Direct Commission Air Force/ Army

jfratian, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 4, 2014

No, the max age is 42 even with a waiver for the Air Force. You need to be able to serve 20 years before the mandatory retirement age of 62. MEPS (the medical physical) won't require you to run or do push-ups, but you can't have one of the many disqualifying conditions when you see are evaluated. You also must meet the height and weight requirements prior to MEPS.

They are cutting nurse corps officers right now, not hiring.

504 medic · May 4, 2014

State run National Guard units have more latitude with age waivers...depends on your prior service, if any, and the "critical need" of your job...Mental Health related positions are in greater demand right now...go figure. If you can't pass the AFPT now, but you are close, don't worry...but keep training. If you aren't close, but you're determined...make training your full time job. You don't want to waste several months only to end up getting Chaptered out of the Army with potentially an unfavorable discharge. You can also look at the Public Health Service: U.S. Public Health Service Home

Good Luck.

Raider 3/1 · May 4, 2014

As jfratian said, I believe the maximum age you can apply for a direct commission or at least be able to commission is by age 42. You could always talk to a health care recruiter from the branches your interested in and the worst thing they will tell you is no.

lgnewman · May 4, 2014

You are meaning Army National Guard? OR Air Guard. Clearly I dont have prior training or I would know the answer to that Ive heard CRNA is also in need, or was about a year ago. The need for Psyche Np's is great in the Civilian workforce right now as well. I have about 15 months before completion so I would probably need that long to get into shape to pass it, sadly.

lgnewman · May 4, 2014

I thought it was 42 also, which is why i didn't pursue it when I was 42, but the Airforce website says 48 and someone told me the raised it recently. The Army says 52 for Reserve which I found hard to believe.

Raider 3/1 · May 5, 2014

Im only going off what each branches website says for age requirements. again, it would be a good idea to talk to the health care recruiter and find out for certain what it is.

504 medic · May 5, 2014

The Army says 52 for Reserve which I found hard to believe.

They don't expect Medical officers to stay very long in the Reserves/Guard...and they don't plan on using you to fill sand bags or go on patrols, so you can be an older soldier, with less military experience...as long as you have what it takes medically.

Newmlg · Jul 30, 2014

Thanks for all of the above information. I have two AF reserve guys in my current Nursing Program and one Army reserve who are all saying I should get in shape and try to direct commission. Ive ben at a desk in Case management for the last five years.. easier said than done. What Im wondering is IF I were able to pass the PT, and IF my specialty were in critical need, and IF my age were not a factor or was waivered- what Medical conditions can disqualify you immediately? Everyone has to go through MEPS regardless, correct?

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jul 30, 2014

You need to contact a healthcare recruiter, and I don't mean the general strip-mall-type recruiters. Your age may be a dealbreaker because the Army is downsizing and age waivers will be scarce. There is recruiter contact info in this article: https://allnurses.com/government-military-nursing/military-nursing-885815.html

Good luck!

edvaz90 · Aug 6, 2014

Can I ask you guys in this thread what was the reason(s) for you to choose navy air force / army over each other and the navy?