months and then I go to Germany when I get back. The Air Guard has the 1 weekend a month Traditionals, but they almost get in the way when they come in for drill weekends.

The Coast Guard used to have a Port Security Unit in Gulfport that was bas ***, but not sure if they are still around and they were deployable to anywhere in the world within 48 hours.


I was Marine Corps Reserve in Jackson for 8 years. When I graduated MSU, I got out. I went to work in the corporate world and hated it. All I wanted to do was get back in. Eventually I ended up in the Air Guard up here in Memphis. The ARmy Guard is going to offer you the most opportunity and the quickest route in. Which ever route you go, be prepared to be away from your family for 6 months. At 38, you are still going to have to go through the same BS games as the 18 year old kids. It is worth every moment and it is a decision I have never regretted. Sorry for the long post and let me know if you have any questions.

 

[NTDawg]

that it is appreciated by those of those who are safer because of men and women like you. Tonight I'll have a drink in honor of ArmyDawg. Cheers

 

[PickleHead]

I live in the metro Jackson area, so I'm not far from the coast. I wonder if being an officer at my age is a possibility? I really appreciate the responses and info...it's helpful before I talk to a recruiter.

 

[DovaDawg]

I can not speak for all of the branches, but for the Air Guard you are past the officer cut off age. There are two exceptions: 1) You are a doctor/nurse/dentist. They have a higher age limit for Medical Officers. 2) You become a Chaplin.

The Air Force decided to do away with the Warrant Officer (Enlisted Officer) in exchange the AF Chief. Its a shame because I really like the Warrant Officer program. That option does still exist in the Army

 

[GloryDawg]

I say don't do it. If you have kids and a wife the separation really sux. You just don't know. Let the young guys go off and be hero's. Be a different kind of hero. Stay at home raise your kids to be good people and set a good example. The time just training and then the possiblility of being deployed for 12 months at a time is not good. That is time your kids do not have a father in their lives. It's time you will never get back. There are many other ways to serve your country. Just my opinion.

 

[maroonmadman]

Good luck in your choice. IF you're not past the age limit for the CG I would highly recomend it. The Coast Guard is one of the more rewarding services you could choose. Nothing will give you the warm fuzzies better than bailing somebody out of a near death situation and placing them back on dry land with their family. There is no better reward and that's what they do every day. Their are also a lot of less glamorous jobs in the CG as well. Talk it over with a recruiter. IF you can go OCS then go, officers make a better paycheck and do less BS but if you WANT to be on a SAR (Search And Rescue) boat crew then go enlisted, officers generally speaking, don't do that kind of stuff. Pascagola and Gulfport would be the closest CG stations for that. Vicksburg, Natchez and Greenvilleall have ANT teams (Aids to Navigation Team) They service and maintain all channel markers and such. I'd go with Pascagola or Gulfport myself, nothing like getting paid to go to the coast one weekend a month. Get your orders IN WRITING from your recruiter BEFORE signing any papers.

 

[PickleHead]

...and trust me, my family comes first. I'm a VERY "hands on" father and husband. With that said, this is why I'm looking into the "part-time" part of the military. I'm really starting to think the Coast Guard makes sense, if they'll take an old guy like me.

 

[Captain Agustus McDawg]

Being non prior service at your age, the Urmy (Army) Guard my be your only option. If you are determined to scratch that itch, don't delay contact a recruiter this week. If you are in the medical, counseling or engineering fields you may still have some options, If not you your window of opportunity is closing rapidly.

 

[DovaDawg]

To echo what has been said here, if I had it all to do again, I would have gone to the Coast Guard. Not anything against any of the branches I have served in, but rather the CG has a pretty cool mission. Gulfport now has a Homeland Security High Intensity Drug Trafficking Office. CG being closely aligned with Homeland Security gets to play in drug interdiction role also. As was mentioned before, the life saving aspect is awesome. In the event of disaster recovery (Katrina), you would get to be right in the middle of it. That also has a negative side that in the event of a hurricane, you will be right in the middle of it!

 

[GloryDawg]

Beware that the Coast Guard can be pulled into the Navy during war. In fact many of the River Patrol Boats in Vietnam and Iraq were manned by Coast Guards men. So it's not like you can totally escape the possibility of being deployed for a year or so during war.

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

Let young cats do that stuff...<div>
</div><div>I was in USMC (90-96) and at 38 you may not like the huge waste of time it can be and the associated BS that goes with it...</div><div>
</div><div>My bro is retiring from the CG after 25+ years, as well...</div><div>
</div><div>feel free to PM me if you want more detail...</div>

 

[PickleHead]

nm

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

but we've not discussed it a great deal. I understand that CG Bootcamp is the 2nd most difficult Basic training of all the services.<div>
</div><div>since you've a degree, i would HIGHLY recommend you go to AF OCS and go in as a "zero"... you;ll make more money, won't be as bored, and won't have to do a lot of ******** tasks... the army/navy would be my 2nd choice.</div><div>
</div><div>try to do something that can translate over to the civilian world...</div><div>
</div><div>I would not go in the Corps at 38, however.... i've yet to find a private corporation in the business of storming beachheads.</div>

 

[PickleHead]

...it looks like at the old age of 38, the only options available are the National Guard, Air Guard, CG Reserve, and Navy reserve. I am in good shape and would welcome a basic training challenge.

 

[TUSK.sixpack]

[list type=decimal][*]Air Guard... there used to be a PJ/Snake Eater unit in Meridian if you're gung-ho. also, you'll be around smarter people.[*]Army NG - pretty easy and laid back.[*]CG reserve.... boats, guns and ****.[*]Navy Reserve - ONLY if you do it as a "doc"... otherwise it sucks.[/list]

 

[maroonmadman]

To expand on what Big D said. During the first Persian Gulf war several CG cutters and approx. 600 CG personnel were deployed to the Gulf,a lotof these were reservist. They have also been in the Gulf during this latest conflict, primarily in a port security role but they also do a lot of vessel boarding and inspection work. A few of the 110'island class cutters were deployed to assist in these roles. A lot of these jobs are filled by reservist, so don't think you'll be getting out of this kinda stuff just because you join the Coast Guard.

 

[Todd4State]

I am an occupational therapist- we would probably fall in the same category as MD's/RN's/dentists.

The Army tried to get me to join AMED or whatever it's called after I graduated OT school, but I just didn't want to do it. Them saying I would have to go to boot camp wasn't a real strong selling point on their part at the time either. Then they said, "Well, it's an "easier" boot camp." I didn't buy it.

But I guess my question is can someone do occupational therapy or a health related field in the Army reserves and work at an Army Hospital such as Walter Reed or a local VA like in Jackson one weekend a month or for a short period of time out of the year? (Like a month or two?)

Basically, I don't want to quit my current job and move away from Jackson, but I wouldn't mind serving in the military if it is feasible- which it probably isn't.

I'm also confused about the heirarchy of medicine in the military. The Army people told me that it all fell under one umbrella which was under the Army- AMED. And they served the Army, Navy, etc. But I know a girl in medical school and the Navy is paying for her to be a MD- and she will be a MD for the Navy.

 

[PickleHead]

nm

 

[RocketDawg]

TUSK wrote:

Navy Reserve - ONLY if you do it as a "doc"... otherwise it sucks.

Not true in my case. I was an Engineering Officer in the NR and never had more fun in my life. It was a break from my normal mostly "desk" job with NASA ... in the Navy we overhauled ships for two weeks each year in Philadelphia (and later Norfolk after they closed Philly). Got a lot of hands-on experienced that I could not have gotten anywhere else. And they payed me, and now that I'm old enough I get paid every month and get free health insurance. Pretty nice bennies. <div>
</div><div>I'm not sure I'd want to go through basic training at 38 though. I went through AF basic at Lackland at age 22 and it was pretty tough on me after having sat on my butt in college for 5 years. I didn't enjoy it in the least.</div>

 

[PickleHead]

If it's either for Air Guard or Coast Guard, it's gonna be a lot different for me at 38. However, if I do decide to go down this road, I can't let that stop me.

 

[Captain Agustus McDawg]

We have docs, dentists, nurses and eye doctors at the ANG in Jackson, but no OTs or PTs that I know of. There is an AF reserve unit at Kessler that may have OT slots. Contact a recruiter at (228) 377-2815.

If you can find a slot as an OT, I don't think basic will be an issue because you will be an officer. I believe medical officers don't even go through OTS, but some type of orientation class.