I have been working as a landman for the past 11 years. I was recently let go due to low oil and staff reductions. I'm looking at other areas outside of oil and gas and the military is one of those areas.

I'm 34 with 3 kids and wife who depend on me to feed and cloth them so I'm looking at all possibilities.


I have an MBA in addition to my undergraduate degree. As a landman I prepared and presented numerous management presentations, drafted and negotiated complex oil and gas agreements, trained colleagues, and managed multi-million dollar budgets. I believe these skills and my MBA would make me a good candidate for many opportunities outside of oil and gas.

I'm I a fool for considering the military?
If I go that route do I just walk into my local recruiters office?
Do they even take 34 year olds?

Any other things I should be aware of?

TIA

You might be a little long in the tooth, but it is worth going to talk to a recruiter. I've been in 11 years, and I always tell folks who are interested in joining any service branch that it is a good idea. I have no regrets, and I've never met any veteran who truly regrets their time. They might be glad that they are out now, but that's a different story.

As far as your situation, yes go talk to a recruiter from any service. I don't know age limits for each branch, but I've heard of folks in their 30s joining. You might be perfectly suited as a contract officer. Just know that you might be taking a big pay cut if you do join. Lts don't make very much, and I doubt that you could enter as a Captain or Major.

If memory serves, you're too old for any Service except the Army and it requires that you start basic training before your 35th birthday. Look here for all non-military federal openings: USAJobs

quote:

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If memory serves, you're too old for any Service except the Army and it requires that you start basic training before your 35th birthday. Look here for all non-military federal openings: USAJobs

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Air Force officer is 34: https://www.airforce.com/how-to-join/prepare-for-success/meet-requirements
US Army officer: to get to OCS as a civilian, must ship to training or enter active duty by 33rd birthday http://www.goarmy.com/ocs.html
US Navy: no older than age 35 to serve as an officer https://www.navy.com/joining/ways-to-join/never-served.html#ft-qualifications-&-commitment

As an Officer, you would be the oldest lieutenant in your unit, making less than $50k/year, living in a crap town where your wife will not be able to find a job commensurate with her education.

If you have an MBA, joining the military to support your family would likely be a huge mistake.

Man, sell freaking cars, or something, until commodity prices rebound. If you don't want to wait to go back into oil and gas, go learn a high demand skill like data science in SAS. There are a ton of possibilities.

You're not a fool for considering joining the military. However, at your age and with your level of responsibilities i.e. 3 kids, it's just probably not the best move for you.

As mentioned, you would be on a fixed salary that is well below what you need to raise 3 kids.

You could check into some sort of overseas work, civilian contracting, etc. There are a lot more jobs than being some sort of private military "operator".

What about Coast Guard?

Search this forum for "direct commission". Army Reserve and Navy Reserve have commissioning programs that do not require prior military service. The age limits are higher and based on your experience you may commission at a higher rank.

Coast Guard is worth a look. Lots of variety in what the CG does.

Ex coastie here...it is possible max age for reserves is 39 then you could go active.