Non Prior - Almost 30 years old!

[cgrout22]

I graduated from business school in December, but I've been feeling the need to serve my country for a good two years. I turn 30 in July, so I'm basically here looking for words of wisdom from anyone who can relate to wanting to serve but feeling like I'm too old and foolish to think about it now.

Man when I was 17 years old and the center of my high school basketball squad, I was in primo shape. Nowadays, though, I probably couldn't run half a mile without falling over in spasms. Plus my knees pop a lot and my hair is already turning gray. BUT, I am 6'8, only 240 lbs (not too bad) and I can do 30 pushups/36 situps very easily. The running I'll figure out later. :)

Someone also needs to advise me on what to say to my wife of <2 yrs when I tell her I want to join the Army National Guard and she'll have to live in an empty house for 6 months!

Much love and respect to all the soldiers out there....

Chad

[andrew.tischner]

No you are not to fullish, I personaly know people that have joined 2-3 days before their 40th birthday, serving your country is a great honor and one a soldier can do every day in either a part time status or full time. With the wife you can tell her many things but for the training part the one incentive money wise is you will get seperation pay.

[cgrout22]

Thanks for your thoughts. She's becoming more and more supportive as the idea sinks in. Now it's going to be a matter of finding the right unit.

I'd always appreciate hearing experiences from soldiers about the Guard....especially those that are over 30 yrs old.

[DB35]

I'm 35 years old prior service navy and just enlisted tuesday in a 13b so go for it.

[Guard Life Sawyer]

I think its great you want to join. Iam 41 and would not trade this for anything else. I cannot describe the pride you will feel when you wear the uniform and look in the mirror at yourself. If your wife is like mine, very patriotic, she will be just as proud as you when she see's you in uniform. As for a unit choose one that offers a job skill that interests you so you wont be bored at drill. Too many times people choose a job for the bonus only and end up hating it and drill. The bonus is good, but the joy and pride of serving our community, state and country is better. One more thing, you can do anything you put your mind to, how bad do you want it and what are you willing to do for it. Good luck with everything!!!!

[Utah_Guardsman]

Hey... Im 35 (36 in October) and Im a British Citizen right now married to a US Citizen and I joined the guard. Took my wife a while too but she came around eventually. Go for it. I ship for BCT 12th September to FLW and even though I'll miss my wife, Im really looking forward to it

[Echo]

I graduated from business school in December, but I've been feeling the need to serve my country for a good two years. I turn 30 in July, so I'm basically here looking for words of wisdom from anyone who can relate to wanting to serve but feeling like I'm too old and foolish to think about it now.

Man when I was 17 years old and the center of my high school basketball squad, I was in primo shape. Nowadays, though, I probably couldn't run half a mile without falling over in spasms. Plus my knees pop a lot and my hair is already turning gray. BUT, I am 6'8, only 240 lbs (not too bad) and I can do 30 pushups/36 situps very easily. The running I'll figure out later. :)

Someone also needs to advise me on what to say to my wife of <2 yrs when I tell her I want to join the Army National Guard and she'll have to live in an empty house for 6 months!

Much love and respect to all the soldiers out there....

Chad

I did just the opposite... joined the Army @ 17... and then went in the Guard @ 31... good thing about that... I DID BASIC TRAINING AT 17!!!! :D

Just razzin' ya though... you old-timers will be fine (right up until the wife finds out!) :eek:

Seriously though... thanks for wanting to serve... Volunteer!

[lee258]

Tell your wife to pack her bags, no just kidding. But get with your local recruiter and find a unit that has a good family readiness group and you and your wife sit down with them and let them shed light on being married to a NAtional Guard member, sometimes this will help ease the mind of a spouse if they can hear how other spouses cope with the time that you are gone for training.