In 2010 it seems like there were a ton of vacancies and it coincided with the urge to serve as best I could, even if in a reserve capacity. At the same time I joined there was one guy who was 41 that joined as an E2 first timer which was incredible .He is still in, I think .
The guard is also always short MPs we are very heavily tasked during the fire seasons here doing evacuations, traffic control , etc. It seems like half of California is on fire at any given time and my guys are very busy.
I have mentally decided to stay in until O5 at which point I will be 53. We shall see.......