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3077India
08-13-07, 10:17 AM
Today I spoke with an Officer Recruiter of the LA Army National Guard. Here are the facts of my situation as they currently stand.
I'm too old (38yo) to go back into the Marines, which I prefer, but I know that will never happen.
I Already have a BA.
Army National Guard regs for Officers raised the max age to 35.
I have been told that I can qualify for an age waiver. The guy I spoke with has to do some research on that and then he'll let me know one way or the other.
Not going career largely due to my age, but really only want money to return to school so I can get my Masters and Doctorate in Psychology.
Really just trying to keep from going enlisted, since a buddy of mine who is a Captain in the regular Army advised that if I can be an officer to do that instead of enlisted in the Guard.If this doesn't pan out, then there is possibly Warrant Officer. Here are the facts as I know them:
Must be between the ages of 18 and 46. this is straignt from the regs as I was shown.
Have at least a High School Diploma or GED.
Specialize in a certain MOS.
Be an E-5? Was told this, by the guy I spoke with today, seems to be inconsistent with the age range (18 to 46). How does one qualify for WO at the age of 18 then?The only thing that I'm not sure of is whether or not I'll still have to go through Army Basic before OCS or WOS. I've gotten mixed or confusing information on this. Not that I have a problem with that.

Does anyone have any thoughts or advice on this situation?

JCam0331
08-13-07, 11:41 AM
Hmmm I don't wanna pass bum scoop but a buddy of mine applied for the Warrant Officer program and was accepted. He was an E-4 Specialist, but once he was accepted he wasd paid as an E-5 Warrant officer Candidate or something.

I'm not clear on this either.

jerryk
08-13-07, 12:24 PM
in outher words in it for the money ,not to serve our nation well what ever trips your shooting finger ,me wish i could go back in now just a cot and 3 hots

3077India
08-13-07, 12:29 PM
please delete.

3077India
08-13-07, 12:32 PM
in outher words in it for the money ,not to serve our nation well what ever trips your shooting finger ,me wish i could go back in now just a cot and 3 hotsIn it for the money? What money? If that were the case I would look elsewhere. All I said was that because of my age going career isn't possible so while serving why not pursue the option of going back to school to further my education.

yellowwing
08-13-07, 01:33 PM
From all the scuttlebutt in the recruiting commercials, the army has all kinds of carrots to wave around for college money. Google around the latest news stories pertaining army bonuses.

JCam0331
08-13-07, 01:57 PM
please delete.

don't worry bro, he doesn't know you. Its the internet and some people are real quick to cast judgement.

Besides, there is NOTHING WRONG with joining the military for money. Do you honestly think that everyone who joins the US military is out of pure ooorah gung ho patriotism?

NEGATIVE. Some people join because it is a solid career option that rivals most of what the civilian sector can offer you. Plus free medical, dental, tuition assistance and whatnot.

Anyway I wish you the best of luck in becoming an Army Officer. There is nothing wrong with that and I know you will wear the uniform of an American Soldier with great pride.

Semper Fi bro,

3077India
08-13-07, 02:05 PM
don't worry bro, he doesn't know you. Its the internet and some people are real quick to cast judgement.

Besides, there is NOTHING WRONG with joining the military for money. Do you honestly think that everyone who joins the US military is out of pure ooorah gung ho patriotism?

NEGATIVE. Some people join because it is a solid career option that rivals most of what the civilian sector can offer you. Plus free medical, dental, tuition assistance and whatnot.

Anyway I wish you the best of luck in becoming an Army Officer. There is nothing wrong with that and I know you will wear the uniform of an American Soldier with great pride.

Semper Fi bro,Thank you for the encouragement. BTW, I wasn't wanting his post to be deleted, but mine, because I double posted so I erased one. :p

yellowwing
08-13-07, 02:12 PM
Lots of latest news article on Army Bonuses (http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=DVXA,DVXA:2006-42,DVXA:en&q=army+bonuses).

How's your eye site? Whipping around in an Apache sounds like a great time!

JCam0331
08-13-07, 02:17 PM
Lots of latest news article on Army Bonuses (http://news.google.com/news?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=DVXA,DVXA:2006-42,DVXA:en&q=army+bonuses).

How's your eye site? Whipping around in an Apache sounds like a great time!

or an AH-60 Direct Action Penetrator (a blackhawk with a boatload of guns, rockets and missiles) lol !!

3077India
08-13-07, 02:21 PM
Don't believe I would qualify for that since I have to wear glasses for viewing from great distances (nearsighted), but don't need them for driving. :nerd: :cool: Although I must admit flying an Apache or Blackhawk would be very appealing to me.

3077India
01-10-08, 12:17 AM
Next week I go for my physical at the MEPS in Nude Orleans :p and I will take the ASVAB again (scores are only good for 10 years and it was 1994 when I last took it), not that it is a problem; I scored well above 110 on all my base line scores last time, I'm confident I can do well this time especially since I didn't think the ASVAB was all that difficult.

These are terms of my enlistment that I have agreed to:

I will receive a $20,000 signing bonus ($10,000 after basic and $10,000 after my AIT).
My student loan ($8,000+) will be paid off (assuming I complete basic).
I go into basic as an E-4 and I come out as an E-5.
When I complete AIT (btw, the army doesn't provide 10 days leave after basic before going to AIT like the Marines do) I submit my paperwork for OCS. My recruiter has said that since LANG (Lousyana National Guard) needs officers bad my acceptance is assured. So assuming that is correct, upon my completion of Basic and my AIT I will go to OCS. I have to wait one year so that my bonus won't be affected and I really want that $20,000.
I get free tuition for my Masters and Professional degrees.I considered the Enlistment/OCS option, but I wouldn't get a signing bonus, I wouldn't get any money for college, nor would my student loan be paid off.

At any rate I am having to settle for a Pinto instead of a Ferrari simply because of my age.

LeonardLawrence
01-10-08, 02:18 AM
Good Luck 3077. :)

Helland
01-10-08, 06:52 AM
Yup best of wishes from me as well. Let us know how it was when you get back.:banana: