I had emailed a rep at MITAGs, too, and they did bring this up. Of course, they also told me a number of their graduates are working as ABs, so there’s that, too. If I put myself in a company’s shoes, I would have doubts of hiring an “elderly” gentleman like myself (good gods that sounds strange to say, growing old is very odd 
); however, if they are hurting for licensed folk, then I’d hire me to at least have someone else, albeit for a shorter period of time. I wonder how many grads they get fresh out of a Maritime Academy who doesn’t stay very long?
No worries, I try not to take anything personally, and it is a correct consideration. I have other questions in other places about what work is really like on a ship for unlicensed deck positions. Answered ran the range from “it’s mostly sedentary” to “it breaks younger men!” to a woman chiming in saying she has no issues she just has to work smarter and not try to use brute strength for everything. So, pretty much no consensus.
Only reason I’m looking at MS degree is less of a chance of common core courses, and can concentrate on things of interest to me right away. Corps of Cadets makes me nervous, and I can’t imagine how that leadership would handle me in their ranks. Try to break me 'cause I don’t belong? Unfairly go easy on me? Or just treat me like everyone else?
The main reason I am looking into the Maritime Academies is to try to keep my salary at least somewhat close to what I’m making now. I’m definitely not looking to make more money than I am now, but I’d like it to be not laughingly less. My wife’s stuck with me for over 27 years, and I need to make sure her quality of life doesn’t suffer while I’m gone. It will be nice when I am home, I am really home, and not thinking about the next stressful workday, or what’s going to happen on Monday, etc. I can be fully in the moment with her every day without worry.
Thanks for your feedback and thoughts, I really appreciate it!