I am an E6 in the NY Army National Guard; the age cut off for new officers is 35, just as with enlisted. Kinda long in the tooth to go through basic and other officer schools, but it can be done. One of the guys in my unit just got commisioned at the age of about 36(he had 16 years as enlisted, so that extended his cut off age). We are HURTING terribly for officers. I personally passed on the offer because officers can be posted to far-flung units much easier than enlisted (We have to agree to drill more than 50 miles from our Home of Record; Officers have no such limit).
Part of the problem is that years ago, we were able to take advantage of ROTC cadets in their final year or two. It gave them command experience( they were paid at E5 scale) , and gave us a body in the command slot. Then someone had the brilliant complaint that the cadets were double dipping by getting their ROTC stipend AND the E5 pay. They were no longer available to us, and I think it hurt the training of officers in the long run. Oh, sure, the cadets had to have their hands held a bit, but so does ANY butter bar!
i say go for it if that is your dream. Me, i'll stick to being an NCO.
Part of the problem is that years ago, we were able to take advantage of ROTC cadets in their final year or two. It gave them command experience( they were paid at E5 scale) , and gave us a body in the command slot. Then someone had the brilliant complaint that the cadets were double dipping by getting their ROTC stipend AND the E5 pay. They were no longer available to us, and I think it hurt the training of officers in the long run. Oh, sure, the cadets had to have their hands held a bit, but so does ANY butter bar!
i say go for it if that is your dream. Me, i'll stick to being an NCO.