Doubts about age...

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I just wanted to see if there is anyone in my position. I am thinking about joining the Airforce but I feel I may be too old. I know the age cut off is 42 or somthing around that, but I don't want to be considered "the old one" in my class. I will be 29 when I finish nursing school and hopefully start my additional training (COT, NTP). Is this crazy to think? I know it may seem shallow, but I come from a family where everyone joined the military at 18 or 19 so in my mind I feel like I am too old to join. Any comments would be helpful.

Hi Athena,

I have followed your posts with great interest. I just found out I am in, as an

AFR Flight Nurse after a 16 month wait to hear. I am 48 now. I am curious to know how you did with the physical demands of OBC? I will go to Survival School at some point....did you have to do that? I appreciate any insight you can share.

Laura

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.
Hi Athena,

I have followed your posts with great interest. I just found out I am in, as an

AFR Flight Nurse after a 16 month wait to hear. I am 48 now. I am curious to know how you did with the physical demands of OBC? I will go to Survival School at some point....did you have to do that? I appreciate any insight you can share.

Laura

Hello Laura and congratulations on navigating the bend in the river we call "life"!

Let me tell you, I think the most arduous and extreme physical training I have ever done, was at the ripe young age of 54, and entailed AWT tasks (advanced warrior training tasks) right before deployment to Kuwiat. {{the training we did at OBLC was nothing very physical, except maybe jumping down off a "duece and a half" and having my PRO MASK get caught and me hanging upside down while everyone took pictures, sigh.}} Besides all the regular Soldier stuff, we participated in the roll-over training and AWT lanes. Whew. Loaded down with the IOTV (improved outer tactical vest which weighs about 40 pounds with all the plates and other stuff attached), the ACH (army combat helmet), my camelback with its 1.5 liters of H2O, and my weapon (M16) fully loaded to go (with blanks, of course) and trying to navigate through the N.C. swamps while "under fire". Wow, was I tired after it was all said and done. But the most important thing, to me, was that I did not compromise the "mission" and I did not hold anyone back from completing the line (which I was kind of afraid of...that I would hinder the others because I wouldn't be able to keep up, physically)

I have trained to be a flight nurse, I have gone on a medical mission to El Salvador (and was bitten by a young viper) I survived having 3 teenage boys - or maybe they survived me? Thing is....we all have a certain amount of control over the things that happen in our life. Become pro-active in regards to your physical abilites: starting training for the APFT (2 mile run, sit-ups and push-ups....as much as you can do in 2 minutes) Keep a good sense of humor about you and

gotta go getting a burn patient (explosion) in...

Keep safe, keep us informed and keep trucking! Age ain't nuthin' but a #

athena

Baghdad, Iraq

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Athena,

Thank you so much for the time you took to tell me about your experience. I wish I knew you in real life. You are inspiring.

Laura

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Specializes in ER.

I am getting ready to go back in...I want to join the Navy Nurse Corps throught the NCP or just become a Hospital Corpsman until I get accepted....I have been an RN for three years and want to pursue my BSN through the Navy....I loved being in the military and am excited about the Navy....thing is if I go in as a Corpsman...I will go and train to be an LPN,,,,even though I am an RN with three years med/surg experience....so my feeling is if you go...you will be more mature to handle the everyday of military life, my experience will be more advanced than others that I will be in class with, and I will be able to lead better....oh......and be able to kick butt in PT, in the best physical shape of my life now LOL:yeah:.....You will do great girl :)

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Specializes in ICU-my whole life!!.
I just wanted to see if there is anyone in my position. I am thinking about joining the Airforce but I feel I may be too old. I know the age cut off is 42 or somthing around that, but I don't want to be considered "the old one" in my class. I will be 29 when I finish nursing school and hopefully start my additional training (COT, NTP). Is this crazy to think? I know it may seem shallow, but I come from a family where everyone joined the military at 18 or 19 so in my mind I feel like I am too old to join. Any comments would be helpful.

Sorry but you crack me up. Stop worrying about your age. I wished I was your age when I went back in. You will be fine. Who cares if you join at 35 or 40? As long as you get 20 good years in and retire or just go in and do as long as you want. Remember this, YOU will be fine.

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Sorry but you crack me up. Stop worrying about your age. I wished I was your age when I went back in. You will be fine. Who cares if you join at 35 or 40? As long as you get 20 good years in and retire or just go in and do as long as you want. Remember this, YOU will be fine.

I was thinking exactly the same thing when I read this post originally...I would have KILLED to be seven years younger during COT!

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Thanks for all the information! It has really been very helpful.

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Specializes in ED. ICU, PICU, infection prevention, aeromedical e.
I was thinking exactly the same thing when I read this post originally...I would have KILLED to be seven years younger during COT!

Carolinapooh,

Why?? What would have been different if you had been younger? What were your age related challenges?

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Running was easier when I was 23!!

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Running was easier when I was 23!!

not for me. I am way, way faster now (at 48) than in my 20's. In fact, I believe I am the fastest female in my USAGPAN class(Army Crna school) per the last APFT in Oct......AND I am the oldest lady :) ;) !

Age, SMaaaage.....

good luck

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I've been reading posts as if I'm watching the nightly news. I'm too very frustrated with this process of joining the air force. I started this process when I was 47 years of age. Just in time for the age limit. Due to my recruiter and his moving lips, I'm now 48, will be almost 49 if I'm selected and chosen to attend March COT date. These last few days I have been reconsidering joining at 49 years of age. Too late for retirement, and just dont know what it would be like for me physically and mentally at 49 years of age. Sometimes I cannot remember a thought from one room to the next LOL! I know age is nothing but a number, but really I'm really reconsidering especially when my tolerance for BS decreases the older i get. I have missed many board selections this year due to my recruiters lack of ability, and now with the heavy board applications and the inability to give assignments or selection notices really tries my patience.

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not for me. I am way, way faster now (at 48) than in my 20's. In fact, I believe I am the fastest female in my USAGPAN class(Army Crna school) per the last APFT in Oct......AND I am the oldest lady :) ;) !

Age, SMaaaage.....

good luck

I'm getting there, I'm getting there.....you're my idol.....

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