My story is pretty much this...

I actually wanted to be a soldier when I was a kid/teenager. Then I got out of high school and started working, did some college, got some pretty decent paying jobs, was more concerned about getting laid, drinking with buddies, etc. I just kind of forgot about my interest in the military because, well, life happened. Now that I am older (I will be 34 in February) I have been reflecting and come to the conclusion that while our country may have its problems it is still the best country in the world (to me, no offense Europeans ). I've lived a pretty damned good life in this country and feel like I need to give back before it is too late (age-wise).

So, since I've let me myself go a bit health-wise the last four or five years I am not in pretty heavy training to drop the excess weight and prepare myself physically for BCT and whatever MOS I end up in (I biked 20 miles today). One of my goals is to not do the APFT standards for my age group but meet and surpass the 17-21 standards. Mentally, getting called gramps and having DI's scream at me is no big deal.

As far as MOS's go, because I will have finished my degree in psychology with a high GPA (around a 3.7 or 3. I was heavily considering trying out for PsyOps. Of course much depends on if there are openings as I don't really want to delay entry. That route would be very good for me because if I decide I do not want to stay in after four years then I could probably land a good job with Homeland or the FBI, etc. due to the degree and experience. My main concern is airborne school because I am not sure I can meet the 17-21 APFT standards for airborne, particularly the running. I'm also hitting all the old Russian hard so I can try and qualify.

Cavalry interest me too and I am sure Infantry is always taking bodies. The physical demands do not bother me (the marching and so on), I've always been able to handle carrying a lot of weight and I have the mental attitude to keep going until I collapse in total muscle failure and drool on myself. Never stop is my new motto in life.

I also considered that I could choose Cavalry or Infantry, work on the 17-21 standards and then transfer in to PsyOps if an opening came up but I can't go to airborne school after age 35. I'm probably over thinking this a lot and you are probably laughing at me right now!

Officer school occurred to me too, but I am really not sure I have any desire to be an officer. I could see myself much happier if I stay in past four years as an NCO. I like getting down and dirty over offices.

Anyway, this probably sounds all scattered but I am trying to give you a quick synopsis of something that has been on my mind a lot. I probably won't know anything for sure about job availabilities or job pathways until I speak with a recruiter and take the ASVAB again. I almost joined the Air Force in my mid-20's and I remember qualifying for every job in the Air Force except pilot (because of eyesight). I don't think I will be limited to much due to the ASVAB scores.

So, anyways, for now I just work on my fitness everyday and keep up my schoolwork to finish my degree up.

If you have any advice about anything please feel free to share. I wasn't really going to say anything about this decision until it came close to shipping off as I don't like the attention but I guess the cat is out of the bag.