Enlisting at an older age...

[pittbalto83]

Hey everyone - new to the forum here.

So ever since high school I have been interested in the Navy but have always been too discouraged/afraid to take action. I went to college and earned a waste of a degree (non-technical, average GPA), worked a few jobs since then and generally twiddled my thumbs while making ends meet paycheck to paycheck.

After some growing up and, more importantly, learning I was going to have a daughter born in August of this year, I did some serious thinking about my career (or lack thereof). I realized that, although I'm a smart guy, I have wasted a lot of time not working hard at moving my professional life forward. Frankly I look bad on paper... moved around every year, different jobs every year or two... but I had to make a better life for my soon-to-be baby and secure a more comfortable future for myself. I did a lot of homework and loved what jobs the Navy had to offer.

Here's the dilemna: I just turned 28 and I am not a competitive candidate for OCS because of the aforementioned non-technical degree (Mass Communications FYI) with a 2.98 GPA. I had NO problem enlisting until recently, when a family friend who is retired Navy and a former roommate who is a Marine both kept saying "DON'T JOIN IF YOU CAN'T GO IN AS AN OFFICER!" I'm wondering why? My expectation was that if I enlist (as an E-3 rather than E-1 because of my degree, says my recruiter) then I can go in there, pass all the tests, work my butt off in PT, and rise above the other recruits and advance to officer... but is this not how it works? I am told that if I enlist I will always be a "grunt" no matter what.

I'm no better than anyone else, but I am looking for a career. Something I can do for a long time and earn enough for my family. Is enlisting at 28 years old a good route to advancement or is it true that moving straight to officer is the only way to make it worthwhile?

Did I mention I scored an 81 on the practice ASVAB? Does it make any difference? I have worked so hard at this... I lost 60 lbs to make the weight limit and I was dead-set on the Navy until today because I am discouraged and don't want my dream to become a nightmare. Thank you all.

- J

[thenavysong]

I don't know enough about how the military (or the Navy, for that matter) works to give you specific information, but I can say this:


1) Don't let other people stop you from reaching your goals/dreams.

2) You gotta start someplace, right? If you start as a grunt, you start as a grunt. Everybody starts somewhere.

Keep talking to a recruiter about this, they may likely have the best answer for you. But don't let other people's opinions stop you from doing what you want in life.

Good luck! :)

[acer87]

the main issue is that alot of the rates are overmanned cept for spec ops certain ct ratings and nuke field, also making a career out of it obv if its not overmanned the easier it is to get promoted. what ratings are you looking into?

[DK3]

Yep, you would go in as an E3. Nothing wrong with going in as enlisted. There are a lot of Officers that started out enlisted. You will have to keep ~4.0 on your evaluations and run a straight line in order to cross over to Officer country.

[G3Shepherds]

Just my 2 cents - in my opinion - go - do it now before its too late...........I didn't go in, and I regret it. My brother went in with only 1 yr of collage and just slid by. He just retired last yr. as Master Chief, was in the Blue Angels for 2 yrs til he made rate again...........he would have stayed for 40, but the Navy wasn't looking for him or anyone to stay that long, at that time. And with what he was doing, and don't even ask me what it was, I'm not really sure - just know that he picked the right stuff to get to where he's at now...This got him a $150,000.00 job on the outside.........
So don't ever think you can't do it, cuz you can...... just put your mind to it, and set a goal, and go for it!!!!........ Your 28 now, you don't have that many more yrs before they won't take you.. So go down to recuiter's office, talk to them, listen to your heart and what you want - forget those other guy's who are telling you don't - they don't have a clue and apparently they've never been in the Service of anykind!!!........
Good luck!!!!..............and Go Navy!

[pittbalto83]

thanks for the input. DK3 especially that's what I needed to know... that I can make a decent living and not be stuck because I enlisted. I'm joining the Navy for a career, for my daughter, and for something to take pride in. I'm an ambitious guy and I don't do something with the intention of just coasting through. I want to make the most of it and if someone said to me that there is a limit as to how far I can go then I don't want it. But if I can move ahead I will pursue it relentlessly.

[yenner]

I'm 28 also and 1.5 years ago weighed 421 pounds. I've been kicking myself day in and out, save the last 2 months, to lose weight and get in. I'm down to ~295 and fluctuating but I'm not ready to quit. If you can get in now, do it. I'd love to be able to.

[VaBchMom]

Yenner - it's been awhile since we've seen you....

[edgeupgx]

I'd say join while you can I think its a good move career wise and if you can get a rate that would give you some technical skills for the civilian world even better. I joined back in June shipping off Jan. of 2012 and will end up turning 30 in boot camp but I couldn't be happier with my decision.

[yenner]

Yenner - it's been awhile since we've seen you....

Yes it has been, and it has been again. :)

Sorry about that. Since papaws passing much has happened. I've went from banker, which I had been for over 5 years, to a full time youth pastor. I've hit a serious road block with my weight loss and I'm struggling to lose any more. It's frustrating b.c I feel as if my dream of enlisting is slipping further and further away. I've also started practicing Krav Maga as a way to get fit and learn a skill set.

I don't want to hijack this thread but thank you for you concern and toss up prayers for me all of you who pray. :)

[VaBchMom]

Will do......

[B-E-A-R]

Wow, I am almost in a Identical ship as you PITTBALTO83. I am 27. I come from an exstensive military family father retire navy, grandfather retired marine, both brother in lasw retired navy, sister did time in the army, brother did 10 years marine corps. Then there is me the one who has always dreamed to go in but because of discouragement and weight issues have been to afraid to try. Now I have three children 9,7 and 2months and still I have the desire and drive to join the US navy. I keep getting side tracked by naysayers and those who believe the military is on a hiring freeze. I was even told recently that if I were to join "I'd only be in for about 1-2 years then released, do to not being needed" I am going to succeed against the odds and attempt to get myself where I need to be to make it. It is my lifes dream to be a sailor and serve my country as so many others in my family have done.

[mmaclauchlan]

I joined just before my 28th birthday. I had more than enough credits to get E3, and I've worked my butt off from day one. Without going into a lot of detail - I've been noticed and rewarded time and time again (and I've only been in since April). At our "old" age, our maturity and work ethics allow us to stand out above the rest in a positive way. The Navy is specifically looking for people like us (older with college) to fill specific areas of the enlisted ranks.

Join. Work hard. Enjoy the rewards of serving your country and having a productive, successful career that you EARNED. Joining the Navy was the second best decision of my life. First was marrying my wife, who is an absolutely amazing military spouse.