Army reserve prospect... UPDATE: I made it!!!!

[Triton8260]

The age cut off for physical therapists is 42. An age waiver is possible if they will grant it after 42 years of age. A woman I know is in the air force reserves, joined around age 50 with a waiver. She's a physician's assistant and they are in demand in the military. In my case there is no "get going". I have to wait until February to get a yes or no. The review panel meets only 1 time per year. Nothing I can do but have my ducks in a row and wait until then.

That mustve been when the war was in full swing. Theres no way they would grant that kind of age waiver now. Especially since there are a lot of younger PT people. Thays weird though. Only once a year? The other profs, enginie, law, and physicians meet several times a year. Must not be that much demand for PT.

But at any rate, good luck sir and I hope you get in!

[AregularGuy]

That mustve been when the war was in full swing. Theres no way they would grant that kind of age waiver now. Especially since there are a lot of younger PT people. Thays weird though. Only once a year? The other profs, enginie, law, and physicians meet several times a year. Must not be that much demand for PT.

But at any rate, good luck sir and I hope you get in!

Yes, it seems not a huge demand. The recruiter tells me they are only looking for 3 PT's this year. Physician assistants on the other hand are getting huge sign on bonuses. I guess one thing in my favor is that I don't know any PT's in the Reserves, and I've met a lot of people over the years througo work, and various conferences, etc. So maybe not so many are applying, I don't know. Thanks for the well wishes!

[Snoopy47]

The age cut off for physical therapists is 42. An age waiver is possible if they will grant it after 42 years of age.

So I actually got an "age waiver". My birthday was two weeks after I was selected for commissioning, and I got the waiver for a Logistical slot.

However, I was already "IN" the reserves at the time.

When I was looking to get in the age limit for everyone was 42, but the officer age of 42 only applied to the reserves at the time. The active component wasn't taking them that old.

Then I got a call from my recruiter telling me they lowered the officer entrance age (for those trying to get in the USAR) down to 30, and I had two weeks to enlist because they are lowering that too down to 35. I was 38 at the time.

Sooooo, I enlisted, got in the system, and then at that moment started the clock again because the direct commission age limit is 42 (for those currently USAR soldiers), but you already have to be in the reserves.

I went to basic just after I turned 39, jumped through a bunch of hoops and was able to submit a direct commission package just as I turned 41.

I wasn't selected the first time around because I was an E4, and was trying to get a Military Intelligence commission.

I submitted again the following year essentially my exact same packed with updated letters of references. The USAR upped the anti a little bit, and instead of getting letters of references from any officers, two of them had to be my Company Commander, and my Battalion Commander.

The Intel Branch this last year had NO vacancies. So I went for a Hail Mary and selected the branch that had over 100 vacancies in California alone.

At the time I submitted my package I didn't request an age waiver (my Accessions NCO and me were simply crossing our fingers I'd slip through). So a few weeks before the selection board (at Fort Knox) met I got an e-mail (while I was deployed) and I had to compose an Age Waiver Request memo (it was accepted).

I was able to get the age waiver:
1) I was an E5 by then with the Army Achievement medal as my highest award and nearly three years on active orders.
2) I had a deployment now under my belt.
3) I selected the MOS and Branch that the USAR is simply never ever going to be able to fill 100% and has high turn over.
4) When I got the age waiver I had just turned 42 after the board met, and was only asking for a few weeks of a waiver and not years and years.

I of course can't say I know anything about the medical officer process.

I can say when I was in the system with a Master's degree I couldn't get selected for Intelligence Officer at the time they had 12 vacancies, but I could get in when they had over 100 vacancies.

I'm just saying at our age you need to stack the deck in your favor as much as you can. If they are giving bonuses for Physician Assistants I would jump all over that. It's an indicator there are a lot of positions open.

In fact I got a $10K no strings attached cash bonus for Logistical Officer. I wasn't even seeking it.

[Snoopy47]

The age cut off for physical therapists is 42. An age waiver is possible if they will grant it after 42 years of age.

So I actually got an "age waiver". My birthday was two weeks after I was selected for commissioning, and I got the waiver for a Logistical slot.

However, I was already "IN" the reserves at the time.

When I was looking to get in the age limit for everyone was 42, but the officer age of 42 only applied to the reserves at the time. The active component wasn't taking them that old.

Then I got a call from my recruiter telling me they lowered the officer entrance age (for those trying to get in the USAR) down to 30, and I had two weeks to enlist because they are lowering that too down to 35. I was 38 at the time.

Sooooo, I enlisted, got in the system, and then at that moment started the clock again because the direct commission age limit is 42 (for those currently USAR soldiers), but you already have to be in the reserves.

I went to basic just after I turned 39, jumped through a bunch of hoops and was able to submit a direct commission package just as I turned 41.

I wasn't selected the first time around because I was an E4, and was trying to get a Military Intelligence commission.

I submitted again the following year essentially my exact same packed with updated letters of references. The USAR upped the anti a little bit, and instead of getting letters of references from any officers, two of them had to be my Company Commander, and my Battalion Commander.

The Intel Branch this last year had NO vacancies. So I went for a Hail Mary and selected the branch that had over 100 vacancies in California alone.

At the time I submitted my package I didn't request an age waiver (my Accessions NCO and me were simply crossing our fingers I'd slip through). So a few weeks before the selection board (at Fort Knox) met I got an e-mail (while I was deployed) and I had to compose an Age Waiver Request memo (it was accepted).

I was able to get the age waiver:
1) I was an E5 by then with the Army Achievement medal as my highest award and nearly three years on active orders.
2) I had a deployment now under my belt.
3) I selected the MOS and Branch that the USAR is simply never ever going to be able to fill 100% and has high turn over.
4) When I got the age waiver I had just turned 42 after the board met, and was only asking for a few weeks of a waiver and not years and years.

I of course can't say I know anything about the medical officer process.

I can say when I was in the system with a Master's degree I couldn't get selected for Intelligence Officer at the time they had 12 vacancies, but I could get in when they had over 100 vacancies.

I'm just saying at our age you need to stack the deck in your favor as much as you can. If they are giving bonuses for Physician Assistants I would jump all over that. It's an indicator there are a lot of positions open.

In fact I got a $10K no strings attached cash bonus for Logistical Officer. I wasn't even seeking it.

[Triton8260]

So I actually got an "age waiver". My birthday was two weeks after I was selected for commissioning, and I got the waiver for a Logistical slot.

However, I was already "IN" the reserves at the time.

When I was looking to get in the age limit for everyone was 42, but the officer age of 42 only applied to the reserves at the time. The active component wasn't taking them that old.

Then I got a call from my recruiter telling me they lowered the officer entrance age (for those trying to get in the USAR) down to 30, and I had two weeks to enlist because they are lowering that too down to 35. I was 38 at the time.

Sooooo, I enlisted, got in the system, and then at that moment started the clock again because the direct commission age limit is 42 (for those currently USAR soldiers), but you already have to be in the reserves.

I went to basic just after I turned 39, jumped through a bunch of hoops and was able to submit a direct commission package just as I turned 41.

I wasn't selected the first time around because I was an E4, and was trying to get a Military Intelligence commission.

I submitted again the following year essentially my exact same packed with updated letters of references. The USAR upped the anti a little bit, and instead of getting letters of references from any officers, two of them had to be my Company Commander, and my Battalion Commander.

The Intel Branch this last year had NO vacancies. So I went for a Hail Mary and selected the branch that had over 100 vacancies in California alone.

At the time I submitted my package I didn't request an age waiver (my Accessions NCO and me were simply crossing our fingers I'd slip through). So a few weeks before the selection board (at Fort Knox) met I got an e-mail (while I was deployed) and I had to compose an Age Waiver Request memo (it was accepted).

I was able to get the age waiver:
1) I was an E5 by then with the Army Achievement medal as my highest award and nearly three years on active orders.
2) I had a deployment now under my belt.
3) I selected the MOS and Branch that the USAR is simply never ever going to be able to fill 100% and has high turn over.
4) When I got the age waiver I had just turned 42 after the board met, and was only asking for a few weeks of a waiver and not years and years.

I of course can't say I know anything about the medical officer process.

I can say when I was in the system with a Master's degree I couldn't get selected for Intelligence Officer at the time they had 12 vacancies, but I could get in when they had over 100 vacancies.

I'm just saying at our age you need to stack the deck in your favor as much as you can. If they are giving bonuses for Physician Assistants I would jump all over that. It's an indicator there are a lot of positions open.

In fact I got a $10K no strings attached cash bonus for Logistical Officer. I wasn't even seeking it.

The OP cant just jump all over being a PA. Its totally different from being a PT. That's like telling an accounting professional to go join up as an explosives engineer because they dont have accounting spots.

[AregularGuy]

So I actually got an "age waiver". My birthday was two weeks after I was selected for commissioning, and I got the waiver for a Logistical slot.

However, I was already "IN" the reserves at the time.

When I was looking to get in the age limit for everyone was 42, but the officer age of 42 only applied to the reserves at the time. The active component wasn't taking them that old.

Then I got a call from my recruiter telling me they lowered the officer entrance age (for those trying to get in the USAR) down to 30, and I had two weeks to enlist because they are lowering that too down to 35. I was 38 at the time.

Sooooo, I enlisted, got in the system, and then at that moment started the clock again because the direct commission age limit is 42 (for those currently USAR soldiers), but you already have to be in the reserves.

I went to basic just after I turned 39, jumped through a bunch of hoops and was able to submit a direct commission package just as I turned 41.

I wasn't selected the first time around because I was an E4, and was trying to get a Military Intelligence commission.

I submitted again the following year essentially my exact same packed with updated letters of references. The USAR upped the anti a little bit, and instead of getting letters of references from any officers, two of them had to be my Company Commander, and my Battalion Commander.

The Intel Branch this last year had NO vacancies. So I went for a Hail Mary and selected the branch that had over 100 vacancies in California alone.

At the time I submitted my package I didn't request an age waiver (my Accessions NCO and me were simply crossing our fingers I'd slip through). So a few weeks before the selection board (at Fort Knox) met I got an e-mail (while I was deployed) and I had to compose an Age Waiver Request memo (it was accepted).

I was able to get the age waiver:
1) I was an E5 by then with the Army Achievement medal as my highest award and nearly three years on active orders.
2) I had a deployment now under my belt.
3) I selected the MOS and Branch that the USAR is simply never ever going to be able to fill 100% and has high turn over.
4) When I got the age waiver I had just turned 42 after the board met, and was only asking for a few weeks of a waiver and not years and years.

I of course can't say I know anything about the medical officer process.

I can say when I was in the system with a Master's degree I couldn't get selected for Intelligence Officer at the time they had 12 vacancies, but I could get in when they had over 100 vacancies.

I'm just saying at our age you need to stack the deck in your favor as much as you can. If they are giving bonuses for Physician Assistants I would jump all over that. It's an indicator there are a lot of positions open.

In fact I got a $10K no strings attached cash bonus for Logistical Officer. I wasn't even seeking it.

Thanks for the heads up and info. So far my recruiter doesn't seem too concerned with my age, for whatever that's worth. In terms of how they select applicants I'm in the dark. If it were simply education and experience then I'd be golden. If it's a matter of meeting minimum qualifications then age or some other intangible I have no advantages over other applicants.

[Mr.Caketown]

PA is always in high depend because you need more of those. In our brigade it was like 8-10 Physician Assistants and 1 Physical Therapy person , every Batallion needs a PA but not a PT

This thread makes me want to consider joining the AF reserves tho , If I wasnt med dropped for Asthma & Army prior service I would so be back on it

[Snoopy47]

If it's a matter of meeting minimum qualifications then age or some other intangible I have no advantages over other applicants.

That's all it is. It's check the boxes for what slot you are filling. All that extra experience you bring means nothing if the specific vacancy doesn't require it, and there isn't a box to check to indicate that you have that extra experience.

[geoint]

Across the board in the Army, expect Death by PowerPoint, APFT every 90-180 days, Weapons Qual twice a year, lazy sh*tbags, overly motivated soldiers, LTs that don't know what they are doing, police calls, waking up early, and a host of other things.

You forgot idiot NCOs and officers with useless degrees who are only there because its better than the only other thing they'd be qualified for in the real world- flipping burgers. Otherwise, very accurate list.

[geoint]

Well, I met with a medical recruiter. The meeting did not go well in my opinion. The person I met with was not prepared, less than professional, and did not really have much info for me. I would be happy to give more details in a pm if someone wants. Perhaps there are recruiters on here who can help.

If you join the military, that is something you will have to get used to

Ultimately, they are all government employees so working hard for a bonus is replaced by 'they better not touch my retirement benefits' mentality. This is probably the only place in the world where I am for gov pensions but still, a lot of lifers Ive met are complete POSs who do not deserve them. AKA people who never deploy, get profiles to avoid PT, do other dishonorable ****...etc.

[CrazyCobraManTim]

Good luck with your potential selection in Feb! As Danny mentioned on pg 1, there is another option for individuals who can't make the age requirements. The CSMR will take enlisted or officer applicants, prior service or not. It is not the big Army, USAR or the NG, but it scratches the itch for many people. We only deploy inside the state, and primarily when the Guard gets called up (Title 10).

[AregularGuy]

Good luck with your potential selection in Feb! As Danny mentioned on pg 1, there is another option for individuals who can't make the age requirements. The CSMR will take enlisted or officer applicants, prior service or not. It is not the big Army, USAR or the NG, but it scratches the itch for many people. We only deploy inside the state, and primarily when the Guard gets called up (Title 10).

Thank you. I will definitely keep it in mind if things don't go my way in February.

[AregularGuy]

Hi all. Here's the latest update. I am in the final stages of making sure I have all of the required info on my application packet before we submit it for review. For anyone contemplating going through this be prepared to list three professional references and three character references, along with three written letters of reference, oh, and every piece of paper that pertains to your professional career! We're getting close so hopefully I'll have good news in a month or so.

[AregularGuy]

New update for anyone that is following this. I had an interview recently with 2 senior PTs. There are 20 applicants for 2 spots. For anyone who thinks you can just walk into a recruiter and get signed up for this job, think again. It would be a bummer for me to turned down after all of the waiting and anticipation. So far I'm hopeful.

[1Archie76]

It depends, how old are you? The age limit is 34 at the moment. Honestly, I would recommend you go Active Duty or Army National Guard. I'm currently a reservist, and I hate it. The Army Reserves is the lowest on the military totem pole, we get the oldest beat up gear, and the least funding. If I could do it all over, I would be active duty.

That aside, if you go through with either the NG or AR, you'll go to Basic and AIT which will range anywhere between 4 months to 1 year depending on your MOS. You'll be working one weekend a month, typically saturday and sunday, although some drills depending on your unit, may include a friday. You also have the yearly 2-3 week Annual Training.

During Basic Training expect a lot of yelling, physical activity, lack of sleep, buddy f**ckers, and no privacy.

Generally when you get back to your unit everything, it will be very relaxed, , random details, pretty much doing nothing.

Across the board in the Army, expect Death by PowerPoint, APFT every 90-180 days, Weapons Qual twice a year, lazy sh*tbags, overly motivated soldiers, LTs that don't know what they are doing, police calls, waking up early, and a host of other things.

Damn and I thought the Guard is lowest on the military totem pole.