What Age Should You Join The Marines

At age 32 with a family, should I join the Marines or Army?

Since I am an Army Soldier (albeit a reservist now after doing four years active duty) you might want to consider that I may be biased.Being that you’re 32, more than likely your personal mentality is probably more concrete and less easily influenced than the majority of 18 year olds that you’ll be enlisting with and going to either Boot Camp or Basic Combat Training with. As long as you have a decent amount of common sense and are partially athletic, you’d probably be fine in either branch. However, through what I’ve noticed and conversations I’ve had with Marines is that they typically seek younger, impressionable recruits that are more easily molded into the Marine Corps mindset. Also, being an Army soldier, I can safely say on average the physical aspect of the training in the Marines is often more strenuous. But on the other hand, depending on what army unit you’re assigned to, you can expect to spend a lot more time training in the field than you would’ve in the Marines, but not all unit’s or MOS’s are created equal in that aspect.Whichever one you decide to join, unless you are set on being in a combat MOS, like infantry, artillery, combat engineer etc., consider choosing a support MOS like signal (like me!) or intelligence. Also many medical jobs (with the exception of combat medic) seem like pretty sweet gigs especially if you wind up working in a hospital or a clinic. If I were to go back in time, knowing what I know now, that’s probably the route I would take. Also, these fields have translatable job skills back in the civilian sector. Believe it or not, not a whole lot employers are looking for people that can drive an M1 Abrams, as awesome as it probably is.Also, you will most likely make rank in the Army faster, plus if you have a bachelor’s degree you will start of as an E4 in the army opposed to an E3 in the Marines. There’s also a good amount of bonus money floating around in the Army for particular MOS’s and I believe even potentially two year enlistments (always make shorter commitments if possible). I personally don’t pay too much attention to Marine recruiting incentives but similar programs may be in place.Overall, my second answer would be to join the Army. My first would be to join the Airforce!Whichever you choose, best of luck to you and your family.

How can I join the US Army or Marines at the age of 42?

The other answers noted that there is an age limit by branch, above which you need a waiver. Those limits are currently 34 for the Army and 29 for the USMC.With a waiver, federal law establishes the maximum age at 42 (32 CFR 66.6) - though this is generally only for those with special skills like medicine and is unlikely to be approved. It doesn’t hurt to try. Go to the Army (don’t bother with the Marines because they’re so small, and you’re fighting a time window.)Other options if you’re still interested in serving include a variety of law enforcement positions (which have their own medical that can be limiting.) You might also enjoy volunteering for a State Defense Force (SDF).SDF are non-military, state-supported volunteer organizations that do things like respond to natural disasters and participate as Opposing Force (OPFOR) exercises with the Army Reserve and National Guard to help train those members. It’s a non-paid position, but you’ll get the opportunity to wear a uniform.Here is the list of SDF from Wikipedia. Some, like the California State Military Reserve (CSMR) are very well supported and developed, others are less so.Good luck.

Is 27 too old to join the Marine Corps?

It's not too old by regulation. Most 27 year olds should be capable of completing training, assuming the 27 year old hasn't been a 12 pack a day couch patatoe since high school.I attended USMC boot camp as a 17 year-old. But we had a former Army Sergeant that got out at 26ish, and at 31 decided to join the Marine Corps. “Grandpa” as we called him held his own and graduated a Marine.At 20-21 I attended Marine OCS which physically and mentally was considerably harder. The OCS program had a number of late 20 college grads participating and although after age 28 you are too old for the Aviatior tract, almost every other Officer Career field is open.

Can a 16-year old join the marines?

It is legal, but highly unlikely.Many hoops must be jumped through before a person can join any branch of the Armed Forces. All branches have the same preliminary physical, mental, medical and background requirements, which these days are almost impossible to waiver since many people are trying to get into our volunteer forces.Your biggest challenge is that should you not have your high school diploma, you would actually have to have at least 15 credits of actual sit-down college at a difficulty that qualifies, plus an early GED. In addition to all this, candidates are required to take a placement test called the ASVAB and cut the minimum score to get into the Armed Forces. Not getting a high enough score will affect you getting a better job.On top of all these requirements, maybe the hardest will be getting parental consent because you're under the age of 18.The part that is really tough for some people to understand is that joining the Armed Forces is not getting away from school. In fact the opposite is true. Many classes are required, and taught with a classroom-style setting. Failing to get through those courses can result in either an unwanted job change or actually getting kicked out.As you can see, if you actually finished high school and are old enough to sign up by yourself, there would be a lot less restriction to get into the Marine Corps and make it then if you tried to get in now.However, I am not telling you you can't get in. I highly encourage you to visit with a Marine recruiter at least over the phone or preferably by appointment, as soon as possible to end understand what it takes to get in to our fine Armed Forces and visualize your dream.Good luck, and thank you for your desire to serve.

Could somebody over the age of 29 join the Marines if they had prior service?

It usually goes the other way—blue to green (navy to army) is a common thing. Marine Corps life and standards of fitness are easier to hack when young, and a chunk of Marines end up in the Army Reserves or National Guard to finish out their 20—have met many whose pull up days have come and gone.But yes you can join any DoD branch up to 32 years of age.

Is 21 years old a good age to join The Marines?

I think it would be dependent on how open-minded and motivated you are. Also, I’m assuming your question is more based around boot camp rather than the years following…There is a reason the Marine Corps (and other branches) prefer recruits of 17 or 18 years of age… that’s because at that age, they haven’t formed much in the way of their own opinion. When an individual is 17 or 18, they’re generally still under mommy & daddy’s roof; they’ve had little world experience and very little personal responsibility. Personal motivation is usually pretty low unless there is a penalty involved.The Marines prefer their recruits to be “dumb.” Not in the literal sense of stupid, but dumb in the ways of thinking for themselves. The Marine Corps is not looking for people to question an order or authority, or be looking out for the individual self. Also, assume everything you now know, as being wrong. If the Marines want you to know something, they will teach you; there is the right way, the wrong way and the Marine Corps way.Recruit training has often been referred to as “brain-washing” to the uninformed. Marines refer to their training as “conditioning.” Their goal is to break you from thinking only of yourself and redirecting you to think of the greater goal as a team; “I cover your back and you cover mine and together we’ll win.” If you’ve ever played organized football, this is a very similar concept.At 21 you’re still fairly malleable and open-minded, but surely that depends on the individual. If you don’t have a problem leaving your personal opinions at home, not thinking for yourself, and don’t mind living in a virtual physical and mental Hell for thirteen weeks, I’d say give it a shot. But be prepared. This is not summer camp where you get to call mommy and go home when your panties get in a twist or when a DI (more-likely multiple DIs) get up in your face and cover you in their spittle. This is a commitment. If you “quit,” you’ll likely get lost in out-processing and end up being there longer than if you truly committed to training and completing boot camp.