I am in the midst of applying to the Navy for several officer programs, but from what I'm reading and hearing from everyone, the likelihood of getting into those programs is pretty narrow right now (with too many people in the Navy, and the military in general, right now). I have also heard that officer applicants can be waiting for a spot in OCS for up to a year, and the same with enlistees waiting for boot camp. I have just finished my M.S. in chemistry and have been offered to continue on toward my Ph.D in chemistry by another adviser, if I want to. No questions asked.
Given that I am 27.5 years old, and maximum age at time of commissioning for many officer programs in the Navy is 29, I would be ineligible for most of the officer jobs in the Navy if I chose to continue on with my doctorate (which would take probably another 3 years or so to complete...so I would be 31-32 when I finish with my Ph.D). Therefore, if I still wanted to join, I would be limited to either staff corps (max. age 42) or enlisting (max. age 34). But who knows, the economy might improve in that time and the difficulty in securing a spot in OCS or boot camp might be less so.
I am just looking for input from people who have military experience and knowledge, and what they would do if they were in my shoes. It is unfortunate, and very very poor timing on my part, that I did not join earlier. It has just complicated matters.
Thank you.
Given that I am 27.5 years old, and maximum age at time of commissioning for many officer programs in the Navy is 29, I would be ineligible for most of the officer jobs in the Navy if I chose to continue on with my doctorate (which would take probably another 3 years or so to complete...so I would be 31-32 when I finish with my Ph.D). Therefore, if I still wanted to join, I would be limited to either staff corps (max. age 42) or enlisting (max. age 34). But who knows, the economy might improve in that time and the difficulty in securing a spot in OCS or boot camp might be less so.
I am just looking for input from people who have military experience and knowledge, and what they would do if they were in my shoes. It is unfortunate, and very very poor timing on my part, that I did not join earlier. It has just complicated matters.
Thank you.