firefly22 Posted March 27, 2016 Report Share Posted March 27, 2016 I'm former enlisted STS - Sonar Tech in the Navy and always have wanted to fly military but my vision prevented years ago. I now have corrected 20/20, but the Navy has shut the door due to my age. I'm 35 now, 6 yrs prior service with a dual masters (MBA + computer engineering, B avg). I've been told the Army might give me a shot. Is there any truth to this? I've read where some have gotten age waivers in the past. I'd like to go Active, if possible, but certainly open to Reserves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luofynerd Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 It's always possible. No one here can give you the answer you're looking for. Have to apply for the age waiver and let the waiver gods decide for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tough Actin Posted March 28, 2016 Report Share Posted March 28, 2016 It's always possible. No one here can give you the answer you're looking for. Have to apply for the age waiver and let the waiver gods decide for you.That's a Fact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted March 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2016 True, I won't know until I try. But have you seen it be done before for someone in my age bracket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tough Actin Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I have not personally seen it but I'm relatively new to this compared to others. I would so it may be a long shot but the recent boards have had small numbers. I would recommend that if you are going to go for it, go now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luofynerd Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 I've seen some guys age 33 denied, I've seen some approved. My buddy got denied for his but truth be told he had nothing that really set him apart from an 18 year old applicant that can give 20+ years. College helps, being in good physical condition helps. Having prior service helps if you weren't a bump on the log your entire time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted March 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Is it more likely to get a waiver in one of the reserve components or does it not matter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luofynerd Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 Probably not. Think about it, they have like 120-200 slots to fill per year I'd say the odds are better for a waiver active based on the fact that they're pushing numbers in the 500-600 slots per year range. But that's just my opinion I'm no professional and I haven't been selected yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnus017 Posted March 30, 2016 Report Share Posted March 30, 2016 The Guard can do magical things. My current stick buddy is 35 (I'm in hawks right now). If you have any chance of this you need to begin work immediately because while I have seen people in their mid 30's here in flight school, I haven't seen anyone very far north of 35. You can try Active/Reserves but they are on a different recruiting system than the National Guard. The Guard can also approve(or drastically increase the odds of one being approved) age waiver's at a local level. Your best bet is the Guard. Go find a recruiter immediately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 The Guard can do magical things. My current stick buddy is 35 (I'm in hawks right now). If you have any chance of this you need to begin work immediately because while I have seen people in their mid 30's here in flight school, I haven't seen anyone very far north of 35. You can try Active/Reserves but they are on a different recruiting system than the National Guard. The Guard can also approve(or drastically increase the odds of one being approved) age waiver's at a local level. Your best bet is the Guard. Go find a recruiter immediately. Thanks, I'll definitely check out the Guard. I also read online this morning that someone who was 40 got approved an age waiver in the Guard (they must be joking?). I've already begun work on my packet but still have a ways to go. Just how far north of 35 have you seen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockTrader Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Â Thanks, I'll definitely check out the Guard. I also read online this morning that someone who was 40 got approved an age waiver in the Guard (they must be joking?). I've already begun work on my packet but still have a ways to go. Just how far north of 35 have you seen? 41. And he was given 3 or 4 chances at WOCS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 41. And he was given 3 or 4 chances at WOCS. Good Lord. Was he a pilot from another branch or a complete newbie? How recent was this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockTrader Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 Â Good Lord. Was he a pilot from another branch or a complete newbie? How recent was this?Guard. No pilot experience. Im just gonna assume the state of Kansas is hurting for pilots. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted March 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 How long ago was this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockTrader Posted March 31, 2016 Report Share Posted March 31, 2016 How long ago was this?About a year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted April 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2016 I spoke to a warrant recruiter and he said the NGB never has and never will waive someone over 35 no matter what state they are from. He said they might waive if you're 33/34, but no more. So he said they NEVER have and advised to not bother wasting me time (WTF!). Was that 41 y/o in WOCs definitely going to flight school and not becoming a technical warrant in some other field? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StockTrader Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 I spoke to a warrant recruiter and he said the NGB never has and never will waive someone over 35 no matter what state they are from. He said they might waive if you're 33/34, but no more. So he said they NEVER have and advised to not bother wasting me time (WTF!). Was that 41 y/o in WOCs definitely going to flight school and not becoming a technical warrant in some other field?100% positive to be a pilot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnus017 Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Recruiters love to say no, keep pestering someone until you get a yes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwil7280 Posted April 2, 2016 Report Share Posted April 2, 2016 Â Seems to apply in this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocity173 Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Â Thanks, I'll definitely check out the Guard. I also read online this morning that someone who was 40 got approved an age waiver in the Guard (they must be joking?). I've already begun work on my packet but still have a ways to go. Just how far north of 35 have you seen? One of my former students was a 40 yr old WO1 in the NG with a waiver. Wasn't exactly God's gift to aviation. Trying to learn a new craft that late in life can be overwhelming for some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve0 Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Recruiters love to say no, keep pestering someone until you get a yes.Some of the "No"s I've gotten so far: "You're too fat and your blood pressure is too high, you will be DQd because you aren't going to be able to get within healthy limits without medication." -lost 30 lbs and got blood pressure down with just diet and exercise  "You aren't I good enough shape. We won't start on your packet until you can get at least a 270 on the PT. If you enlist, by the time you make it through basic your pt should be through the roof!" -worked out for months and scored 290 "You probably won't do great on the sift, you don't know anything about flight. If you enlist in an aviation mechanic mos you will learn all that stuff." -studied and scored 75 "Your going to need recommendation letters from some higher up officers, good luck gettting one to even meet with you. Once your enlisted you will know tons of pilots!" -was able to arrange meetings with a Col and a CW5  "I don't know man, it's going to be hard. If you enlist, I bet you'll be picked up just like that!" -now just hoping for good news in July. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsey Posted April 3, 2016 Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Some of the "No"s I've gotten so far: "You're too fat and your blood pressure is too high, you will be DQd because you aren't going to be able to get within healthy limits without medication." -lost 30 lbs and got blood pressure down with just diet and exercise  "You aren't I good enough shape. We won't start on your packet until you can get at least a 270 on the PT. If you enlist, by the time you make it through basic your pt should be through the roof!" -worked out for months and scored 290 "You probably won't do great on the sift, you don't know anything about flight. If you enlist in an aviation mechanic mos you will learn all that stuff." -studied and scored 75 "Your going to need recommendation letters from some higher up officers, good luck gettting one to even meet with you. Once your enlisted you will know tons of pilots!" -was able to arrange meetings with a Col and a CW5  "I don't know man, it's going to be hard. If you enlist, I bet you'll be picked up just like that!" -now just hoping for good news in July.Dude, I'm three years past being selected and your post still got me f*ckin motivated. Way to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted April 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2016 Some of the "No"s I've gotten so far: "You're too fat and your blood pressure is too high, you will be DQd because you aren't going to be able to get within healthy limits without medication." -lost 30 lbs and got blood pressure down with just diet and exercise "You aren't I good enough shape. We won't start on your packet until you can get at least a 270 on the PT. If you enlist, by the time you make it through basic your pt should be through the roof!" -worked out for months and scored 290 "You probably won't do great on the sift, you don't know anything about flight. If you enlist in an aviation mechanic mos you will learn all that stuff." -studied and scored 75 "Your going to need recommendation letters from some higher up officers, good luck gettting one to even meet with you. Once your enlisted you will know tons of pilots!" -was able to arrange meetings with a Col and a CW5 "I don't know man, it's going to be hard. If you enlist, I bet you'll be picked up just like that!" -now just hoping for good news in July. That's the attitude I plan to have. Also, if I'm already enlisted in my home state's Guard unit, can I apply to another state's WOFT program (if I get denied by my home state)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefly22 Posted April 4, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2016 Are age waivers typically the hardest type of waiver to get? If someone had slightly higher BP or flat feet, would getting a waiver for that generally be easier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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