I’m in my mid 30s and make 6 figures in IT. I’m considering joining the Air Force Reserves. Is this a stupid idea?
I always regretted not enlisting in my 20s as I feel a strong personal drive to serve my country. I feel that a part time enlistment would fill that void. Any thoughts or experiences are appreciated.
Used to be Air Guard, lemme weigh in.
In your 30s, with (I’m assuming) a degree, and a six figure job, enlisting is not for you.
Your peers will be 18 - 20. Your supervisors will be 20 on up.
At basic and tech school you will be older than your drill sergeants and instructors, they will 100% of the time put you in charge of babysitting the rest of your class.
Depending on the career field youre looking for, I’m assuming IT related, youll find more frustration than satisfaction.
Lets talk about home life. No matter what any recruiter tells you, you will deploy. You will be away from your home for extended periods of time, depending on your career field and unit that can mean a few weeks a year or a few months.
The Reserves are as their name implies, they exist as a reserve force for the active duty, to deploy.
If you want to help you local state, the Guard is where you wanna look. Air Guard is a thing.
Now if you read that all as trying to disuade you, I’m not, but you should go in with realistic expectations.
What I think would benefit you is the officer route. You can go from being Joe Blow off the street to Lt Blow in a few months, you dont have to go through ROTC or the acadamy to do it.
Youd find a much more familiar peer group in the officer corps, both in age and experience.
DM me if you have questions.
Edit: gramar
This is accurate.
I’d have a hard time trying to even make a case for commissioning.