“The U.S. Army raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 for all recruits as of March 2026.”

The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 34, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. It's possible to receive an age waiver, especially if you have prior military service.

Each branch of the military has age limits to enlist in active duty: Army: 17 - 35. Air Force: 17 - 42. Coast Guard: 17 - 41. Marine Corps: 17 - 28. Navy: 17 - 41. Space Force: 17 - 42.

Individuals up to 42 with or without prior military service can enlist in the Regular Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve, according to the updated Army Regulation 601-210 published March 20. The Army in recent years had capped the enlistment age at 35, although it did accept some older recruits with waivers.

The U.S. Army is expanding its recruiting pool, raising the maximum enlistment age from 35 years old to 42, according to new service regulations reviewed by ABC News. The service lifted the cap to 42 years old in 2006, during the height of the Iraq War, before lowering it back to 35 a decade later.

The US army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 years old and scrapped a barrier for potential recruits who have a legal conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession. People aged up to 42 can now enlist in the army, the army national guard and the army reserves, according to the new US army regulation, lifting the previous ceiling of 35 years old.

The U.S. Army is raising its maximum recruitment age from 35 to 42, while also relaxing rules for recruits with certain drug convictions. The U.S. Army has raised its maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42, the military branch said.

A major update to Army recruiting regulations this week raises the maximum age a recruit can join to 42, and removes a barrier to joining for recruits with a single legal conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession. The Army's previous limit was 35, though exceptions are occasionally made. The higher age limit brings the Army in line with other services' limits of 41 in the Navy and 42 in the Air Force and Space Force.

In a sweeping change to its enlistment regulations, the Army has raised the maximum age for eligible recruits to 42, the service announced. Changes highlighted in the memo, which was distributed this week and will go into effect in April, also include the removal of previous enlistment obstacles for recruits who have a single marijuana or drug paraphernalia conviction.

The U.S. Army is increasing its maximum enlistment age for men and women to 42. That's a seven-year difference from the previous allowable enlistment age of 35, although waivers were sometimes granted for older enlistees. The 'up-to-and-including-age-42' enlistment policy update was announced by the Department of the Army and applies to both applicants with prior military service and those with no prior service.

Effective April 20, 2026, any American up to age 42—with or without prior military service—can enlist in the Regular Army, National Guard, or Army Reserve. The Army's decision announced this week to move the cap to 42 marks a return to a policy last seen in 2006 during the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In a sweeping change to its enlistment regulations, the Army has raised the maximum age for eligible recruits to 42, the service announced. Changes highlighted in the memo, which was distributed this week and will go into effect in April, also include the removal of previous enlistment obstacles for recruits who have a single marijuana or drug paraphernalia conviction.

The U.S. Army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 and has removed some obstacles for those with criminal records for marijuana possession or related items. According to the new military regulation, which comes into effect on April 20, 2026, individuals up to 42 years old can enlist in the army, National Guard, and Reserve, thereby extending the previous limit set at 35 years.

As of March 20, the Army increased the maximum enlistment age to 42, according to the Regular Army and Reserve Components Enlistment Program. Previously, the cutoff age for enlistment in the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve was 35.

The U.S. Army has officially increased its maximum enlistment age to 42, effective April 20, 2026, a significant policy shift aimed at broadening its recruitment pool amidst persistent challenges. This move, codified in Army Regulation 601-210, brings the Army in line with other branches like the Air Force and Space Force, which also cap enlistment at 42.

Changes to military enlistment age limits are often implemented in response to recruitment challenges, aiming to broaden the pool of eligible candidates and attract individuals with diverse life and professional experiences, particularly when traditional recruitment targets are not met.

The U.S. Army sets an age requirement of 17 to 35 for individuals seeking to serve in Active Duty, Reserve, or the Guard. Federal law sets a uniform maximum age limit for military enlistment at 42 across all branches. While this provides a baseline, individual branches retain the authority to define their own age limits, both minimum and maximum.

Recent policy changes across multiple service branches have raised maximum enlistment ages, allowing more older adults to join the armed forces. The Navy has raised its maximum enlistment age to 41, while the Air Force and Space Force now allow recruits up to age 42. The Army and Navy have stated these changes are not a lowering of standards but an effort to expand the eligible pool.