How old were you when you first joined the military?

warchild_1950

Joined the Navy in 1969 at age 18. Saw the Bob Hope Christmas Show in Hue City Viet Nam on my 20th. Retired from the Army Res. at age 44. my Son completed Army Boot at 21yrs and returned from Iraq at age 24.At your age I would urge caution and not over- tax yourself. Good luck and a hearty WhoooAaaaahhh!! to ya. Warchild!

DaveH

UK Army -
Enlisted at 16yrs
Cold war (Germany) at 17.5 yrs
Hot war in the Falkland Islands at 20yrs

busseysmom

17, and the youngest girl in my unit. The older ones who had more experience under their belts were better able to handle the mental pressure, so you're at an advantage there. My 5 years of active duty was the most challenging time of my life physically and mentally, but also some of the best years of my life and I would do it again in a minute. (Note too though that this was during peace time.) Good luck to you!

Pampernator

I was 19 when I first decided to enlist. I had gotten my AA and had no more "real" motivation to go to school... So I decided to enlist. Most of the people that knew me when I was in middle school & high school never saw it coming... But it was the best decision. I'm just finishing up my BA now and I want to try and go officer eventually... but I'm glad I decided on enlisted first.

Go with it!!! I have much respect for you deciding to serve starting at the age of 39!!!

jrnh5150

I got to Ft.Benning, GA 6 days before my 24th birthday.

John W

I was 25, the year I graduated from college, that I enlisted in the navy. I grew up in a rural area and thought that the navy was a way of seeing more of the world. I was a little upset when the navy assigned me to the seabees and I ended up in Vietnam.

neeno

Spent my 19th birthday in receiving barracks at MCRD San Diego, spent my 42nd birthday somewhere in Iraq.

trop

I was drafted at age 20 back on 12/02/1969...I will never forget that day!

Bulldog

turned 20 in basic at fort Knox KY, i believe in service to ones country

wichitaor1

17 when I signed up, 18 when I went to bootcamp.

Nate

20 for me - education. did 6 yrs active, 6 reserve so far.

have fun is all the advice i got, and don't sweat the small stuff....oh and stay EDUCATED in EVERYTHING.

bjoyful0881

I joined when I was 20.. and felt old- I cant even imagine for you LOL- I will tell you its nice for some of us "older folks" to have ppl who are more mature in the lower ranks. It seems the majority of the military are between the ages of 18 and 24. It tends to keep more ppl in line when one of their peers is responsible. Good luck and congrats on everything :)
Im 26 and in the reserves now- Im much more comfortable there- most ppl are between 25 & 40.

Ray H

31.
I am also a 92 golf, the hardest job you'll ever love.
As for advice, just make sure you are ready for the physical training.

forever_knight101

I was 18 when I first enlisted and I'm glad I did it's a great career

b52gflyer

I arrived at Lackland AFB, TX when I was 23 and a half years old. Six weeks of basic training and I felt that I was 56 and a half years old. Then I went to Officers Training School for twelve weeks and thought I was 109. But when all was said and done I went back to my actual age. BTW I am 60 now.

pfcklenz

I was 19 when I signed up and 20 when I was in basic. Basic training was my favorite part about my experience in the Army. Shooting the m16 was the best for me. At least being an older gentlemen, PT shouldn't be that tuff, your standards will be lower. But best of luck to you,

Mephisto

5 days after my 17th bd......
41 now, hurry up and enlist so that I can get out....
there is no age for to old for anything...

Patches

signed up at 18 turned 19 in Parris Island, still not old enough to drink though ~_~. This was one of my dreams since i was a kid(5), I loved the military then and I'm glad I'm a Marine now. Good luck, basic is never easy but it can be done.

jack

I was seventeen!

Have a GREAT day!

I had my 18th Birthday at Ft Benning, GA.
I won't forget that one!

Gotta have more explosions!

I joined the Army Reserve at the tender age of 18. It's a decent age to join if you have enough work experience - I didn't, managed to squeak through the entry interviews and found recruit training harsh because of it.

Don't worry about joining at an old age. While older soldiers are usually not as fit as their younger compatriots, they also tend to be some of the most mature, knowledgeable, life and work experienced. It sounds like you're joining for the right reasons, so I recommend you go for it. Nobody will trouble you for being relatively old.

18 when I signed up for ROTC. Might be enlisting at 21 or 22

JEM

I joined the military when I was 17...don't know excatly why I joined, it just felt like the right thing to do. My nine years were outstanding and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. I'm no longer able to serve since I became disabled but I still work for the government serving which ever way I can.

Thanks for joining.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!!

angelosdad

I signed up for the Army when I was 17, and I left for basic when I was 18.

bosnmate820

I was 18 and joined a USNR unit before I even graduated HS.
I went to my graduation with my dress blues under my cap and gown. As soon as I had my diploma, i stripped off the gown and walked down the steps from the stage to a standing ovation.

axsooted

you are gonna hate it, sorry, that's the truth. the older you get the more set in your ways you get. most men past the age of 25 HATE their decision to join the military for two reasons:

1. your a man not a 17-18 year old boy and you expect to be treated as such. sorry, not going to happen until your about 2 years into it.
2. your a man not a 17-18 year old boy and you will be taking orders from 20-22 year olds. your lieutenant is going to be at most 25. the only guy your age is going to be E-7 and above and LT. COL. and above on the officer side and guess what, they will not give you the time of day.

if we weren't deploying NG just like the regular Army I would say it might not affect you as you would just have to deal with it 1 weekend a month 2 weeks a summer, but you will deal with it for months if not years at a time.
soldiering is a young mans game unless you have been in since you were a young man.

Edit: thumbs down me all you want, I was in and saw first hand how older recruits/service members coped...........not well. I was one of those 21-22 year old Sergeants giving orders to LCPL/CPL's in their late twenties and you had to handle them with kid gloves or they would shut right down due to their pride. I didnt serve with anyone in their 40's but i cant even imagine how they would respond to a "Motivated" order.

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