What to Know About Joining the Military Later in Life

While most people join the military right after high school or college, there are some who decide to serve in our military later in their lives. The military lets people join later in life, but there are age restrictions for each branch. Most branches let you join up until 41 or 42, but the Marines has a maximum age of 28. However, you can receive a waiver, especially if you have previous military experience or a unique and desirable skillset. 

If you’re thinking about joining the military later in your life, you may not be sure how to proceed. In this blog, we’ll provide you with tips to help you successfully join the military at a later stage in your life and help you thrive in your future career. 

9 Tips for Joining the Military Later in Your Life

Joining the military at any stage is an honorable choice, but there are important things to consider and do if you’re joining later in life. Check out our tips to help you join successfully and excel in your career. 

1. Stay Honest and Evaluate Your Motivations

Think about why you want to join the military at this stage in your life. Maybe you want a career change or have a desire to serve your country, or maybe you just need a change of pace. Figure out your reasoning and have realistic expectations going in so you don’t set the bar too high and end up disappointed. 

If the only reason you want to join is because you’re running out of other options, it’s okay to be honest about that. You’re not alone, and many people join the military for the same reason. Just be as honest with yourself about that so you can set realistic expectations and navigate any potential disappointments. 

2. Get Physically Fit

As adults, it’s easy to lose track of time or fall behind on our physical fitness routine, especially as we develop more responsibilities. Before you enlist and get shipped off to basic, you’ll want to start working out again and increase your physical fitness, since you will need to keep up with younger recruits and be able to handle the physically demanding challenges of the military. Try to strive for peak performance when you’re working out so you’re not just meeting the bare minimum physical fitness requirements.

3. Be Ready to Learn

You will be learning a lot during your time in the military, so you need to be open to learning new things. You’ll have a lot of classroom time and opportunities for hands-on learning, and it’s okay if it takes you a second to grasp information you’re unfamiliar with. Try to stay positive and see every opportunity to learn as a chance to improve yourself. Be open to adapting, even if you’re used to doing things a certain way or think there’s a better way to do something.

4. Respect Rank and Military Structure

When you join the military later in life, you’ll likely end up taking orders from people who are younger than you, sometimes significantly. You will have to respect someone’s rank, even if they’re much younger than you and giving you orders. Respect their experience on the job. Following the military structure is essential if you want to excel in your career. 

5. Know That There Will Be Challenges

Adjusting to military life can be difficult, and the first week of basic training may be one of the hardest weeks of your new career. Your age may even play a factor in how you’re perceived by other recruits, which can pose its own challenges. Make sure you have a support system you can rely on when things get hard. Be mentally prepared to encounter various challenges during basic training and throughout your career, but don’t be afraid to ask for help if things become too overwhelming. 

6. Use Your Strengths

As someone who’s older, you have some strengths that can benefit your career over someone freshly out of high school or college, such as maturity, a strong work ethic, decision-making skills, and emotional intelligence. These strengths can help you excel in your career, and you can use your age to become a positive role model to the younger recruits you join with. Depending on your previous education or experience, you may be able to work in certain occupations that are more suited to your skills. 

7. Get Help When You Need It

If you need help, there are plenty of resources you can use to get the assistance you need. You can always ask for help, whether you need help at work or with something in your personal life. Your support system can also provide as much help as possible if you’re struggling at home. 

8. Think About Your Future

Joining the military is a commitment, whether you plan on leaving after your initial contract or you want to stay in for 20 years so you can retire. Regardless of how long you want to stay in, you will have to commit for some time, and your life outside of work will be impacted by your time in the military. Before you enlist, make sure you research the different career paths in the military and find something that aligns with your interests and experience, so you’re doing something you enjoy throughout the years. 

9. Talk to a Recruiter and Do Your Research

You will want to talk to a recruiter to get personalized advice about your enlistment and to hear about the various opportunities available. A recruiter can walk you through the various steps of the enlistment process and answer any questions you may have. You will also want to do your own research to determine which branch is the best fit for you and what occupations may be the optimal choice. Consider researching what life is like in the military so you can mentally adjust before you get shipped off to basic training. 

Find Support for Your Career Here at MLC

Regardless of what age you join the military at, Military Luggage Company has your back. We offer a wide range of gear to support you at various points of your career, such as assault packs, rucksacks, wheeled loadout bags, kit bags, and more. We hand-pick our products to ensure they meet the rigorous standards of the Armed Forces. We also offer discounts to active duty service members so they can access the gear they need at a price they can afford. Get started by checking out our entire selection or contact us if you have any questions.