Well folks I may be looking for a career change in the near future. I have considered going back to AD but would have to go in as an Officer to make even remotely close to what I do now. I have the educational background with a couple of Associates Degrees and a Bachelors in Human Resources Management. I have even considered the reserves but would have to go by way of OCS as well. I am 40 and in pretty decent health. It looks like the only way I could do this is to be in the medical field or law for a commission. I have 9 years of service at this time between the Navy and the Army.
Any suggestions from the folks in CAPtalk land?
Check this link:
http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/afoffjobs/bl41ax.htm
When I was a enlisted medic in the early 70s, I worked with several officers who recieved direct commissions in this career field. No OCS. I am not sure what the requirements are now.
Quote from: caphistorian on June 04, 2008, 05:54:14 PM
Well folks I may be looking for a career change in the near future. I have considered going back to AD but would have to go in as an Officer to make even remotely close to what I do now. I have the educational background with a couple of Associates Degrees and a Bachelors in Human Resources Management. I have even considered the reserves but would have to go by way of OCS as well. I am 40 and in pretty decent health. It looks like the only way I could do this is to be in the medical field or law for a commission. I have 9 years of service at this time between the Navy and the Army.
Any suggestions from the folks in CAPtalk land?
Depending on your situation, It looks like you may be in a tight spot on this one as far as a commission because of your age. For direct commissions, you have to already be qualified in that field ie. an ordained minister, MD or have your law degree completed. Have you looked at Warrant Officer? Of course, Warrant Officer would require that you attend WOCS.
I got the same blow when my age waiver got denied at the ripe old age of 33 to be a helicopter pilot. Of course, there are many more here more qual'd to give suggestions in this arena.
Do you have a medical or law degree? As far as going in as an Officer, you would be hard pressed to get the waivers for age. It could be done, because they would count your previous 9 years in the Service, but it would still be difficult.
I have never seen anyone your age (sorry to sound so harsh) go to OCS either state or federal.
Now.....as a previous enlisted guy (??) you may Be able to get into a National Guard unit and become a Warrant Officer. This too would be tricky.
I do not have a Medical or Law Background other than an First Responder and former Deputy Sheriff. I have thought about the National Guard and even had 2 years of Georgia Army National Guard. I went in as a 96B and I spent the next 2 years changing tracks out on tanks. It was a big waste of my time. I have tried several times to talke to the National Guard recruiters and get some straight forward answers and no "empty promises", on paper and in writing but nonoe of them would talk to me about it direct and I dont like double talk. They tried to talk to me like I had no idea about the military service until I told them I had been AD Navy and GANG. I have contemplated Law quite a bit but am having a hard time getting my wife to buy into it.
I have even studied and researched the other "uniformed type services"
NOAA and the Public Health Corps full time.
It looks like the CG has at least one program for direct Commissions for folks of your age (Engineer) and one that almost goes there (Environmental Manager). Also have reserve officer direct commisisoning until late 36 (with chance of an age waiver for prior service).
http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-fit/officer-opportunities/programs/direct-commission-programs
If you're pining for permission to join the uniformed services...then I say go for it!
My suggestion considering your background: NOAA Corps (http://www.noaacorps.noaa.gov/recruiting/entryreq.html). Pilots and ship drivers are needed!
Although time for you is tight for the USPHS, are you able to knock out a masters in health admin to become a Health Services (http://www.usphs.gov/profession/healthservices/requirements.aspx) officer?
Or can you take classes to modify your degree for an award of a degree in health information management (B.S. commission in USPHS Health Services)?
Don't hesitate. Join NOAA then transfer to USPHS once you get you masters. Or just stay NOAA.
/r
LT
The 1Lt I knew back then had not been in the same speciality (he was enlisted in accounting and finance) and I believe his degree was in buisness. I know it was not hospital administration. I was always amazed that he left one base as an AIC and reported into his next base as a 2Lt. No training at all. He had enlisted for four years and only served four years - one enlisted and three commissioned.
If you have a college nearby with a degree to BSN program look at that. My wife took a master in computer science to a BS in 5 semesters. That's one longer than the ADN program I did. That would put you at 42 and eligible for commissioning as an RN. The flip side is you can guarantee deployment. The other side is - you may find civilian paycheck far better.
As a nurse I've been getting recruiter letters even though I'm 46. To make any kind of equal paycheck after nearly 17 years of experience all but mathematically impossible.
I don't know what you are interested in but I have two ideas for you. First, if you want to make quite a bit of money, go look around at the local power plants. Most only require a high school education and in some places you can make over 100k a year easily. The other option that people have been talking to me about is getting a job on an offshore oil rig. You work like 3 weeks on and 3 weeks off and the pay is supposed to be really good. Just some thoughts for you.