Is it more difficult to adjust to military life by joining at an older age?

Question

I am 36 and considering it. Do other soldiers look down on you for joining at an old age? Or respect you? Or neither? What about the people above you? Do they care? Treat you differently?

Does anyone have any advice to make things go more smoothly for me? Thank you. I am thinking of joining in a professional capacity so the age limit is higher.

Answer 1

Quick answer is no, your age wont be the deciding factor when your peers and betters meet you.

If you act your age and meet the new challenge like an adult every one will treat you with respect. The key is to set short goals, take responsibility for yourself and never forget the peers around you are significantly younger . They will look to you or at you for guidance.

No pressure though, good luck.

Answer 2

Mostly in the military you earn respect. Age really isn't a factor.

Answer 3

It depends upon your maturity.

Answer 4

My husband says that if they have a family or something, then everyone assumes that they couldn't do any better in the outside world. If anyone treats you like that, don't pay any attention to them. I just asked my husband (a US Sailor) and that's just what he said. He can be a t**d though :-)

However, if you're going through a divorce, need some major change in your life, etc... Then no one looks down at you, unless you act like a dumb ***.

However, if you are joining the military... research your options. You might be eligable to join at a higher pay grade, and everything is cool. But there are people every day that join at entry level with a masters or some other sort of degree because they just don't know any better.

Good luck whatever your decision.

  

Answer 5

It depends on how you use your age. I joined at 21. Young yes, but there are sergents and ssgs that are my age (now im 23) and, I admit, its a bit intmidating, but its more motivation for me to move up faster in ranks.

It's also a little harder to adjust to life...and if you dont have a family and or a wife, living in the barracks will be h**l. But, if this is really what you want, then by all means go for it. Just don't use the "i'm older than you" card at any time. You may get younger NCO's to come to you for advice on life, because you are older and can help them.

Answer 6

if i wasn't 45 i'ld go with ya.try the coast guard seems pretty cool(might be able to keep some of the drugs and kool-aid out of our cities).

Answer 7

My husband joined at the age of 25 and he thought it was harder for him to adjust because he was used to living a certain way and he was placed in with a bunch of guys who are about 18-20 so he was feeling old and a little awkward, but it's not too bad.  

Answer 8

In Navy bootcamp they had one group of recruits that were all 30+ years old.

During A school, C school the age factor might be a pain in the butt. Changing roomates, moving around, etc..

Once you get into your squadron or unit youll find like minded people regardless of age and find your niche.

I suggest doing whatever it takes to gett off base housing ASAP and superiors will look to you to set an example for the young guys. Dont s***w around too much.

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 9

Thank you for considering serving your country.

Actually most of your peers will respect you: for your life experiences if for no other reason.  AFA supervision/leadership, can't speak for everyone but I certainly didn't care: it's what you do and your rank that matters not who you are.

AFA advice:  Get in awesome shape.  It's going to be much more difficult for you to physically recover on zero-fours sleep a day during basic (regardless of service) simply because your on the downside of your peak physical resiliency.  Excellent physical condition will help you out until you adjust.

Keep in mind that you will be treated identically to the 18 year old, who's away from home for the first time.  Statistically, that's something that older trainees have some issue with.  After basic, things will normalize for you.

Answer 10

some do and some don't and if you do join and if they make fun of you then just ignore them and move on eventually you will earn their respect

Answer 11

It does not matter your age, but your mindset.  As we get older, we tend to be more set in our ways and less willing to adjust.  You have to remain fluid in the military.

As far as what others think:  For most age will not matter.  Some leadership will look at your age as an advantage (leadership qualities tend to come with age).  To others it simply won't matter.

The only area it may be a disadvantage is you may wind up with people younger than you with much more rank (read:  authority) than you.  It may be uncomfortable for them to tell someone older than them what to do, but that will be either alleviated or compounded by your actions and reactions.  So that boils down, again, to your mindset.  How are you going to react with someone in their early to mid 20s telling you what to do?  If you're O.K. with it, then they will be.  They may even turn to you privately for your advice.  That's where positional as opposed to actual authority/leadership can happen.  But don't expect it.  Some young officers/NCOs don't want advice.  But whether it's the military or civilian life, you will encounter these young "hot shots," so once again it will depend on how you handle the situation.

Best of luck in your decision.

Answer 12

It all depends.  My husband, and his two brothers are all in the army currently.  His father just enlisted at the age of 42.  So now all but one of his sons out ranks him by 2 ranks.  As far as will you have respect, it depends.  I know my husband has a soldier who is 38 under his command (my husband is 24).  He gets extremely frustrated with him because he's always on a profile.  Your PT will be different because its based on age, and that can really tick off the guys in your unit.  Most feel you shouldn't have special treatment.  You joined, you thought you could hack it, why do you get special treatment?  or at least that is what they'll think.  My husband does not treat the older guys any differently than the 18 year olds.  He smoke's them if they s***w up and will hold them accountable for thier actions.  If you join into a MOS that is in an office or hospital it might be different for you.  It just depends on how your chain of command feels.  You will be expected to be at a higher standard if they recommend you for the board earlier based on your age.  If you fail a board or get flagged to many times they have the right to reclass you, or chapter you out.   I know they have done that to a few people who have been in their 30s that have joined up.  Just study extra hard, don't do anything stupid, mind your ps and qs.  and try not to make your age a big deal.  Try to act like just another soldier.