Current military pilot whose commitment will end at 32. Too old to start?

[TheOfficeFan]

Hello fellow military members!

A little about me. I am a pilot starting to think about my options when my eight year commitment is up. My first two thoughts were going 20 years in the service to retirement, or the airlines. I've also been thinking about getting out and going to dental school.

However, I studied business in undergrad and haven't taken science since AP chemistry in high school. Is 32 too old to start the process? Anybody seen somebody like me making it happen?

Thanks!

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[Herme]

It definitely has been done before. You'll need to fulfill all the prerequisites, as you probably already know to get into dental school. Go in the Predental forum and maybe the Dental forum and search "nontraditional applicants"

You should find a bunch of threads with useful info. Good Luck!

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

Hello fellow military members!

A little about me. I am a pilot starting to think about my options when my eight year commitment is up. My first two thoughts were going 20 years in the service to retirement, or the airlines. I've also been thinking about getting out and going to dental school.

However, I studied business in undergrad and haven't taken science since AP chemistry in high school. Is 32 too old to start the process? Anybody seen somebody like me making it happen?

Thanks!

Your age ..... not even close to being old for d-school. I have multiple classmates who are in their 40's - oldest who is 47. I am 37. I was 33 when I applied, Now, I had all my requirements from undergrad many years before, so I didn't have to do my pre-reqs again. But no matter what, don't even think 32 is getting old to start the process. 🙂

BTW ... what branch are you in?

 

[krmower]

Hello fellow military members!

A little about me. I am a pilot starting to think about my options when my eight year commitment is up. My first two thoughts were going 20 years in the service to retirement, or the airlines. I've also been thinking about getting out and going to dental school.

However, I studied business in undergrad and haven't taken science since AP chemistry in high school. Is 32 too old to start the process? Anybody seen somebody like me making it happen?

Thanks!

If you get into school that is the hard part. Because of your prior service, it will shift most age requirements to the right - so you shouldn't run into any problems there. You will still have plenty of time to get 20 yrs (or more) as an officer.

 

[Saddleshoes]

Hello fellow military members!

A little about me. I am a pilot starting to think about my options when my eight year commitment is up. My first two thoughts were going 20 years in the service to retirement, or the airlines. I've also been thinking about getting out and going to dental school.

However, I studied business in undergrad and haven't taken science since AP chemistry in high school. Is 32 too old to start the process? Anybody seen somebody like me making it happen?

Thanks!

Oh Man! You can SO do this!
The Air Guard is full of dentist that where in your position a few years ago.

Give some thought to this game plan...
1.Find out what Air Guard units are flying your aircraft.
2. Plan on moving to that state(s) after you leave the active Air Force and transfer to that Air Guard Unit. (Give preference to states with lots of school options and a dental school or two)
3. Plan on going back to school at a university near that unit to get your science education up to date.
4. Invest a couple of years in science study and part time flying.(Use the GI AND Air Guard benefits to pay for your schooling.)
5. Take the DAT and apply to Dental School
6. Go to Dental school and continue to fly part time. (Use the GI AND Air Guard benefits to pay for your schooling.)
7. Graduate from D School, start a successful dental career and continue to fly and/or be an Air Guard Dentist. (While you continue to add retirement points to your sheet.)
8. Become a Full Bird and commander of an Air Guard Medical unit. (They love to get former fliers to command medical units in the Air Guard)
9. Retire from the Air Force/Air Guard after your 20 years and take a nice retirement package with you.
10. Work on as a dentist into the sunset and live happily ever after.

I have a few friends that did this program. One guy was a real hustler and he retired as a one star in command of the whole Army/Air guard in his state.

 

[ajaxkid]

This is hilarious. I'm in almost the exact same situation. I'm a helicopter pilot in the Army. I finish my committment in june 2011 and hope to start dental school that fall. I will be 31 when I start. The nice thing about doing dentistry through the military is your prior service time will count towards retirement and your retirement benefits will largely make up for the peak earning years you might have had as a younger dentist. Definately not too late. You're probably the third or fourth person I have seen in our situation.

 

[subdoc]

I am starting D School this summer at age 32. I just finished up my stint as a sub officer. You're definitely not too old.

Best of luck. Your background will do you wonders!

 

[Kabek]

Hello fellow military members!

A little about me. I am a pilot starting to think about my options when my eight year commitment is up. My first two thoughts were going 20 years in the service to retirement, or the airlines. I've also been thinking about getting out and going to dental school.

Thanks!

Funny, I actually looked into going the opposite direction over to the flight side from the AMEDD side. There were to many variables going to the line side and no guarantees. I found that the AMEDD will give no support in losing someone to the line side.

A good buddy of mine who was a pilot recently got out after being deployed 6 out of 8 years just back and forth between Iraq and Afghanistan.

As for your age, no worries.

Chase it if it is your desire.

 

[Tooth]

The director of my AEGD program is a former Navy pilot. He did it. He still wears his aviator shoes and does what he calls the 50 flight dip in his garrison cover. You can do it.

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

The director of my AEGD program is a former Navy pilot. He did it. He still wears his aviator shoes and does what he calls the 50 flight dip in his garrison cover. You can do it.

Are you at Camp Pendleton? If so, your director is a good guy.

 

[polkadds]

Definitely not too old. I am in just the opposite of your position. I had a pilot slot in the AF, while I was waiting for my training date I was flying for an airline. I got laid off from the airline, and decided that the aviation business was better as a hobby then a career. Being a dentist will allow me to keep aviation as a hobby. I separated from the AF when I made this decision, but I sure hope I can get an HPSP slot so I can still fulfill the "serving my country" itch I have.

I will be 28 when I start school (hopefully) but I know many people who have started much later. Now I just need to figure out a way to convince the AF that we need flight dentists in addition to flight docs (pilots gotta have their teeth worked on too)... haha I'll find a way to get into a T-6 cockpit one way or another.

Either way, good luck with your decision. Just know that the airlines don't have much to offer you right now!

 

[jim85213]

There are 7 people in my class of 60 that are over age 35, 2 of which are 50, 1 is in her mid/late-40's and is a Navy HPSP student. There should be some encouragement for you right there.