CAMP GRAYLING, Mich. – The Army Reserve has groups entering its ranks at many stages in their careers: fresh out of high school, newly graduated from college, or, more often, later in life.
Supporting this increasingly common later-life transition, the Army has increased its maximum non-prior-service enlistment age to 42. Army policies like this have helped many achieve their dream of service, even if they didn't take the same path as those who started earlier in life.
This is the case for Pfc. Orlando Bibiloni, motor transport operator, 705th Transportation Company, 319th Quarter Master Battalion, 34th Quarter Master Group, 310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, who attended the Northern Strike exercise here Aug. 1-15.
Bibiloni recounted shipping off to Basic Combat Training at 42 and ultimately graduating on his 43rd birthday, January 23rd of, 2026. His experience, different from most, made him stand out:
“In the beginning, a lot of Soldiers came up asking about joining with tattoos. Some assumed I was an undercover colonel or drill sergeant because I had gray hair,” Bibiloni said.
World and life experience matter, and being mixed in with a group of much younger Soldiers at basic training allowed Bibiloni to shape those around him.
“People started coming to me for guidance; some would ask, ‘What should I do here? You have experience, right?’” Bibiloni said. I made good friends and learned a lot from the younger Soldiers.”
Bibiloni said that he always aspired to enlist, but living in Wahiawa, Hawaii, always pulled him back to hang out at the beach. His family history would instead lead him to a contract job with the military that often took him overseas while supporting his family and his wife’s service commitment, who was then in the Air Force.
“Once I realized the age limit was coming up on me, I knew I had to do it or live a life of regret,” said Bibiloni. “When I told my friends and family I was joining at 42, their initial reaction was asking if it was a midlife crisis!”
Bibiloni explained that this wasn’t the case, and not everyone has the same path through life.
Bibiloni has been around the military his whole life. His father’s service brought their family to Hawaii in the eighties. Later in life, his wife’s Air Force career took their family to Seattle, Washington, Florida, Texas, and most recently Ohio.
Bibiloni hopes to one day have the honor of serving with his children if they choose military service.
“My son wants to join the military too—either the Air Force or Marines—so it would be cool for us to serve at the same time,” said Bibiloni.
One of Bibiloni’s fears upon enlisting was injury. Similar to the Army's current focus on holistic readiness, he focused on stretching, strength training, and what he put into his body to fuel his training.
“During basic training, they had a small gym setup with cables and kettlebells. I woke up an hour before everyone else to do an hour of stretching with rubber bands and light kettlebell workouts,” Bibiloni said.
While basic training was difficult enough, Bibiloni took it a step further.
“I didn’t want to have an attitude of being too old for it. When they said let’s do PT(physical training), I was up and first in line.”
Bibiloni said he was physically fit before joining; however, he emphasized the importance of making proper food choices available in the dining facility while in training.
“I stuck to the green food items—green vegetables, heavy protein, and a lot of yogurt (about three cups a day). If you eat the red items like pizza and ribs, you just get tired,” Bibiloni added.
These nutritional choices helped Bibiloni tackle the rigors of basic training head-on, and in the process he shed a few pounds.
“I went into basic training weighing 185 pounds and ended up at 173 just from being active, walking everywhere, eating salads twice a day, and drinking a lot of water,” said Bibiloni.
One of the many benefits of service lies in continued education, something Bibiloni is eager to pursue.
“Currently, I’m going to school at AMU (American Military Unitiversity) paid for by the military, studying supply chain management,” said Bibiloni.
Bibiloni said he wants to advance in his civilian role while also serving his country. When joining, his choice of logistics as an 88M was simple:
“It complements my civilian career because I can use transportation experience toward my supply management track,” Bibiloni said.
With his career path on a new course at an age he least expected, Bibiloni is living proof that you’re never too old to start a new adventure.