preparing and chances for reserve at age 39?

[PanaEng]

+1 for PPCLI Guy for looking into your motivation.
Case in point: myself. After getting out in 97 as a 2Lt reg force (after 12 yrs NCM/OCdt) , I joined the reserve unit near me. Had to do the ph training again split into 2 summers due to civie job. There were a couple of guys in their 50's in the first course! I was the oldest in the second summer (45) but I was more fit than 60% of the course (mostly in their 20's).
Fitness could be an issue but since Armoured officer is WAY EASIER than Combat Eng Officer  ;D ....
At my unit I have been a Tp comd for a few years (vision category issues ;-)  Tp comd is the best job for an officer - followed closely by Adj ;-) )
The thing is, although I love being a Tp comd, I spend most of my time planning, coordinating, emailing, writing, reviewing rather than doing physical things. On exercise, it is frustrating, everyone is doing but I am supervising - once in a while I get to show the young guys how things are done properly but it's rare.  I  spend more time on evenings/brakes doing Tp admin stuff than my other job, hobbies/leisure.
Another factor is progression. If you want to be the OC (Sqn Comd.) or higher, you will run into the "potential" factor: younger officers have more "potential" to go higher in the ranks and as a result are sometimes given more opportunities -> better PER's.
One of the guys in my regiment, a Cpl, is a AS7/EX1 in his day job (equivalent to Maj) - he could easily have gone up trough the ranks and be a MWO or Maj by now; however, he is one of our Hvy Eqpt operators; he gets to show up and drive a big truck, excavator, etc. He loves that and wouldn't trade it for anything (higher pay/status is not the motivator).
So, the bottom line is, do you want to plan the trg and teach the young guys (something you do during the day) and spend a whole bunch of your precious free time doing paperwork or do you want to play with the big toys and drive around in the bush and shoot things?

CHIMO!

 

[sandyson]

My experience is that as an older officer, you will be shuffled into administration as soon as possible.  Officers have few opportunities to be in command of any group in the reserves.  There are too few equipments, too few positions, and too little time, such that  any troop leading or "squadron" commanding is spent on young officer potential who will more probably lead troops on a call out.  So:  if your want to make a valuable contribution to the regiment, it will need reliable competent officers to do the massive amount of "administering".  You will attend armoured courses in order to fill higher admin positions, not to command some future  combat group.  That means you will have inadequate experience when you arrive on course.  (I found that tough.)  If you survive, you can still become a CO.  Or:  you can join the regiment to have fun. and therefore join as a trooper.  Nothing in my opinion beats the rank of master corporal in the position of crew commander.  You will for ever be in contact with troops--unlike the officer position, and trucks & guns beat computers any time.  If the trooper lives in a less than comfortable atmosphere, don't for a moment consider weekends in stuffy conference rooms much better.  That is why competent reliable administrators are usually in short supply.  Either way, the reserves need you: join.

 

[Cardstonkid]

I (re)joined when I was 40 as an officer. I was fit enough to pass the express test with exemption as an 18 year old. It is true that age is a factor. Being "fit" is one thing, and being able to take the grind of a long field ex is another.

There is also the factor of being able to learn vast amounts of material in a very short amount of time, and then be expected to apply it. I find my trade, artillery, to be very challenging mentally.

I never joined with the illusion that I will rise to the lofty strata of a senior officer, but I did join thinking I could do some good. I am glad I got back in. It has been five years now, and I can honestly say it has been rewarding to serve, and it has become a big part of my life. If I have any regrets, it is that I came in as an officer. I do important, even vital work in my unit, BUT admin SUCKS, and that is the majority of the work done by officers.  :-X  Being an officer is an honor, the work is important, and someone has to do it.,so  I have no real regrets, just jealousy of NCM's I guess. 

It is important to decide what you are joining for and what you want to accomplish. Being a little mature is a real help to a unit, as long as you are fit and willing to do the considerable work to become fully trained. 

You are not too old, you are needed, and you can do it. Good luck.

 

[RangerRay]

Thanks guys! 

I'm leaning in favour of joining as an NCM.  Probably the big deciding factor is the location and time requirements for Basic/Trades/Phase training.  The more I can do "locally" (unit/brigade/LFA), the easier it would be for me.  Advancement in rank isn't a big motivator for me; at this stage in my life, I would be happy to be a Cpl/Capt for life  ;D.