In 2012, U.S. Rep. Paul Broun Jr. (R-GA), tried to push through legislation allowing people of any age to join the military as long as they could meet the minimum health and fitness requirements. The House voted 256-164 against the military age restrictions measure.
Those still serving in the military are not exempt from their VA Loan benefits. Learn more: How to Get a VA Home Loan While Still Serving
Military Age Restrictions by Branch
At age 66, Broun still serves as a doctor in the Navy Reserve. In an interview with Army Times, he called the enlistment age cap “an arbitrary policy.”
Since Broun’s attempt in 2012, the military policy on age restrictions has changed. The Air Force, for example, raised its maximum age.
Age Requirements for Active Duty Enlistees
- Army: 17-35 years old
- Marine Corps: 17-28 years old
- Navy: 17-41 years old
- Air Force: 17-39 years old
- Coast Guard: 17-41 years old
- Space Force: 17-39 years old
Note: Applicants of 17 years of age require parental consent
Age Limits for National Guard and Reserves
| Factor | National Guard | Reserves |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 17-39 years old | 17-39 years old |
| Army | 17-35 years old | 17-35 years old |
| Coast Guard | n/a | 17-40 years old |
| Marine Corps | n/a | 17-28 years old |
| Navy | n/a | 17-41 years old |
Note: Applicants of 17 years of age require parental consent
In general, the Defense Department restricts enlistment to those 35 and younger. Prior enlisted service members can subtract their previous years of service from their age in order to extend eligibility.
For example, the Air Force has a maximum age of 39 for reenlistment. If a Veteran is currently 41 years old and has already served for four years, they can subtract those four years of service from their age, making their adjusted age 37 for eligibility purposes. This means the Veteran can still reenlist because their adjusted age is under the cutoff.
Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) of the Armed Services Committee personnel panel has said the “risks outnumbered gains” when it came to enlisting older personnel. She said they are not only more likely to become injured but also take more time to recover than their younger counterparts.
Can I join the military at 45 years old?
Unfortunately, the age limit for joining the military currently ranges from 17 to 41 years old. The age limit differs based on branch and type of enlistment. See the section above to break down military age limits by active duty, then take a look at National Guard and Reserves age limits.
Other Age Considerations for the Military
On one side, I can see the merits of having older, more experienced soldiers in the ranks, especially if they are just as physically capable (if not more so) than the younger generation. And when it comes to military career fields like medicine, it doesn’t make sense to exclude someone because of their age.
On the other hand, it is difficult for me to imagine how a 43-year-old enlistee would get along with peers younger than half his age. The military also has incredible physical demands, especially when it comes to jobs like infantry.
As the need for troops wanes or grows, it may make sense for the military to continue enforcing the age restrictions and giving the younger generation a chance to serve.
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