Hello, I want to give some background to my situation first. Currently I am in college and will be graduating with my bachelors in economics in May of 2024. Last year I studied abroad in Japan for 6 months and it was amazing. I self-study Japanese and am currently at around N4 level but working towards N2, though I know it doesn’t matter too much for this program. Additionally, after college I will be enlisting in the military and plan to do a 4 year contract. By the time I get out I will be around 27, which I know might be on the older side for ALT’s. At first, I was considering not enlisting and just applying for the JET program but my heart currently is more invested in gaining that experience rather than the JET program since for me personally I want to be younger while in the military. Currently I work with elementary school students after school and do lesson plans for them and just general teaching.
Anyways, with that being said, are there any experiences like this or anyone who has somewhat of a similar background? I just want to see if being in the military might stunt my chances of being an ALT after I get out. Thanks!
Edit: just wanted to also say that working in Japan has really been a goal and dream of mine for a very long time, and being an exchange student there really solidified that. The decision between the military and the JET program was a tough one, but my desire to live and work there long-term only grows the more I have learned about Japanese culture as well as living there. There’s of course the possibility of finding a job after the military that isn’t the JET program, but for me personally I just see myself doing something like that first and then exploring options once I have more experience there. I really enjoy working with the kids that I teach, so that’s a big reason.