Hello,

I am a 37 yr. old lawyer, married, 2 kids. I long to serve and be a leader. I would like to join military intelligence. I have learned that I could start as 35M and then try to get into a 35L position.

Any advice?
Am I too old? (I know I will need an age waiver)?
If I talk to a recruiter, how long does the process take?
I speak Spanish and could probably be fluent in no time...

I just need perspectives as I consider this path.

Should I be an officer? Would I start as O-1 with a JD degree?

Thank you!

very interesting!
How would I fare as an older soldier? Does it disadvantage me?

what is the difference between Warrant and OCS?

I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

so if I became an officer - I would go to basic training first and then to OCS?

Then I could get placed anywhere?

How is OCS different than basic?

Don't know too much about coming in and going to OCS--I was always under the impression that much like the High School to Flight School program one had to go through BCT first, and then one went on to the requisite officer formation course.

As far as coming in as a warrant officer, the only warrant officer MOS that is open to non-prior service personnel full-time is the 153A program--again, high school to flight school. Some other warrant officer specialties open for non-prior service personnel from time to time, but the skill-set required to enter those programs tend to be so specific and the bar so high that few civilians generally qualify. Those that do usually also qualify for OCS, so it becomes a toss-up--do I go with the better pay and wider, more far-reaching responsibilities with less specialization, or do I go with less pay, but a more focused and specialized field with greater opportunity to stay within my chosen career path?