If AFPC makes me wait the mandatory 2 years before retraining, I will be past my 33rd birthday before I can turn my packet in. I will be past my 35th birthday after I am through the pipeline and AST. My main concern is if my body starts to fail me as I get closer to 40, will there still be opportunities for me within the Controller family? Or will the AF penalize me and force me out if I can not physically continue with the job?

check pm

True, you do slow down and wear out as you get older but it is hardly a death sentence. My PT Stan Eval score at 33 was only a few points lower than it was at it's best in my mid twenties. Age itself isn't the problem, making yourself train is and making yourself train smarter to avoid injury is even more difficult.
Now, if you become unable to pass the Physical or the PT Stan Eval, you will be unable to remain in the Career Field. If you are just having problems but can still pass, you are fine. Maybe you won't be anybody's first choice for the big mission but as long as you can still meet the standards, you can remain on the job.

SRA Bracken- There was a guy who just went through Phase 2 for STO selection... he was 35 and handed all of us our asses... especially in calisthenics. If you want it bad enough you can do it... no one can stop you if you want it.

G Walsh

[]SRA Bracken- There was a guy who just went through Phase 2 for STO selection... he was 35 and handed all of us our asses... especially in calisthenics. If you want it bad enough you can do it... no one can stop you if you want it.

G Walsh [/]

Not worried about being able to outdue the youngsters now. I am talking about as I get closer to 40. Due to me taking a 3 year break in service between the Army and Air Force, I will be 44 when I retire. I am researching all the positives and negatives of becoming a Controller. And my main concern is career progression as I get closer to retirement. And what other avenues within the CCT community are available for me if I can not effectively perform as a operator due to wear and tear on the body.