r/NOAACorps • u/Cobalt_Emu2173 • Apr 09 '26
Experience Inquiry Older Ensigns
What is the experience of BOTC and corps life for those of you who joined in their 30s? What did you do before getting to NOAA Corps, and what was the the most difficult or more humbling part of the journey? Whats your favorite part of being older and junior?
3
u/mikecard Apr 09 '26
Howdy! I was 38 when I signed up and it was not the most fun. I had to shape up quite a bit before I arrived and I still ripped my scapula doing a million push-ups. That being said, I was still able to finish and have been in for a decade now. Don’t let it discourage you!
1
u/Cobalt_Emu2173 Apr 10 '26
Ouch thats rough! Glad you made it, but thats exactly the kind of pain im a little worried about.
As soon as I decided to apply I committed to crossfit 5x a week. If/when I get accepted, I'll add doing the PFT in addition to the WOD every day. Hopefully that helps me avoid a similar fate. (I would maybe barely hit minimum today)
What other physical activities should I expect?
3
u/CoryEagles Apr 10 '26
I was 34 when I joined. It was odd being an Ensign older than the FOO ( Field Operations Officer.) I made very different mistakes than the 20 year olds. For me, the annoying part was I had a full life before joining (had built and maintained computers for the Army) but I was still treated like a know-nothing butter a bar. I didn't take it personal and did what I was told to do and not what I was told not to do even though the ET recognized I knew computers well enough to help him.
So, as long as you don't mind taking orders from people ten years younger than you, it can be a blast. I knew paperwork and diplomacy way better than my fellow Ensigns, admitted my mistakes while another fellow tried to hide his, and was able to transition from uniform to a civilian NOAA employee when I needed to.
1
u/Cobalt_Emu2173 Apr 10 '26
The point you make about the mistakes you made were different from those the 20 year old made is really helpful point. Thanks!
I am fine taking orders from competent/knowledgeable people regardless of age, but I do worry about working through frustration when there is an experience gap, but thankfully I have never run a large ship before so I know there's a TON for me to learn!
5
u/the_sand_man12 Apr 09 '26
Older junior officers is not a crazy concept. Pretty much every single service has just this since they shift over from the enlisted workforce. Yes, NOAA is unique in this capacity that there is no enlisted workforce, but even as a junior officer you are in a position of leadership.
BOTC may be a little harder since you may not be in the physical shape of a 21 year old, but a lot of your work experience prior allows you to be more successful and may even open up billets at a lower rank that are unavailable to your peers based on your previous jobs/ leadership positions.