Okay, here's my take on it having been on both sides of the fence (enlisted and Officer) and in the two separate pastures of the two (active and reserves). PLUS, I retired from Federal service. I was one of the last 2 persons drafted out of Corpus Christi so I opted to enlist in the Navy instead. After my 4-year hitch, I returned to A&M and continued as a Reservist. After another two years, I was commissioned in the Navy Reserves. Because, I was a teacher, I could put in lots of active time each summer and advanced in rank consistently. Unfortunately lost my job when recalled for extended period and ended up taking many back to back tours (had over 3000 days active duty in last 10 years of my 35 year career!). First, let me say that the military is unforgiving as far as family life is concerned…a chaplain told me in front of my wife that "if the Navy had wanted your husband to have a wife, we'd have issued him one in his sea bag." Yes, a Chaplain said that! In the Reserves, it's even more so in that there is no family groups like on active duty bases to help families cope with your deployments. As far as age, the biggest thing is that age difference everyone is speaking about in previous posts. You will find yourself overqualified for most enlisted careers, especially in your junior years, simply because of your life experiences and education. If can get into a Warrant Officer or other commissioning program, go for it but be aware as others have mentioned that even junior officers pay will be far less than you're accustomed to at your point in life.
Having also served in the Federal Service (I was a GS-13 Intel Research Specialist with Homeland Security Investigations), I would offer that you might consider a Federal Service career at this point in life. You'll have a more stable career with regards to being able to establish yourself in one location after training is complete. Benefits and pay are greater than military ones at the same point of years in service. Retirement is good as well and the civilian service is more accepting to family issues. Go to USAJOBS and look for something that matches your education/experience and check duty locations…go from there and apply for something that matches your desires. Right now, the DHS/ICE/Border Patrol needs are high and you'll have a good chance getting hired. You will enjoy camaraderie and that feeling of service that you are craving. Of course, the only one that you'd have a uniform for is the Border Patrol although the others will have some semblance of uniform parts with badges to go along with the jobs. Good luck,
Lee '72
CAPT USN (Ret)
DHS/HSI GS-13 (Ret)