boot question, age

[27east]

Hey all,
New to the forum and had a couple of questions.
I had a chance a few months back to enter the ANG and stepped back after the asvab. Im 32 years old and in decent shape. Due to my age though I got scared about boot camp. Not because of the work that comes with it but because of the drill instructors. Many of you going in or coming out are young men and women, 17-25 or so. Here Iam 32 years old and wonder are there any others like me in boot camp?
Do the Drill instructors feed on the older guys. My brother who was a Marine said that he would be ripping into me because of my age. To be honest I want to do this for myself, my family and to see if I can. But if Im going to go there and just be a daily laughing stock I would rather not.
What is your feedback I would appreciate it.

Also, I was looking to get into 68x. I have worked in the field now for over 5 years and plenty of experience but my recruiter said that he could not get me in and would have to place me in 18 bravo I believe it was. Which I believe is infantry. Well, this is a totally different MOS wouldnt you say?
Should I hold my ground for the job I want ?

[PFC Lowe]

18B is a special forces weapons sergeant. 11B is infantry.

In my BCT/AIT we had 3 people over 35 and yes, they did occasionally catch flack from the DS about their age, but it was all in fun. Don't take anything personal during training as those DS will likely not even remember you come next cycle.

[mryan525]

68X is a Mental Health Specialist. Like Lowe said, 18B is an SF Weapons Sergeant.. I see a disconnect here.. are you sure these are the correct MOS's?

Even if you meant 11B.. regular ol infantry.. that's still significantly different then a medical support role.

I'd say it would depend on what you are joining the Guard for... if you want the specific job skill that comes with 68X then go for that.. if you just want to serve/wear the uniform/whatever then obviously a specific MOS is not as important to you.


There were oldies in my BCT 3 years ago.. you're not unique in your situation. You are not the first to do this nor will you be the last. I'm not busting your chops, but there are bigger things to worry about when you are considering service... whether DS's will pick on you for a few weeks out of your life should be a nonissue.

[Hospitaller]

Hey there!

Just wanted to let you know that I'm 32, and slotted to ship to BCT on the 22nd of Sept.

If you ask me...us old guys have some advantages over the younger ones! As the others have said...Age is the least of your worries.

Drop me a PM if you'd like some insight form a fellow 32 yr old...married, and w/ 3 kids. :)

[27east]

68X is a Mental Health Specialist. Like Lowe said, 18B is an SF Weapons Sergeant.. I see a disconnect here.. are you sure these are the correct MOS's?

Even if you meant 11B.. regular ol infantry.. that's still significantly different then a medical support role.

I'd say it would depend on what you are joining the Guard for... if you want the specific job skill that comes with 68X then go for that.. if you just want to serve/wear the uniform/whatever then obviously a specific MOS is not as important to you.


There were oldies in my BCT 3 years ago.. you're not unique in your situation. You are not the first to do this nor will you be the last. I'm not busting your chops, but there are bigger things to worry about when you are considering service... whether DS's will pick on you for a few weeks out of your life should be a nonissue.


Hi there yes I meant 11B and yes that was my debate. I wanted mental health 68x but the recruiter turned around later stating they would have to place me in 11b for now and then move me later into 68x because he didnt have it open right now.

[jmclaughlin1701]

31 year old here with two kids. Not only am I going to have to put up with the DS's poo, I am slated for OCS and from what I hear, the TACS are insane.

Age should not be a deciding factor. It's all a mind game and really, you have should have enough maturity and experience on your side to see right through it all....

Go in, have fun, serve.

[SteveLord]

I know old farts are so scared of this....but really, you're not the first ones.

[shortnsweet8]

I went to BCT in 2004 and we had a handful of folks who were 30+. One male in our platoon turned 33 while in BCT, he was very squared away and was even made platoon leader. The younger kids in the platoon nicknamed him Dad (didn't help his wife had their 4th kid right in the middle of BCT, so he missed it).

The older ones didn't catch any extra flak from the DS. The young kids did. We were the first summer cycle that year, over 80% of our company were 17, I am not joking. Not saying that all people around that age are immature, but my goodness it was pathetic. They were always getting us smoked.

As long as you enlist with the right frame of mind as to why you are doing it, that is all that matters. You can hack DSs for the 8 or 9 weeks (whatever BCT is now).

[Mom's Mistake]

I wouldn't worry about it. Afterall, many of your NCOs and officers are going to be younger than you when you're done with BCT anyhow. I've known some that look up to us older folks because they think we're wiser...especially if we have prior experience.

I'm lucky that I don't have to do BCT considering I'm prior Marine, but I am 30 now and trying to get into the ARNG after an 8 year break in service. I remember in Marine boot camp one of the older "recruits" was a decorated Desert Storm Army vet and the Drill Instructors (sergeants) actually made him the Company Honorman instead of ripping on him. Not to mention he left boot camp an E3 where most of us were lucky if we left as an E2. Mind you this was back in 1998.

So if the DS rips on you a little for your age, like the rest here are saying...don't take it personally. Either he's doing it all in good fun just to see if he can get a reaction out of you...or he's just ignorant. Either way, you're still the wiser. ;)

[jrm1988]

Whil you're at bootcamp....

Never take any "ripping" from the DS personal... It'll make things a lot harder if you do.

[Nathan]

I'm 32, as well, and welcome anything they can throw at me. I think you're being a little too sensitive. Just "roll with the punches," don't take anything personally, and you'll be fine,

[SteveLord]

I think you'd be surprised how many kids show up there in bad shape.

[knelson]

32 here as well, I turn 33 the day before I ship to BCT. Honestly, I'm not too worried about my age being an issue, but its good to see some fellow "old-timers" on here getting ready to head to basic soon!

[clyde]

I'll be 35 2 weeks after I arrive at Basic. I just spent 2 weeks at FTU (fitness training) at FT Indiantown Gap. I was the oldest in the group and the next oldest was 22. I got zero from the DS. The worst rousing I got was while playing volleyball DS said, "I didn't know this was the senior league" I laughed then served the ball right to him. Scored the first point for our team :D The platoon gave me the nickname Pops (It was kinda of funny). Only had 1 or 2 problems with immature teens but it goes with the territory. And yes, you will be very surprised how out of shape the younger guys really are.

When someone would get on be because of my age, I'd just say, "ok let's take it to the track. Last one to finish a 5 mile run is the old man." I still don't know why no one wanted to take me up on that offer :confused: When the DS said some smart comment about my age or physical condition I would flash a big smile and agree with them. Then I was ready to prove him wrong. Over the 2 weeks, I was keeping pace with the DS while the "young-uns" were pooping out/quitting and wishing they could be done. I would finish with the DS every time! Even if I was exhausted (I'm no PT Stud either) I never quit. I received a lot of respect from the cadre as well as my peers in the platoon.

[PFC West]

I'm 32 was in BCT/ AIT from Jan. to May with age comes wisdom and maturity you will definatley have and advantage when it comes to listening to the DS I know all the older guys in my platoon would get upset with the younger crowd as they would always be the ones to get us in trouble

[matthew.ritchie]

The vibe I'm getting from Soldiers returning from Basic in the past few years is that on average, the older guys get less hassle from the DS. Older Soldiers are less likely to do something stupid, hence the DS has less reason to scrutinize them.

Here's the "dead link removed by moderator". I think he's about 28-ish, so his experiences may enlighten you.

[WIBecky74]

I turned 33 in bct. It was all good. Everyone gets picked on once in awhile, it is part of the game. They had more trust in the older ones as long as you hadnt done anything to make them distrust you. I might have gotten away with a few things. :) Nothing that had to do with training though.

I can say I dont think I came out of initial training much different than going in. The game doesnt seem to work as well if you are more set in your ways. I didnt feel I was broken down and brought back up. I might fold my socks somewhat different now, thats about it.

[27east]

Thank you all for the encouraging words.
Now to get my 68x job squared away and it will be all good.

[mackilvane]

Here's the "Dead link removed by moderator". I think he's about 28-ish, so his experiences may enlighten you.

That is one of the most comprehensive blogs I've ever read on Basic/AIT. I have to admit, it had me riveted. Thank you for pointing out this resource sir.

[dsrtshrk]

Once I finally get my contract and ship, which will be early next year, I will be turning 32 half way through BCT. In my opinion, I would rather go in with the experience that I have rather than when I was 18. I am in better shape now than I was then and have a lot of experience in my years than those of the younger crowd. I am actually looking forward to showing some of the youngins up. I am already in post boot camp readiness and still have a few months to prepare. I say "bring it on". But this is also a challenge that I've set for myself and am looking forward to finally having the opportunity to serve my country and am looking to this as being my secondary career. I think going in at your age is going to be more of a positive thing than a negative one, but that would depend on you and your outlook. Whatever you choose, good luck.

[knave]

I just graduated from Ft Jackson last weekend and at 35 was one of the oldest soldiers there. There were a few coments the first day in reception about us old folks but really after that the Drill Sgt's never mentioned it much.

I found that I mentioned it to the younger soldiers more often than not as I joked about being the "old guy" and being sore or whatnot.

I had no trouble keeping up with the youngsters...in fact many of them had trouble keeping up with me. That and being more mature I knew how to stay out of trouble.

So don't worry about it. I too was worried about catching flack due to my age but it was unfounded. heck, I was also worried about getting messed with for being an officer candidate, but really since I was squared away I was left alone "mostly". Everyone gets it sometime or another.