Topic: Am I too old to join/do well/fit in? (Merged thread)

[gasturbineguy]

Hi all,

I’m considering joining the Reserve Forces after a number of years as a civi. I was actually in the Air Force for 20 years as an AET and later as an AVN tech.
Health is still very good (with the exception of a keg of beer wrapped around my belly) and I still meet the Canadian Forces physical fitness standards for my age group so I think, why not? The Forces was very good to me and I miss the life style and job as a member of the CF.

My question to all you old dogs that rejoined the Regs or joined the reserves after being out for a while is how was the transition? Do you have any suggestions or stories good or bad, that I may find helpful?

Look forward to hearing all your insight.

Thanks

[GUNS]

Don't let age or time out of uniform, work its way into your decision to join. I was accepted back into the Reserves at the ripe age of 52. I was even offer a signing bonus to switch to the Regs.

Other than being called various names related to my age, it was not that bad.

If your body wears civvy cloths but your heart is still in unifirm, go for it. A life of, " what if ", is not living at all.   

[gasturbineguy]

Thanks there Guns for the feedback. Just what I was looking for.
How long were you out prior to rejoining?

Thanks again.

[George Wallace]

I did fairly much the same thing.  The only things I can't get used to is the failures in administration, and some of the 'non-military' attitudes some Reservists have; 'they just don't get it'.  Usually a little bit of TI and a Tour sort out those attitudes.  Other than that, I enjoy working with the group of people I am with in my unit, and have no regrets about joining the Reserves. 

I wish more Ex-Reg Force would join the Reserves to help mentor them, as well as make the CT process a two-way street to stem the flow of freshly qualified Reservists leaving the Reserve units.  At times it is a little disheartening to train a Reservist, and then see him/her join the Regs, leaving your unit with nothing and having to bring in more raw recruits to start the process over again.  If the CT process was a two way street, this would lessen the impact on Reserve units and give them trained pers to keep their capabilities up.  Many Reserve Units have a serious problem with shortages in their leadership ranks at the MCpl through WO levels. 

[mariomike]

The Forces was very good to me and I miss the life style and job as a member of the CF.

I think ( speaking as a civilian ) there is a demand for experienced members like you in the CF. With good attitude. Because, I believe, that attitude is everything.
Other public service agencies are experiencing difficulty in recruiting suitably qualified replacement staff.  The "Baby Boomers" who joined in the early 1970's are reaching the end of their careers and retiring, just as demand for service is increasing.

[M4R71N]

I am 29,is that too old too join.My whole life fell apart on me and i only have a grade 11.I have been thinking of going into the Army for a better career.But could use all the advice i can get.

So is 29 too old?,How many people actually join at my age??Is there signing bonuses,if so how do they work?

and i have been doing research and am interested in either becoming a materials technician,weapons tech or armored  soldier.Who here has accomplished any of these jobs?and can tell me about your experience?

thanks

M4R71N

[Michael O'Leary]

I am 29,is that too old too join.

So is 29 too old?,

No, it isn't.  If you browse the Recruiting forum you'll find plenty of threads about people planning to, and joining, at ages older than 29.

[Petamocto]

Absolutely not too old.  I would think twice about joining the Infantry, but it's closed anyway and there are dozens of other Army jobs you could do.

Not to say that 29+ year olds haven't been successful in the Infantry in the past, it would just be much harder than 18-20 year olds doing the same work.

Many join even older than yourself, so go see the recruiting centre and see that suits you best.

I would advise picking a better reason to tell people there that you joined because your whole world was crashing around you ;-)  Maybe something about loving Canada and wanting to serve because you were inspired by media coverage (I'm an idealist).

[biostudent]

Hey,

I'm currently attending university working towards a  Ba. Sci Major in Biology . Due to issues which were out of my control, I was unable to start university until the age of 23. This brings about some complications and I may be close to , if not, thirty years old when I obtain my degree.

My question is as follows. At thirty would I be too old to qualify for the direct officer entry program? This is an option which I have been considering, the forces have always seemed interesting to me however I would prefer to take a position as an officer rather than an NCM.

Thank you for your time, and a big thank you to all those who are serving at home and abroad.

biostudent

[ModlrMike]

Thirty is not too old to become an officer. Many of my peers would say that thirty is about right.

[mariomike]

"At thirty would I be too old to qualify for the direct officer entry program?"

Just something I found on Google. Speak to a Recruiter to verify:
"there is no maximum age, but an applicant must be able to complete the terms of service offered on enrolment prior to the release age prescribed in QR&O Chapter 15, Release. Terms of service take into account restricted release policy, any obligatory service that may be incurred, and military occupation training."
http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/dao-doa/5000/5002-1-eng.asp

[gcclarke]

And, if you're wondering, the "release age" mentioned that is outlined in QR&Os Chapter 15 is, for all officers who commence their service as an officer of the regular force on or after 1 July 2004, 60 years of age. Sounds to me like plenty of time to get a career in.

[Technoviking]

Having seen a number of "older" candidates on officer training, no, 30 is not too old.  However, do not expect to rise above the rank of Captain.  If you do, you will not be in a position to command a company.  Most company commanders these days are around 30, so, you are behind them in those terms.

Having said that, there are many good positions to fill and your life experiences may assist you in your path, should you choose to do so.

[ajp]

I commissioned at 30+ and am quite happy with my current career path.  There are Tons of Older people joining the Officer Ranks.  I agree with TechnoVic that you may be limited in certain issues, but there are plenty of fulfilling tasks out there to keep you busy. 

[Sprinting Thistle]

Yes, if Inf is a choice, age will also impact whether the member commands a rifle company, attends staff college (Toronto or otherwise), gets promoted beyond major; all effecting future job choices.

[Dombi]

Yes, if Inf is a choice, age will also impact whether the member commands a rifle company, attends staff college (Toronto or otherwise), gets promoted beyond major; all effecting future job choices.

If I join at 35 as ACSO or Signals O, (this is what I hope will happen soon) my chances of getting Major or Lt. Col. are reduced ? Does my MBA can count for something in the promotion system and helps me in getting higher ranks ?

Thanks

[Technoviking]

If I join at 35 as ACSO or Signals O, (this is what I hope will happen soon) my chances of getting Major or Lt. Col. are reduced ? Does my MBA can count for something in the promotion system and helps me in getting higher ranks ?

Thanks

Yes, your promotion hinges entirely on your post-secondary education, because as officers, we aren't commanders or leaders, we are pencil-headed geeks [/sarcasm]

Actually, out of 100% potential score, an MBA may count for 1%, so I'm not saying it's useless, I'm just saying there it is.


As for getting to Major or LCol, age has nothing to do with it.  Age has everything to do with commanding a line unit or sub-unit.  If you join DEO at 35, and suppose that you are complete officer training at 36, you will then "normally" wait 8-12 years to become Major (44-48).  So, it's not really a matter of age, but of mathematics. 

[gcclarke]

If I join at 35 as ACSO or Signals O, (this is what I hope will happen soon) my chances of getting Major or Lt. Col. are reduced ? Does my MBA can count for something in the promotion system and helps me in getting higher ranks ?

Thanks

For ACSO, your educational qualifications can earn you up to 3 points out of 100 on the promotion board as both a Captain and a Major. I can't say for sure if your MBA would be worth the full 3 points, but I'd say you've got a decent chance of getting 2 points for it.

For SIGS, education is rated 4 points out of 100. For this one, at least for the promotion from Captain to Major, I think you have a decent chance of getting the full four points. SIGS is one of the trades that advertised sponsoring a position from their trade for a MBA in the most recent Post-Graduate Training Program message.

For both of these, this information is only valid until after you've been promoted to LCol. After that, things are rated differently.

[Tango2Bravo]

I was a 27 year old Troop Leader and now I am a 38 year old Squadron Commander.

Masters degrees can give extra points to promotion, but they really only factor into the promotion board.  For your file to reach that board you need to have three years of really good evaluations, and those usually come from having the right jobs. You get those good jobs by doing well at other important jobs in your brach (although non-combat arms folks seem to be a little more free and easy with career paths). All that to say that education and language can help but you absolutely need to do really well at the critical jobs for your branch before those extras kick in. Of course, if you lack education and second language you may well reach the boards based on performance but fall short due to those extra things.

You may not get to Chief of Defence Staff this life around, but I don't think that 30 is too old to join.

[biostudent]

Thank you all for your responses.

[Linny]

I am a 47 year old female taking steps to join CF. would be interested in any feedback from current Military ranks or others who joined at a later stage in life.
I am healthy, well educated, my first career was being a Mom to 3 kids, later acheived business management level; I think that I can make BMQ, although some areas would need improvement I am confident that I can work myself up to the required fitness level, I am in the gym 4-5 per week for the past year.
any advice or feedback for someone going in at my age? this is a strong desire I have to plant my feet in something solid, disciplined and ordered in life, something that serves, something other than just putting money in my pocket;
I have a bit of Military background, my father served in the Canadian Army while I grew  up, he was posted to nearly every base here in Canada, and posted for 3 years in Germany.
any feedback would be appreciated.

[PMedMoe]

Linny, try this thread to start:  http://forums.army.ca/forums/index.php/topic,91066.0.html

There are several other threads from people who have joined at an "advanced" age.  Also, for fitness tips, pointers, etc, look in the Physical Training & Standards sub-forum.  There are good threads there and really good ones "stickied" at the top.

Happy reading, enjoy the site and good luck!

[j_r_42]

I just finished BMOQ in December and there was a women the same age as you....so it is definitely possible..

best of luck!!

[Tetragrammaton]

Only joking.

As long as you are fully committed to the course, and baring physical injury, you will successfully complete the BMQ. A good level of cardiovascular endurance and being a good runner will serve you better than say superior upper body strength. The better physical shape you are in prior to the course will translate into an easier time during the course. Joining at 47 isn't significantly different than an experienced member of the same age having to pass the physical requirements to remain operational and employable.

A few years back a small group of us would have morning physical training together. Routinely, the highest performances were from our oldest member present, who was 48 at the time. No denying that age is a factor, but it is hardly the most important.

Best of luck with your future endeavors.

[Saja]

Age is just a number.  I myself, am an old"er" female (45 to be exact) who has just accepted my offer for RMS Clerk - Land and head to basic in St. Jean July 10th.  Determination and life experiences that we have as older applicants will serve us well in our newfound careers in the CF.  I am so pumped and excited to be moving on to a new chapter in my life, as is my family.

I am working hard on the physical aspects beforehand so that I am prepared for basic and am confident you can do it....Feel free to pm if you want to chat about the process I went through.  Best of Luck!!!!