The US Army has increased its maximum enlistment age to 42, part of Washington’s broader reforms to modernize recruiting.
To take effect in April, the change raises the previous age cap from 35 and applies to the Regular Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve.
The minimum enlistment age remains 17, subject to parental consent.
According to sources, the move brings the military closer to other services’ age limits and follows efforts to widen the recruiting pool after missing enlistment targets between 2022 and 2024.
Currently, the US Air Force accepts cadets up to 42, the Navy up to 41, while the Marine Corps caps enlistment at 28, with waivers available in some cases.
Additional Revisions
Alongside the new staffing strategy, the updated policy allows applicants with one conviction for marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia to enlist without a waiver, while more serious offenses still require approval.
The regulation also shifts oversight of accession planning and execution to the US Army Recruiting Command, updates medical and processing standards, and expands documentation options for verifying social security numbers.
Meanwhile, the revision grants new authority for senior commanders to approve misconduct waivers and requires enhanced career counseling tools, including military occupational specialty videos for applicants.
Additional measures mandate training completion timelines for Selected Reservists and align policies with the US Department of Defense guidance on avoiding harmful language around mental health.
