Tips for joining military at an older age?

[Anonymous]

So I’ve been wanting to join the military for a while but do to some family issues I had decided that at the time it would be best if I stayed and took care of that first. Now that I am comfortable and confident with leaving I’m not so sure on how to prepare, I’ve already talked to a recruiter and plan to join late spring early summer of next year. With that being said I’m in the “ older side” of people enlisting, being that I’m 28this year. I know I can do all the requirements to get in the Navy, and army. How can I keep my confidence up while having to run and work out next younger people?
I used to play basketball and had a basketball scholarship so I’m used to competition just wonder if there was anything besides that to use.

[MTC29]

You will be 8 to 10 years older than the other recruits. Whether they accept and treat you as a sort of big sister remains to be seen.

The women your own age will be commissioned or noncommissioned officers who will not associate with you.

Good luck.

[Dinklex3]

Join the Air Force 😛

Start training and running now so you don't injure yourself at BMT. I was 24 when I joined. My bff at bmt was 19, but I had friends that were my age and 29-33. No one really cares how old you are unless you make it an issue. Just do your best. I'm used to short distance sprinting, but I was just fine. My friend who is 33 outruns me all the time 😅

Have fun! By the time you join I'll be separating 👋🏾

[ArrowheadSW]

So when you join now a days, is it for 4 years? And then 2 years for each re-enlistment?

[Dinklex3]

@ArrowheadSW You can chose 4 or 6 years. Re enlistment is 4 and 6 as well.

[ArrowheadSW]

Ah OK. I know a lady who was in for 6 years, but I was always under the impression that the initial enlistment was 4 years, and the re-enlistment was 2 years. She did administrative type work. She liked it but not enough to go past 6 years.

And many years ago I was dating a lady who was finishing up 20 years in the AF. But I never asked her about that. Our relationship was such that we only saw each other every 3-4 weeks and then she had to temporarily re-locate, and at that point we split up. It was already long distance and that made it more long distance. LOL

[Avicenna]

Running is important in the Army, so you might want to do some distance running (try to run four miles at a time tempo run). Also look at the PT test standards so you can see what will be expected of you. Keeping your weight down, if applicable, also helps greatly.

[STA50]

Work out a bunch, being fit is very important in the army, your reflexes and span is important to bruv