I am interested in locating all possible resources for obtaining
'advanced placement' in the armed forces.  By this I mean direct
commissioning as an officer (at the rank of at least Major, or
preferably higher) given a Ph.D., 9 years holding a license to
practice a medical profession (clinical psychology), extensive
publications, frequent interviews on major radio & television stations
(CBS, ABC, etc), several articles in major newspapers (New York Times,
Los Angeles Times, etc), additionally holding a certification in web
programming, and 11 years owning and operating a 3 million dollar
consulting company.

More specifically I am interested in:

- Books and/or preparation guides appropriate to obtaining such an
advanced commission

- Locating special recruiting programs/offices for this type of direct
commission

- Information about how to position my experience above and beyond the
standard Ph.D. (which seems to result in a Captain's commission)

- Finding attorneys who specialize in military recruiting and/or
(especially) military direct commission issues to assist me in
obtaining this assignment

- Understanding the specific military assignments which might be
appropriate for someone with my credentials in the various armed
forces

- Dealing with any age restriction difficulties (I am 38 years old,
and this is beyond the stated maximum of some services)

- Understanding if possibly BETTER assignments/commissions might be
available through non-medical-corps officer programs?

IN A NUTSHELL: Essentially, I have priced this question at the highest
level in anticipation that someone will do extensive research and
prepare a very detailed report for me that will aid me in best
utilizing my skills and experience in a high-rank position in the
United States armed services.  I am looking to have a report that
serves as a main resource document that I will work through over the
next few months while investigating possibilities and making up my
mind about the available options.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFO TO HELP YOU:  In order to complete this assignment,
it might be helpful to view my internet biography at the URL: 
http://www.executive-solutions.com/abo/bios/1.shtml --> this is a
biography on our main company website.  (You can also review the
website to learn more about the services I have been overseeing). 
Please bear in mind that this biography is oriented to my corporate
experience and expertise.  The other side of my career has involved
seeing over 500 couples and families in my clinical practice, which in
recent years has leaned extensively towards men of military age (18 -
26).

Finally, below is a ranked list of my top skills/certifications.

MY SKILLS         /     LEVEL OF EXPERTISE     / ENJOYMENT

Supervising Teams          + + + + + +            + + + + + + 
Creative Problem Solving   + + + + + +            + + + + + +
Teaching                   + + + + +              + + + + + +
Clinical Psych             + + + + + + +          + + + +
Writing/Publishing         + + + +                + + + +  
Public Relations           + + + +                + + + 
Internet Programming       + + +                  + + + 
Research Design            + + + +                + +
Statistical Analysis       + + + +                + + 

Please feel free to write to me with any request for clarification.  I
look forward to seeing what you put together.

Thanks,

:)

---

Request for Question Clarification by weisstho-ga on 25 Sep 2002 11:44 PDT

Hello glennjers,

Please confirm that you are interested in the armed forces of the
United States (i.e. that you are a U.S. citizen) - this is strongly
implied in your question, but not explicitly stated.

Please provide your date of birth, since that is a critical piece of
information.

Thanks,
weisstho-ga

---

Clarification of Question by glennjers-ga on 25 Sep 2002 15:52 PDT

Yes - thanks for asking.  I AM a United States Citizen, interested in
the armed forces of the United States.  My birthday is 8/26/1964

---

Request for Question Clarification by weisstho-ga on 27 Sep 2002 07:30 PDT

Still working on your question!

Question for you, please:  The United States has 7 "uniformed
services" which include the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines, but
also the Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health
Service, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
Would you consider the Public Health Service or the NOAA (though I
don't believe NOAA has anyone in your specialty, though that is not
yet confirmed)?

Still working . . . 

weisstho-ga

---

Clarification of Question by glennjers-ga on 27 Sep 2002 11:49 PDT

Thanks for your comments.  Just to clarify though, I had made a number
of recruiting calls to the health-professional divisions of each of
the armed services prior to posting this, and would not have posted it
if I hadn't heard (from at least two of them) that there ARE many
exceptions made for health care professionals (the US Army told me up
until age 48, for example).  It seemed to be a matter of doing
research to figure out what qualified people for those exceptions.

It's a hard question, I know (that's why I put it in the $200 range).

Feel free to request further clarification.

Glenn :)

I am almost positive that 38 is too old to join the U.S. military for
the first time, in any capacity, except as a civilian consultant, in
which case you're not actually "in" the military, but working for
them. (Your situation is not that you have been in the service at an
ealier age, and are now wishing to return as an Officer later in life,
correct?)

Which branch of the military are you interested in joining? Go to that
branch's website, where they list the age requirements. When the
military lists age "requirements," they are just that.

~omniscientbeing-ga

Although it is too early to say with certainty, there may be an option
for a person of 38 -

Certainly omniscientbeing-ga is correct as to basic qualifications for
direct commissions for most professional billets.

One thing for sure - the law allows for what glennjers desires -
whether policy permits is another question.

weisstho-ga

Hello glennjers,

I must say, this is a great question. I really am disappointed to tell
you though - that it will be near impossible to join at your age.

I spent 9 years active duty in the U.S. Marines, and there a few
workarounds for many things, with age being rather hard to circumvent.
There are waivers for drug use, felonies, weight, height, and
yes...age. (many more too)

In your case - I stated almost impossible :

A) Do you know any high ranking officials? Family maybe?

B) Have you talked to a recruiter yet?

Let me know if you need some contacts as far as your case is
concerned. I can only offer Marine Corps contacts, but most services
work the same.

Good Luck -
SgtCory

Scratch my recruiter comment - seems I skipped a paragraph in my reading.

SgtCory

I think you should re-post your Question (this one is about to
Expire), but rewritten in a fashion that exposes he "tricky" issue
here:  Your age.

This crucial fact was buried in your resume/listing of accomlishments,
whereas I thi it should be the most prominent thing, as it is by far
your mmost serious obstacle (in my opinion insurmountable, but $200
answers which give unwanted results tendto be rejected, so I'll
refrain from answering).

I recommended reposting he Question as a ore focused inquiry
specifically how to--if possible--have military age requirements
waived.

~omniscientbeing-ga