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[msternin]

Blitz, I'm definitely not in shape for it but that's my goal. Any advice? Most people have said focus on cardio and calisthenics and not to worry about lifting weights too much since all the PT tests are done at body weight anyway.

The APFT consists of 2 mins of push-ups, 2 mins of sit-ups and a 2 mile run. I'd start by focusing on those three elements. You should give yourself an initial assessment by performing the test and note the number of reps per event and your run time. Google "DA 705" which is a standard Army PT scorecard. A portion of the card will have the age brackets and scoring. Go from there.

You'll also do some rucking in BCT. If you don't have a ruck, start by filling a backpack with rice and incrementally add weight as you are able to progress. - Yes I said rice. I have nearly 80 lbs worth in various sizes ranging up to a 25 lb bag. Rice is inexpensive and forms nicely to your back when put in a backpack. I use my issued 3-day assault pack and my issued ruck.

The Army standard for rucking is a 4 mph, which is a 15 minute mile generally with a 35 lb pack, dry meaning without your water source(s).

[I Swan]

We had someone who was 30 and we thought he was ancient he had previously served in the French Army. Wasn't the Army taking people up to 42 at one point? I think I heard about some fathers and sons enlisting at same time.

[MRX9989]

It is entirely possible to join the Army and become an officer at 30 or older. I recommend you contact a recruiter to learn the current body fat percentage allowed for entry into basic training as well as the current commissioning age ceiling.

[ARgomez]

be in shape before you sign up and be ready to be called OLD MAN by your Sergeants and all the 18 year olds.

[Mr.Caketown]

Blitz, I'm definitely not in shape for it but that's my goal. Any advice? Most people have said focus on cardio and calisthenics and not to worry about lifting weights too much since all the PT tests are done at body weight anyway.

Strengthen your traps ... it will help on those long road marches with body armor + ruck. I didnt do it and ended up feeling sore after the 12k and 20k

[Snoopy47]

It is entirely possible to join the Army and become an officer at 30 or older. I recommend you contact a recruiter to learn the current body fat percentage allowed for entry into basic training as well as the current commissioning age ceiling.

You need to be in excellent shape. My cholesterol levels almost derailed my officer packet. Get yours checked before the army does it. Once they do there's no going back once they know.

Isn't body fat only a consideration if the candidate is outside the height weight standards? I've never had my body fat calculated. I've always been below the max weight for my height.

One can direct commission up until they are 42 in the Reserves. If you are more than 41.5 years of age at the time of the selection board you will need an age waiver.

[Snoopy47]

Wasn't the Army taking people up to 42 at one point?

They were, and lowered back down to 35 for enlistment, and 30 for officer. It's how I sneaked in at 38, 3 days before the age change took effect.

[brando]

One of the most impressive NCOs I ever met in my Army years joined late in life too at 31. He enlisted as an infantryman, went to airborne school and then to the 3rd Ranger bn when they activated in 1984. When I met him he was in his early 40s, had jumped into Panama and fought in Mogadishu, climbing the ladder of SOF units along the way. He made a point that if he had joined younger, he wouldn't have had the motivation and drive to get where he did. On top of that, he was significantly more mature and in better control of his life.

So there's nothing wrong starting in your 30s. The only potential hiccup today is that you'll be starting a career dominated by professionals with lots of combat experience, when you'll likely see very little.

[Tacit Blue]

The better question is what is your overall goal for the military aside from the desire to serve?

What MOS did you have in mind?, Edit I see medical. You could go Army 68W Combat Medic or the USAF has a really great gig going on now called " AE" or Aeromedical Evacuation. In essence a flying ICU or intensive care unit flying soldiers,marines back from Afghanistan to military hospitals.

Believe me, I find Air Force rank and culture to be confusing. But having Aero Medical experience is awesome. You could become a flight Paramedic for a life flight service, assuming you can pass Paramedic school later on after the service.

[kdglock]

Hey man just do it, I joined when I was 37, joined the Army, distinguished honor graduate beat all the young ins during AIT, went active for 4 years then the CA national guard for 2, I am out now, went back to school got my masters and landed a sweet GS11 job for the government due to last year they were only hiring vets. I can proudly say that all of this was contributed to me being in the military. My only advice would be to go active, 1000x the benefits; best of luck to you, only drawback was I had to leave my wife and son here for 4 years during active duty due to her job but your situation may be different.

[coryhenry]

The APFT consists of 2 mins of push-ups, 2 mins of sit-ups and a 2 mile run. I'd start by focusing on those three elements. You should give yourself an initial assessment by performing the test and note the number of reps per event and your run time. Google "DA 705" which is a standard Army PT scorecard. A portion of the card will have the age brackets and scoring. Go from there.

You'll also do some rucking in BCT. If you don't have a ruck, start by filling a backpack with rice and incrementally add weight as you are able to progress. - Yes I said rice. I have nearly 80 lbs worth in various sizes ranging up to a 25 lb bag. Rice is inexpensive and forms nicely to your back when put in a backpack. I use my issued 3-day assault pack and my issued ruck.

The Army standard for rucking is a 4 mph, which is a 15 minute mile generally with a 35 lb pack, dry meaning without your water source(s).

Unfortunately I get new soldiers all the time that passed basic without passing the APFT, not being able to shoot and don't have very many soldier skills. I then get slammed for the next year as I am responsible for bringing them up to what used to be the minimum standards.

I disagree the Guard is more transferable to civilian life. The Reserves has more logistics and support MOS's that have more applicability in civilian careers.

[MRX9989]

I agree about the readiness requirements. My biggest issues as a company commander are soldiers who graduate from AIT and somehow forget to stay fit and also rapidly become medically non-deployable. I don't mind teaching soldiers how to shoot or function as a fire team member. I teach them to drive again regardless of what they learned in 88M school.

The guard has a large amount of logistics units. The CA ARNG alone has a sustainment brigade, two CSSBs, two BSBs, and countless FSCs and other support companies. The high level of cooperation with state civilian entities also translates well to follow-on careers.

[ChuckDizzle]

Unless you are a crossfit athlete, martial arts competitor, or some other person who is beyond even "good shape" by civilian standards leave it to the young guys. It isn't necessarily a drive or will thing it is simply that boot camp tends ti be a beat down on your body and at 33 your body will not recover as fast. Your feet probably aren't ready for marching, exercising, and training in combat boots all day. You will likely get some kind of major cold or flu while living in close quarters of the barracks. All these things are tough to deal with at over 30 compared to 20. We had several cops/fire fighter and prior 30+ guys in our BCT company, all left with broken backs and knees despite being very motivated and good soldiers.

[Snoopy47]

We had several cops/fire fighter and prior 30+ guys in our BCT company, all left with broken backs and knees despite being very motivated and good soldiers.

Yep, I was 39 when I hit BCT, and was the 3rd oldest. The other two broke down. One got discharged medically, and the other one recycled, and I crossed her path at AIT when I was graduating, and she was just getting to AIT.

I got really sick, and had to force myself through the BS. The breakdown of the other two clearly indicated to me I just need to jump through the hoops and get MOS qualified. Nothing matters. I have a MBA and CFA, who gives a crap if I finish top in my class at BCT against teenagers. All that matters is just getting GO's on all needed training tests.


Drill SGT's yell and freak out, and you never do enough push ups for them. So it's basically "ehhhhh, whatever, I pass APFT just fine so nothing they say means anything".

[Sunday]

Why would you want to join the services? You should have better cognitive abilities developed by now. The military is for those who haven't planned their lives out better through high school or want to develop special skills like learning aircraft skills and certain trade skills.