Posted on 02/14/2009 4:07:18 PM PST by Little Pig
So I've been weighing things in my mind for a little while now, and I have decided to seriously look into re-joining the Military. I was in the Army for four years from 1990-1994. I now have a Master's degree and lots of real-world experience under my belt. I am looking at joining the Air Force, specifically the newly-forming 24th (possible) Air Force, which will be the new Cyber Warfare command. My Master's is in Information Assurance (computer security). I have been having a hard time recently finding new jobs (who hasn't). I have been doing contracting, but the economy is particularly dry right now, and I don't seem to fit into the corporate world as well as I'd like.
However, there are a few things I need to consider, and which I'd like the opinion of the FreeRepublic intelligentsia on: First, although Gates has stayed on as SecDef, that won't be a perfect shield for the military from this administration. The Cyber command is likely to be less affected than the weapon-heavy jobs, but there is still the possibility that the Zero's administration will negatively affect the military. I'd like the forum's opinion on this. Second, I am a bit older than the "cutoff" age, particularly for the Air Force, and I'd like the advice of the forum on how I can best address this with recruiting. I plan to go in as an officer, so the age limit is higher, and a former AF pilot friend of mine tells me that there are still waivers and whatnot for special skills such as mine. I still want to maximize my chances should I decide this is what I want to do. I know I can handle the physical demands, and my life experience will make the mental demands much easier to keep in perspective, but I have to convince the AF of this.
I know there are those among my fellow Freepers that can help. Thanks.
I don’t understand your thought process. Presidents are temporary. Our country deserves good men and women at all times, regardless of who is in office.
FYI, as of a couple of years ago the Army was 50% short on Captains. The USAF and USN haven’t had much trouble filling slots (probably due to having fewer on the front lines) so they probably aren’t as flexible. But, the Army has been granting age and other waivers for quite some time.
EE, I assume you have been out of the loop for quite some time when it comes to recruiting.
I question why you even started this thread, you don’t respond to people that have information, it seems to be a feel good thread (for you).
You know that you can google this stuff or even make a phone call.
I have been responding to people who have information. In many cases, it has been through private responses/freepmail, and in one case, phone conversation. It’s not a feel-good thread. I genuinely want the opinion of the FR community on whether my idea to re-join the service made sense, given that I am slightly past the age cut-off. Many in the FR community are military or ex-military, and have substantial information about what I am considering, particularly the age question. Given the significance of this decision, having the viewpoints and opinions of many people helps me to get a proper perspective.
True, I don’t keep tabs on it like I used to.
There were always some rules that were based on market conditions and needs of the services and some that were DoD imposed.
As one who had put together Warrant Officer Flight and OCS packets and seen good guys not make it.
I’m just not in the habit of stroking people and telling them BS just to make them feel better if I have reason to believe something else. Nothing mean spirited about it and if I am incorrect....it would be the second or third time I have been wrong on something! LOL
I’ve only been wrong once before. I have heard that the USAF has too many officers, so it would be tougher to get in the USAF. However, the USA has a shortage and it is much easier to get in.
Guess my info wasn’t worth even a courtesy screw you very much!
Hey just goes to show that if it isn’t stroking you off it wasn’t wanted info.
If you’re serious you’ve had plenty of time to talk to a recruiter.
Are you? Did you?
What did they tell you?
Sorry, I didn’t know you were waiting anxiously for a response. I talked to a recruiter today (Mon was a holiday). The AF recruiters can’ bend the age restriction, but the one I talked to didn’t discount the possibility of getting assistance from an elected rep. He also said there might be a way for me to get in through the medical corps, which has a higher age cutoff, and I’m looking into that. I’m also looking at other services, and have gotten a positive response from the Army.
So pretty much everyone else was wrong, correct?
But I’ll bet they made you feel good.
Hey, if you have a BSN you don’t have the same age or physical requirements...if you want to become a nurse.
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