Joining the US Army at 32 years old

Cis.jd · Apr 22, 2019

Hi everyone. I am here because I am in the process of making a very important decision which is going into the Military at the age of 32 years old.

Why you ask? There are several reasons, but most of it is career wise.
I a multimedia designer (graphic design to be exact), I have a BA and MA in Multimedia Design with about 3-5 years professional experience. However, this is a hard career to make a living in. I've been unemployed since August and I'm getting sick and tired of not being able to progress into my career and meet my life goals (getting married,have kids, and being financially capable to support them).

The US Army advertised a position known as Multimedia Illustrator (25M) in which I applied for about a month or so ago. So i see this as an opportunity to have a good job in my profession or the opportunity to have a new career (maybe it's time to let go of Graphic Design?)

Now, on May 6 I am going to take my ASVAB and eventually the MEPS. I am trying to research heavily on the 25M, trying to find out how it is as a career in the long run. Where this MOS gets stationed, and the type of work they contribute to the army other than making print brochures or advertisements (i'm hoping being able to design 2d/3d, AR, VR type of environments or medical illustrations).

Does anyone have any info about this 25MOS?

HTacianas · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Hi everyone. I am here because I am in the process of making a very important decision which is going into the Military at the age of 32 years old.

Why you ask? There are several reasons, but most of it is career wise.
I a multimedia designer (graphic design to be exact), I have a BA and MA in Multimedia Design with about 3-5 years professional experience. However, this is a hard career to make a living in. I've been unemployed since August and I'm getting sick and tired of not being able to progress into my career and meet my life goals (getting married,have kids, and being financially capable to support them).

The US Army advertised a position known as Multimedia Illustrator (25M) in which I applied for about a month or so ago. So i see this as an opportunity to have a good job in my profession or the opportunity to have a new career (maybe it's time to let go of Graphic Design?)

Now, on May 6 I am going to take my ASVAB and eventually the MEPS. I am trying to research heavily on the 25M, trying to find out how it is as a career in the long run. Where this MOS gets stationed, and the type of work they contribute to the army other than making print brochures or advertisements (i'm hoping being able to design 2d/3d, AR, VR type of environments or medical illustrations).

Does anyone have any info about this 25MOS?

I don't have any information on that MOS, but if you have that level of education you should skip enlisting at all and look into becoming a commissioned officer.

Silverback · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Hi everyone. I am here because I am in the process of making a very important decision which is going into the Military at the age of 32 years old.

Why you ask? There are several reasons, but most of it is career wise.
I a multimedia designer (graphic design to be exact), I have a BA and MA in Multimedia Design with about 3-5 years professional experience. However, this is a hard career to make a living in. I've been unemployed since August and I'm getting sick and tired of not being able to progress into my career and meet my life goals (getting married,have kids, and being financially capable to support them).

The US Army advertised a position known as Multimedia Illustrator (25M) in which I applied for about a month or so ago. So i see this as an opportunity to have a good job in my profession or the opportunity to have a new career (maybe it's time to let go of Graphic Design?)

Now, on May 6 I am going to take my ASVAB and eventually the MEPS. I am trying to research heavily on the 25M, trying to find out how it is as a career in the long run. Where this MOS gets stationed, and the type of work they contribute to the army other than making print brochures or advertisements (i'm hoping being able to design 2d/3d, AR, VR type of environments or medical illustrations).

Does anyone have any info about this 25MOS?

I was Navy for 22 years, so I have no information on that MOS. However, I applaud your decision to enlist and serve our nation, and people.

Carry on soldier.

A Realist · Apr 22, 2019

HTacianas said:
I don't have any information on that MOS, but if you have that level of education you should skip enlisting at all and look into becoming a commissioned officer.

Unless you go through ROTC or a military college (West Point, etc.), you will have to enlist first, and then apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS).

With that level of education, you can get promoted to E4 very fast. Promotion to E4 with a college degree used to be at six months after enlistment, not sure what it is now.

I've been retired from the Army for 17 years now, so this may have changed.

Cis.jd · Apr 22, 2019

A Realist said:
Unless you go through ROTC or a military college (West Point, etc.), you will have to enlist first, and then apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS).

With that level of education, you can get promoted to E4 very fast. Promotion to E4 with a college degree used to be at six months after enlistment, not sure what it is now.

I've been retired from the Army for 17 years now, so this may have changed.

Will I be able to enter BTC as an E-4? Also, does this OCS come after AIT?

I'm also interested to know about the retirement benefits especially for someone my age (32).

AvgJoe · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Hi everyone. I am here because I am in the process of making a very important decision which is going into the Military at the age of 32 years old.

Why you ask? There are several reasons, but most of it is career wise.
I a multimedia designer (graphic design to be exact), I have a BA and MA in Multimedia Design with about 3-5 years professional experience. However, this is a hard career to make a living in. I've been unemployed since August and I'm getting sick and tired of not being able to progress into my career and meet my life goals (getting married,have kids, and being financially capable to support them).

The US Army advertised a position known as Multimedia Illustrator (25M) in which I applied for about a month or so ago. So i see this as an opportunity to have a good job in my profession or the opportunity to have a new career (maybe it's time to let go of Graphic Design?)

Now, on May 6 I am going to take my ASVAB and eventually the MEPS. I am trying to research heavily on the 25M, trying to find out how it is as a career in the long run. Where this MOS gets stationed, and the type of work they contribute to the army other than making print brochures or advertisements (i'm hoping being able to design 2d/3d, AR, VR type of environments or medical illustrations).

Does anyone have any info about this 25MOS?

An overview of 25M~~~> Multimedia Illustrator (25M)

Also, do you have what it takes to meet the physical requirements~~~> Army Basic Training PFT

Albion · Apr 22, 2019

I know next to nothing about this, but I do know a fellow of about the same age who chose to join the service (not the Army, but a different branch) but he was shunted off to the reserves after signing up and going through training in some technical field, simply because of his age (or so he said). Be careful, therefore.

A Realist · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Will I be able to enter BTC as an E-4? Also, does this OCS come after AIT?

Like I said, I'm not sure what the policy is now. I can tell you that if you are allowed to enlist as an E4, you probably won't be allowed to actually wear the rank (even if you are being paid at that grade) until after BCT.

Yes, OCS will come after AIT if you choose to go that route.

Cis.jd said:
I'm also interested to know about the retirement benefits especially for someone my age (32).

At your age, you will be allowed to remain in the Army for 20 years in order to receive full retirement benefits; however you will not be allowed to remain in the service that long unless you have reached E-6 pay grade.

AvgJoe · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
I'm also interested to know about the retirement benefits especially for someone my age (32).

I know a little about this, as my son became a Marine, active duty, in 2017 and I researched all of it for him. The DoD's retirement plan is the same across all four service branches (not sure about the Coast Guard), although there are some differences between active duty and reserve duty benefits.

You'd be in the Blended Retirement System (BRS)~~~> Blended Retirement

It has a saving plan, similar to a 401k plan, called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Por...ed Contribution.pdf?ver=2017-12-15-093233-913

Between 8 to 12 years of service, it has a Continuation Pay feature~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Por...ontinuation Pay.pdf?ver=2017-12-08-134845-997

If you stay in for 20 years, you'll receive a pension~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Por...Defined Benefit.pdf?ver=2017-12-08-135008-747

Here's a good calculator to see how it all works out~~~> Military Compensation > Calculators > Blended Retirement System Comparison Calculator

Cis.jd · Apr 22, 2019

AvgJoe said:
I know a little about this, as my son became a Marine, active duty, in 2017 and I researched all of it for him. The DoD's retirement plan is the same across all four service branches (not sure about the Coast Guard), although there are some differences between active duty and reserve duty benefits.

You'd be in the Blended Retirement System (BRS)~~~> Blended Retirement

It has a saving plan, similar to a 401k plan, called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/BlendedRetirementDocuments/Fact Sheet-Defined Contribution.pdf?ver=2017-12-15-093233-913

Between 8 to 12 years of service, it has a Continuation Pay feature~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/BlendedRetirementDocuments/Fact Sheet-Continuation Pay.pdf?ver=2017-12-08-134845-997

If you stay in for 20 years, you'll receive a pension~~~> https://militarypay.defense.gov/Portals/3/Documents/BlendedRetirementDocuments/Fact Sheet-Defined Benefit.pdf?ver=2017-12-08-135008-747

Here's a good calculator to see how it all works out~~~> Military Compensation > Calculators > Blended Retirement System Comparison Calculator

Thanks, i will check on this. In regards to the Officer role. I see that the 25M is only an enlisted type and doesn't have Officer as an option. My friend who was in the army managed to hook me up with a recruiter who claims to be a 25M for 14 years, and he said that 25M's can become Art directors to Editors. I'm not sure how that works in the US Army. There is just very little info about this MOS and I just want to make sure the recruiting isn't lying.

You know any good Army forums where I can ask this stuff?

RDKirk · Apr 22, 2019

A Realist said:
Unless you go through ROTC or a military college (West Point, etc.), you will have to enlist first, and then apply for Officer Candidate School (OCS).

With that level of education, you can get promoted to E4 very fast. Promotion to E4 with a college degree used to be at six months after enlistment, not sure what it is now.

I've been retired from the Army for 17 years now, so this may have changed.

No, it does not require enlistment first. In fact, it's easier to enter if one is not first enlisted.

RDKirk · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Thanks, i will check on this. In regards to the Officer role. I see that the 25M is only an enlisted type and doesn't have Officer as an option. My friend who was in the army managed to hook me up with a recruiter who claims to be a 25M for 14 years, and he said that 25M's can become Art directors to Editors. I'm not sure how that works in the US Army. There is just very little info about this MOS and I just want to make sure the recruiting isn't lying.

You know any good Army forums where I can ask this stuff?

You are already inquiring on City-Data, which has some pretty knowledgeable people in that forum. You'd only get better information directly from a recruiter.

But it's true that officer occupations are much broader than enlisted occupations. Officers generally begin in leadership roles rather than as "workers," except in fields that require college education upfront rather than military training schools (like civil engineering, for instance).

A Realist · Apr 22, 2019

RDKirk said:
No, it does not require enlistment first. In fact, it's easier to enter if one is not first enlisted.

In order to qualify for Officer Candidate School as a civilian, you must be:

A U.S. citizen
A college graduate with at least a four-year degree
Between 19 and 32 years old (you must enter active duty or ship to training by your 33rd birthday and accept commission prior to age 34)
Eligible for a secret security clearance

Officer Candidate School and Army OCS Requirements
All About Army Officer Candidate School Enlistment Options

In order to enter active duty, you must enlist first. You will have to go through at least basic training before going to OCS.

I was incorrect that he must enlist before applying for OCS. He can apply for OCS with a recruiter before entering the service, but he still must enlist and complete at least BCT.

Cis.jd, talk to your Army recruiter and he/she will spell out the requirements.

A Realist · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Thanks, i will check on this. In regards to the Officer role. I see that the 25M is only an enlisted type and doesn't have Officer as an option. My friend who was in the army managed to hook me up with a recruiter who claims to be a 25M for 14 years, and he said that 25M's can become Art directors to Editors. I'm not sure how that works in the US Army. There is just very little info about this MOS and I just want to make sure the recruiting isn't lying.

You know any good Army forums where I can ask this stuff?

Army officer career specialties are here:
Officer Careers & Specialties

Cis.jd · Apr 22, 2019

RDKirk said:
You are already inquiring on City-Data, which has some pretty knowledgeable people in that forum. You'd only get better information directly from a recruiter.

But it's true that officer occupations are much broader than enlisted occupations. Officers generally begin in leadership roles rather than as "workers," except in fields that require college education upfront rather than military training schools (like civil engineering, for instance).

Yes, i've been in the City-Data asking the same question. It's the MOS that is hard to get good info about other than what is in the goarmy website. I believe it was 81E back in the day.
My concern is that this MOS is a dead end type of MOS in where the pay isn't just bad but I will not progress in it, much more of it being available.. unless I leave the army after my contract and pursue a civilian job. With a Bachelors and Masters in Multimedia, it feels like a huge risk for me career wise or I may have to embrace the reality and just let go and pursue a different career since this hasn't been good to me for many years.

Thanks for the reply by the way.

AvgJoe · Apr 22, 2019

Cis.jd said:
You know any good Army forums where I can ask this stuff?

No, sorry, I don't.

(° ͡ ͜ ͡ʖ ͡ °) (ᵔᴥᵔʋ) · May 20, 2019

Cis.jd said:
Will I be able to enter BTC as an E-4? Also, does this OCS come after AIT?

I'm also interested to know about the retirement benefits especially for someone my age (32).

The retirement system has changed in the last couple years. Under the blended retirement system you can receive a pension of 2% of your base pay for every year you serve. For example, if you serve 12 years, you get 24% of your base pay for the rest of your life.

Joining the US Army at 32 years old

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