Age Discrimination

I know there are some military brats/not being mean, here and maybe they can help you. I tried to enlist as an RN after 911 and was told I was to old but your circumstances might be a bit different.

renerian

Once I am finished with my BSN and Boards, I would like to join the Army Reserve Nursing Corp.

Although I am prior Military, what is the general perception of an "older person," in my case 42 (by the time I join), who enters as a 2nd Lt? Would one encounter age discrimination once inside?

I believe the commissioning age is capped at 34. Any of the service-specific websites - or just a recruiter - would be able to confirm the age for you.

There is a waiver for anything but you must be to physical standards.

Example: I'm 5'11" and my weight limit is 192 lb. Since I am an older male and have muscle, I haven't seen 192 in about 15 years. The Army National Guard uses bf analysis to declare me fit.

You will also need to perform a certain amount of sit-ups and push-ups with a 2 min limit for each with no rest. I'm upper-middle performance with 54 push-ups and 48 sit-ups. Training for the test is the hard part. Cutting weight while improving reps is painfull.

That being said, if you can meet physical standards for a critical job with the military it will make you worth the trouble of getting a waiver.

Just find a recruiter that needs the bodies.

BTW,

I'm an Army National Guard medic. It took me a 1 1/2 years of training through injuries to get to this standard. I was at 235,20 push-ups and 14 sit-ups when I started. I now pass bf analysis at around 210 and do better than some soldiers half my age.

If you want my help with it just PM me.

There is a waiver for anything but you must be to physical standards.

Example: I'm 5'11" and my weight limit is 192 lb. Since I am an older male and have muscle, I haven't seen 192 in about 15 years. The Army National Guard uses bf analysis to declare me fit.

You will also need to perform a certain amount of sit-ups and push-ups with a 2 min limit for each with no rest. I'm upper-middle performance with 54 push-ups and 48 sit-ups. Training for the test is the hard part. Cutting weight while improving reps is painfull.

That being said, if you can meet physical standards for a critical job with the military it will make you worth the trouble of getting a waiver.

Just find a recruiter that needs the bodies.

I hear ya! I'm 6-2 and weigh 235, and I am sure I would surpass the weight limit based on my height. However, I lift weights alot (not heavy, anymore) and triathlon train (olympic) as best as my schedule allows.

As for the Nursing Corp, just to inform everyone, the cutoff age is 46 1/2 years. And, if you throw any prior service into the equation, that age limit should extend.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses.

46 1/2?

Where can I look at that info? The Army Guard extended PA to 39 y/o and I'm 44 this year. I didn't think they would have different standards for nurses since they all have to pass OBC anyway.

Your height/weight should pass bf analysis. Having a thick neck is also a morphological blessing. The thicker the neck, the less impact of torso fat. My seargent is only about 5'9" but his neck is 18 1/2! He's clinicaly obese but passes the measurement every time.

Once I am finished with my BSN and Boards, I would like to join the Army Reserve Nursing Corp.

Although I am prior Military, what is the general perception of an "older person," in my case 42 (by the time I join), who enters as a 2nd Lt? Would one encounter age discrimination once inside?

You are NOT too old to join the Army Reserve Nursing Corp. :) Also, I did not find any age discrimination at all when I worked in military hospitals as a nurse, and I certainly didn't see any as far as the Army nurses were concerned, so go for it if it's what you want! Besides, you'll be a Captain in no time in the Reserves. :)

A BSN is NOT required to join the Army Reserves either...just a nursing license. A friend of mine joined with an ADN and made Captain in no time. She was also a much older nurse...no prior military either. This was during the Gulf War when I was going to join myself, but my 'EH' talked me out of it.

46 1/2?

Where can I look at that info? The Army Guard extended PA to 39 y/o and I'm 44 this year. I didn't think they would have different standards for nurses since they all have to pass OBC anyway.

Your height/weight should pass bf analysis. Having a thick neck is also a morphological blessing. The thicker the neck, the less impact of torso fat. My seargent is only about 5'9" but his neck is 18 1/2! He's clinicaly obese but passes the measurement every time.

WW,

check out the following link: http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/index.jsp

There are six Army Healthcare Corps. Check out the Nurse Corp. This info applys to both Active and Reserve. And 46 1/2 has been recently quoted to me by a recruiter.

You are NOT too old to join the Army Reserve Nursing Corp. :) Also, I did not find any age discrimination at all when I worked in military hospitals as a nurse, and I certainly didn't see any as far as the Army nurses were concerned, so go for it if it's what you want! Besides, you'll be a Captain in no time in the Reserves. :)

A BSN is NOT required to join the Army Reserves either...just a nursing license. A friend of mine joined with an ADN and made Captain in no time. She was also a much older nurse...no prior military either. This was during the Gulf War when I was going to join myself, but my 'EH' talked me out of it.

Thanks for the positive, cheerfuldoer. The reason I'm going BSN is because I already have a degree and would rather save time by navigating an accelerated route, due to the age restrictions in the Services. And from what I've read on these boards, it seems it could take anywhere between 2 - 4 years just to go the ADN route, so a BSN is a no brainer for me, even at 26K!

Thanks for the positive, cheerfuldoer. The reason I'm going BSN is because I already have a degree and would rather save time by navigating an accelerated route, due to the age restrictions in the Services. And from what I've read on these boards, it seems it could take anywhere between 2 - 4 years just to go the ADN route, so a BSN is a no brainer for me, even at 26K!

Well then "future Captain Lambert"....go, go, go!!! I wish you well. Just do what is in your heart and determination to do instead of settling for something you won't be satisfied about when it is all said and done. Enjoy your life along the way. I am realllllll big on that these days. :) Time is NOT on any man's side.

The Army is currently considering age waivers on a case by case basis. Just contact your healthcare recruiter.