Seeking a Commission at age 47

I am a former sailor. Actually, I am a former recipient of a full Marine Corps/Navy ROTC scholarship to Purdue University back in 1984. I started great for the first year, then I didn't make it my priority. My grades suffered greatly and I lost that scholarship on DOR. If you are unfamiliar with that acronym, it simply means I 'dropped on request'. While I wish I could say that I could have succeeded at being an officer then, I would probably be lying.

When someone signs up for the military, regardless of the nature, they are obligated to serve. So, when I signed the DOR, I was obligated to serve my time and chose to do it as an enlisted sailor, a Botswains Mate or "Deck Ape" - a position I still hold as the greatest job that I ever had and I have ever loved. I drove cranes. I drove boats, I cleaned fittings. I fought fires. I swabbed decks(mopped ship floors for you land lubbers). I chipped and painted a ship twice in a two year span.

I loved it. I went around the world and just had the time of my life. I turned 22 in Australia. I received an AFE medal just for serving on board a great ship, the USS Emory S. Land. I wouldn't trade the time I spent nor the friends I made while I served on board her.

I loved the time so much that when I reached my EAOS (End of Active Obligated Service), I signed up to be a part of the Houston Reserve Center. I didn't like drilling as much as I did being on board ship. But, I managed to serve another year an a half in Houston. Then, my career in the Navy ended in January of 1992.

Fast Forward to September 11, 2001. I was one of the first ones in line at the Recruiter's office to get back in after the attacks on the WTC. I took the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and scored in the 99th percentile. That means that I scored better than 99% of all others that had taken the ASVAB. I was pumped and my recruiter told me I was set for any billet(position) they had in the Navy.

Then, I broke my hand and knew I couldn't pass MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), the wonderful physical given to entering military personnel to see if they are physically and mentally worthy to serve. So, I set that back on my 'bucket list'.

Ten years later, my son graduated from High School and asked me to help him get into the Navy. I contacted a good friend, and the then Commanding Officer of the Louisville Reserve Center. He set up an appointment and my son and I met him at the Reserve Center. My friend literally shut down the Center to allow his enlisted people speak to my son about their jobs in the Navy, and what he should expect when he gets in. In the end, my son did not join the Navy due to some medical concerns.

At one point during this trip, my good friend the Commander leaned over and asked me, "Now that you have your degree, you can get a commission." I was floored. I had forgotten about my desire to get back in. I was immediately in contact with an officer recruiter. The recruiter told me quickly that my chances of getting a commission were slim to none based on my age and my health. Waivers were available, but he told me that the competition was very steep. I gave up the dream.

Or so I thought.....

I met an officer recruiter the other day at a recruiting event (I am a recruiter in the civilian world), and he was certain that I could find a way back in. I was intrigued. I was driven. I wanted this. I just had to get my wife to "get on board".

Much to my surprise, she was all about it. As a matter of fact, she said, "Nothing would make me happier than to see you accomplish a goal you set out to complete decades ago!" I love her so much.

So, I realized that my health and physical condition were really the only obstacles from keeping me from attaining this goal.

ENTER MYFITNESSPAL!!!!

I had used it in the past, but not seriously.

IT JUST GOT REAL important to get physically fit. I had a goal to keep, and part of that goal is to be physically ready to defend my country. I spoke a oath a very long ago, and I planned on holding up to my part of the bargain!

Here are my goals:

1) Meet the Navy BMI requirements. For my age, that means to weight less than 195 lbs. I weighed 203 the other day. With my current exercise regimen, I should meet that criteria in about a 14 days.

2) Pass the Navy Physical Readiness Test. Hold up - not just pass, but pass with Excellent or above. Here is the criteria for that to happen:

MALES:  AGE 45 TO 49 YEARS

PERFORMANCE  POINTS CURL PUSH 1.5-MILE SWIM
CATEGORY   UPS  UPS RUN   500-YD
Maximum          100        88       68         9:33        7:08  
Outstanding 90 81 63 10:30 8:08
Excellent 75 73 52 12:08 9:23
Good 60 40 32 14:53 12:08
Satisfactory 45 31 21 16:08 13:38
Failure  <45 <31  <21 >16:08 >13:08

So far, I am already able to pass with a Satisfactory. (BTW - A curl-up, in civilian-speak is a sit-up)

To make Excellent, I need to improve my curl-ups, my push-ups, and my run. My swim, I can do with my eyes closed. If I keep up the work on the running, my swimming will come along as well.

a) I ran a mile in 10:30 seconds just yesterday. That's the equivalent of 1.5 miles in 15:45 seconds mathematically. Of course, I need to improve and move up to 1.5 miles, but it's very encouraging to know that I just started this less than a week ago.

b) To check my ability, I did 35 curl-ups in two minutes on my first try. It's failing, but without any practice - it's exciting to see. I have a good work out regimen that includes daily sit-ups with gradual increases, plus I am in my 5th day of the 30 day plank challenge.

c) Again, to check my ability, I did 48 push-ups in two minutes on the very first try. Passing, but not at my goal. I just started a push-up challenge also. It's only a 10 day challenge, but I believe I should get back into ship-shape quickly.

d) Swimming was my varsity sport all four years in High School. Not bragging, but I am fairly confident that I can meet the 500 yard swim requirement. But, just to be on the safe side, I plan to begin a swimming regimen, on a weekly basis, to improve that also. My limit on this one is access to a facility.

3) I am also currently on BP, Chol., and Diab. meds. My DR says that all meds can be thrown away if I simply find an exercise routine that improves my current vitals. Those vitals are on the way down - on all three.

Oh, remember that good friend of mine that closed down the Reserve Center in Louisville to help my son get in? Yea, he has offered to write a letter of recommendation to help me get this commission.

Anyway, I appreciate any encouragement any of you may have to offer, especially those of you that are future, current, or former service members.

One more thing, I have a good friend and former civilian subordinate that came to me with a desire to get into the Navy. He was very out of shape, but very excited. I could see his enthusiasm. He went to a recruiter and was told he would have to improve his BMI. He began in earnest to improve, and has just about completed that goal. Then he realized he was not in running shape. I told him about MYFITNESSPAL. Now he and I keep track of, and encourage each other.

Anyway, I have some exercises to complete. Fair winds and following seas ya'll!