<p>collegeprof: * If anything, my experience is that slightly older students do better--they're more mature and motivated, more likely to realize how important a college education is, less clueless about the world around them, etc.*</p>
<p>I definitely agree with collegeprof on the above.</p>
<p>coureur: * But, as a general trend, the longer one stays out of school the harder it is to get back in. Life just tends to intervene: You meet a girl when you are in the Air Force. You get married, and next thing you know you are 34 years old and have three kids that need an employed father, and you never managed to go to college. I've seen many examples of this.*</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I also agree with coureur that this can happen too.</p>
<p>* So if the military is right for you, by all means go for it. But if you really want to go to college too, you are going to have to remain very disciplined and very focused on your goal.*</p>
<p>Lots of GI-bill veterans with families managed to keep that discipline and focus on their goals after WW II, so it can be done. </p>
<p>And, in this day and age of technology, credit by examination, and distance-learning, you may find it easier than ever to get a head start on earning college credits while you are still on active duty. Check out CLEPs, DANTEs, and any local colleges or cc's near the bases where you end up getting stationed. The military will often be very willing to support your efforts to pick up these credits along the way. That way you'll be able to "hit the ground running" educationally as soon as you finish your term of service.</p>