What’s behind the US army’s decision to raise enlistment age to 42?
Summary
The US Army will raise the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42 to address recruitment challenges. The change, effective April 20, 2024, also removes the need for a waiver for people with one marijuana-related conviction and applies to the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard.Key Facts
- The maximum age to join the US Army increases from 35 years old to 42.
- The new rules remove the waiver requirement for those with a single marijuana possession or drug paraphernalia conviction.
- Changes apply to the Regular Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard but not other military branches.
- Other branches like the Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force allow enlistment into the early 40s; the Marines’ age limit remains 28.
- The Army missed recruitment goals by about 23% in 2023 and 25% in 2022.
- Recruitment shortfalls for the Army Reserve have continued for six years straight.
- Average recruit age has increased to 22.7 years, up from 21.1-21.7 in previous decades.
- Recruitment challenges are linked to labor market changes, limited knowledge about the military, and health and social issues among youth.
- The timing coincides with attention on US military involvement related to Iran, but the Army has discussed raising the age for years before.
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