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.

Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
I'm getting there, I'm getting there.....you're my idol.....

You'll get there, enjoy the ride !!!

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
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.

The military is a "big, slow moving wheel" for sure. But have you looked into other branches? I commissioned into the Army Reserve at 46 1/2. Now, at 48yrs I am Active duty in the Army CRNA program. I heard all this "blather" about how "older students don't do as well as other students in the military CRNA programs.......whatever, I say "BULLCRAP. BRING IT ON"!!!! AND, I'll see you on the track, too!!

Age is a number.....the only limitation is yourself. I just finished my first 6 months of the didactic portion, and lets just say I did exceptionally well......

You can do anything you want, just find the right "venue".......or branch :) Be persistent and bug the heck out of your recruiter. I bothered mine so much, he suggested I get a "mental health consult" after I pcs'ed to my duty station (LOL)!!!!!

But I knew I had a small window of time to access to Active Duty, and get into the Army CRNA program. And right after I was boarded, they STOPPED accepting "Age Waivers"......so, I was right and he was a slow, moving.......bleeep, that nearly ended my career before it started.

good luck

c.

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The military is a "big, slow moving wheel" for sure. But have you looked into other branches? I commissioned into the Army Reserve at 46 1/2. Now, at 48yrs I am Active duty in the Army CRNA program. I heard all this "blather" about how "older students don't do as well as other students in the military CRNA programs.......whatever, I say "BULLCRAP. BRING IT ON"!!!! AND, I'll see you on the track, too!!

Age is a number.....the only limitation is yourself. I just finished my first 6 months of the didactic portion, and lets just say I did exceptionally well......

You can do anything you want, just find the right "venue".......or branch :) Be persistent and bug the heck out of your recruiter. I bothered mine so much, he suggested I get a "mental health consult" after I pcs'ed to my duty station (LOL)!!!!!

But I knew I had a small window of time to access to Active Duty, and get into the Army CRNA program. And right after I was boarded, they STOPPED accepting "Age Waivers"......so, I was right and he was a slow, moving.......bleeep, that nearly ended my career before it started.

good luck

c.

Great story Ma'am!

Quick question, So you commissioned Army Reserve and then 1.5 years later you are already Active and in CRNA school? Or are you just active for CRNA school? Either way, just wondering how hard that process was? I always heard it was hard to be released from reserve to active. Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Great story Ma'am!

Quick question, So you commissioned Army Reserve and then 1.5 years later you are already Active and in CRNA school? Or are you just active for CRNA school? Either way, just wondering how hard that process was? I always heard it was hard to be released from reserve to active. Thanks!

Well, yes I was reserve for 14 months, before commissioning Active. You must be Active for the USAGPAN program. The application process for Active & USAGPAN can be done simutaneously and it is a long process. Getting "released" from reserves can be difficult, unless you have a "good reason". Currently, the Army is sitting at 52% occupancy for CRNA's,so....that is/was a "good reason" for Reserves to release me. The only hold up I had (on release) was my DA 368 form. It was sent to the wrong address (from USARREC to HRC). It took a month to track it down. If you are plan on switching from Reserve to Active, give yourself at least 3 months for the paperwork.

good luck

c.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I will be 29 when I finish nursing school and hopefully start my additional training (COT, NTP). Is this crazy to think?

If you're crazy, I'm crazier! I'll be 38 when I get my BSN this summer, and I'm meeting with an Army healthcare recruiter in a couple weeks. :D Considering my options ... I grew up around the military (overseas), and I miss that environment.

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My dad went back to college in the 1970s on the GI bill, back when there really weren't a whole lot of adults going back to school like they do now (unless they were vets). He had four kids at home - and before he graduated he had THREE grandchildren!

He told me how he was worried about being able to keep up with the kids, and he said after a few weeks it was pretty obvious they'd have to work to keep up with him...LOL....

So age is just a number, as long as YOU believe you can do it - you will - look at all of us who are 35+ and survived nursing school AND OTS/OCS.....

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Another oldie here... I am 38 also and will be 41 when I finish my BSN. Amazingly I find that I am more prepared than most of the younger students in my program, and in better physical condition too! Age is NOT a factor... if you prepare yourself, you can meet any challenges that are presented to you, and may even find more respect and admiration from the younger ones around you.

Good luck!

LA40

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Specializes in OR.

Give me a break. I just graduated last month at 41. The majority of the class was atleast in their 30's and one person was in his late 50'(a doctor). You are plenty young and will do fine. Just make sure you listen, follow the rules and most of all have fun. It's a great opportunity to make a lot of good friends.

Enjoy

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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

May god bless you and keep you safe!!!! Thank you for all that you do....:redbeathe

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Good luck to EVERYONE and Have a safe and happy new YEAR!!!!

Olderthandirt2: The Army stopped age waivers all together or just for CRNA program? I would assume that it would be for the entire ARMY?? Cut off is 42?

I believe that I have read that in another thread (about waivers) Thank you for your response... TAKE CARE... All of the CRNA's that I work with in the OR Rock and I am sure that you will too....

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
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[/FONT]

:yeah: So, thats where you have been keeping!

Be safe, Happy holidays :)

c.

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Specializes in ICU- adults, Flight RN peds/neo.
Good luck to EVERYONE and Have a safe and happy new YEAR!!!!

Olderthandirt2: The Army stopped age waivers all together or just for CRNA program? I would assume that it would be for the entire ARMY?? Cut off is 42?

I believe that I have read that in another thread (about waivers) Thank you for your response... TAKE CARE... All of the CRNA's that I work with in the OR Rock and I am sure that you will too....

Hi Itshamrtym,

yeah, the "age waiver" thing is a bummer. The Army Nurse Corp stopped it last year in May (2009) for all nurses. Now currently, I don't know....maybe they are taking "age waivers" again this year (it is very fluid apparently). But if you have prior service and you are older than 42, you may be O.K.....as always, the recruiters know the "skinny"....At our school house (at Ft.Sam-CRNA program), the faculty weren't even aware that "age waivers" were not being accepted.

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