What are your opinions on later military service?

12 comments

1. I’m a bit biased as I am retired military. 25 isn’t too old for joining. I joined as 22 and did 20 years. I wasn’t in the navy but I travel to probably 15-20 counties while I was in. I would probably temper any expectation of the job you would get in the navy actually using your existing skills. They might make it sound similar but the reality might not match your expectations.

   If you want to do it then do it. If you don’t like it getting out at 30 and going back to work wouldn’t be a huge deal unless you’re in a field that is rapidly changing. It could also help you out based on veteran hiring preferences, education benefits, and VA healthcare once you’re out.

2. I have a son in the service now. And my father was in the service before me. I didn’t bother since I knew I was not a good fit.

   25 is not that old, my son serves with people that started later than 25 and are doing quite well. The good thing about the service is that you will see different parts of the world, can be trained in some good career paths, and can gain access to veterans benefits. And if you end up truly enjoying the service, a 20 year run and you are still young enough to do something else.

   The bad stuff. You are a cog in the machine. You are in a dangerous field, even the safer jobs are not exactly safe. There is a lot of monotony and tasks that simply exist to give you something to do. And if you decide you don’t like it, getting out isn’t exactly a simple option. You can’t say fuck you, I quit.

   That being said, if you think you can make it through a contract, and make sensible choices, you can leave in a decent position for your future.

3. I actually had a guy in my BMTS flight that was 28, an immigrant from India, and a doctor in his home country. So 25 is older, but not that old.

   If you can do the same job or a similar job in the Navy (and research to make sure that’s truly the case), you’re not really losing a step if and when you decide to transition back into the civilian world.

4. I’d only join the military if I was intersted in being a hired goon to pillage other parts of the world to profit the wealthy and powerful

5. I’m just swore in for the Navy, and I’m 30. I’ve been struggling with direction a bit over the last year.

   As long as you meet the physical requirements, why not? As long as you’re not an idiot, there’s a lot of interesting rates. The Navy deploys more than any other branch right now, so you’ll be able to travel.

   Besides, not everyone gets to say they joined. Less than 1% of Americans serve in the military.

   Like a friend told me, you probably won’t fall into the same traps as most 18 y/o’s. Follow instructions, don’t buy that brand new Challenger, and don’t get married to the first girl you see.

   There’s some good Navy subreddits that helped influence my decision.
   r/navy
   r/NewToTheNavy

   Talk to a recruiter. Explore the other branches. It’s a big commitment, so make sure you have as much information as possible.

6. I joined the army at 26. At first I was a little anxious because I thought I was old, but once I arrived at Benning I saw much older people sprinkled throughout the ranks. There was a really old guy they coined “gramps” who last I saw was resting in bed due to pelvic fractures in his hip. In my opinion you are at the perfect age because your body is physically reliable and honestly stronger than the typical 18 year olds you will see. That being said, your biggest advantage is your maturity. A bunch of guys who were not bad soldiers, just kind of young and dumb, made a prison style tattoo gun and tattooed one another deep into basic. The drill sergeants found out and they all got booted. At your age you know you want to do this, you have the mentality to cross this off your bucket list, and if you find out the military isn’t for you, you know you can go back into the civilian world and take care of yourself. That last part is a big deal.

7. I joined the Air Force at 24. Got stationed in England and have gotten to see nearly 10 countries in the last 4 years. I’m now almost 30 and about to finish my first Enlistment. Joining the military has been a great experience, there’s ups and downs like anything in life but it’s been a wonderful experience so far and I intend on staying in for my 20.

8. Are you joining officer or enlisted? Of course becoming an officer is more challenging, but I would recommend discussing what options are available to you with an officer recruiter (different than enlisted recruiters). The work is much higher paid and the career trajectory is better. Plus everyone is going to be more your age and level of maturity than enlisted.

   You typically need a four year degree, but there are rotc programs where you’ll get paid to finish school, then you’ll get the gi bill on top of that. It can be a good deal.

   I joined the Marine Corps enlisted and it worked great for me, but the college and officer route would have been much more lucrative.

9. Always take chances in life because it will leave you wondering and eventually you will have regrets as you get older. But also be realistic Military service is hard work and boring as shit many times, you spend weeks grinding along. I was in the army but talking to navy friends, imagine weeks of shift work in the bowls of ship, sleep, eat, work repeat. I also travelled a lot but what did I see? Jack shit because I was either on base or on maneuvers covered in mud. But I wouldn’t give it up for anything, loved it because I had real expectations but you see many truly unhappy because they thought it was going be swanning about the world looking cool with a wads of cash in their pockets. Instead they are cleaning Latrines because they pissed the officer off.

10. 25 isn’t too old.
    I think the bigger issue is you’ll be giving up quite a bit of control over your life.

    Know people who joined for travel and ended up spending 4 years in Norfolk, VA.

11. Slightly relevant to my life.

    Currently: 36 yo M. 8 years in the military (Army). Orthopaedic surgery resident currently. Went to USUHS (military medical school). I’ve never been in a line unit. I’ve been sheltered from a lot of bullshit.

    Background: Graduated u/g in 2008. Finance/MIS double major from a pretty good u/g business school. Took a job in the federal sector. Did soul searching. Ended up pursuing medicine. Had spent years as an ocean lifeguard as well prior. Really love being part of a team. Love giving back to a “greater” organization or mission. Maximizing my earning is not a priority. Wife has a solid job. Also inheriting a large sum of money. Bottom-line: I’m financially secure. Allows me to make decisions where income isn’t my primary goal.

    I love being able to treat and take care of active-duty soldiers. They deserve nothing but the best care that I can give them. There is a lot of bullshit with military duty, but you can avoid some of that though a) officership b) certain career fields c) knowing what you signed up for. Some of the top orthopaedic surgeons in the country currently or have done extensive military time. It’s a badass network where you truly stand on the shoulders of giants. This network is present in a few different career fields as well (Wall Street loves former military).

    Recruiters will lie to you. Talk to people in your field. If you join for the “correct” reasons you can have a very, very good career and do some things you otherwise wouldn’t be able to do.

    You won’t be “old”, especially if you join as an officer.

    Happy to answer questions or respond to DMs.

12. I mean I grew up with 2 career Navy parents. They were both medical and loved it. That being said as long as you are realistic about what our military does and you are ok with that it’s your call. Don’t think though that you are “fighting for our country” or “protecting liberty” because that hasn’t happened for a LONG time.