Is 36 too old to re-enlist?

SPC Jason Smith — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:19:31 -0400

I’m 36. I’ve been out of the Army since 2009. I have just under three years of active duty time and four years of National Guard time. I was a 68T on active duty from 2002-2005. Am I too old to re-enlist?

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Jul 17 at 2018 12:26 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:26:27 -0400

Have you talked to a recruiter? They would have the most current and accurate information. I would talk to a recruiter I can't find anything that appears accurate on age limit. I see 35 as max age and then I see some things saying 42 but I thought they had decreased that a few years ago.

Response by SPC Jason Smith made Jul 17 at 2018 12:29 PM

SPC Jason Smith — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:29:16 -0400

Cool thanks. I plan to talk to a recruiter this week.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 12:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:40:31 -0400

I think 35 is for non-prior service.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 12:51 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:51:27 -0400

You should be good to hook

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 2:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:02:00 -0400

I did 11 and a half in the corps....got out in 2011. Joined the reserves in 2014 at age 32....Just signed back on to Active duty in may of this year, turned 37 last month....your prior time counts backwards against the max age so take your current age and subtract your time and that gives you your age for enlistment purposes.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 2:15 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 14:15:08 -0400

Are you wanting to go active or Guard? I got out of the service in 2007 with 8 years active. Came back into the Guard in 2016 (I was 39). I believe the only requirement was that you have to have be able to reach 20 years of service before you turn 60. So I think you'll be ok. If you want to go active, I'm not sure what the requirements are.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 9:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 21:26:22 -0400

No it’s not to old they will subtract your prior service years. That being said you need to hurry up because you done have much time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2018 10:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 22:13:53 -0400

As an Current recruiter for the army national guard in the state of Florida the max age for non prior service enlistment is 35 the max age for prior service enlistment is 42

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Jul 19 at 2018 12:56 PM

SPC William Szkromiuk — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 12:56:02 -0400

An interesting read by a man who enlisted (first time) at 41. Enjoy.

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Response by PO3 John Keas made Jul 21 at 2018 11:12 AM

PO3 John Keas — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 11:12:22 -0400

Check with a recruiter. Worse comes to worse...there are waivers.

Response by SPC Juanita Anderson made Jul 21 at 2018 11:26 AM

SPC Juanita Anderson — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 11:26:52 -0400

Trying to remember that when enlist you have to be able to do 20 before 65. They could have changed since I was recruiting.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 21 at 2018 12:45 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Jul 2018 12:45:58 -0400

You have 3 years of Active Federal Service (and some extra from the 4 years of Guard time). Subtract that from your Actual age and you have you age for Enlistment. You have to get back in before you are “35”. You would currently be 33 1/2ish in terms of re-enlisting.

That’s the first hurdle you have. The second is the length of time you have been out. You would most likely lose a rank, and have to go back to Basic Training/AIT.

Response by SGT Darin Jenkins made Jul 22 at 2018 12:39 AM

SGT Darin Jenkins — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 00:39:11 -0400

No, 45 is the age limit for Prior Service. You will have to retake the ASVAAB and basic training and AIT. If you are able to reenter you will have to be promoted to E-5 SGT, for your next reenlistment or you will hit you retention control points and you will be forced out with separation pay provided you are not flagged for anything. Go to your local recruiters office and ask. As far as your NG Time you will have 1 day of service for every point you have from your NG time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 10:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 10:30:18 -0400

I am a recruiterand you are still good. The person that said you take your active time and subtract it from you age is correct. The cut off age is 35 so you are running out of time. My advice is find your local recruiter and he or she will be able to help you get back in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2018 1:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 13:31:37 -0400

You have your age and you have service age as long you active duty time is subtracted from your real age put you under 35 you are good. If you have been out for more then 3 yrs and you are not still NG or AR will have redo basic. ASVAB test scores should still be good as long you enlisted with them. The hardest part now says is making though the MEPS physical

Response by SFC David Xanten made Jul 23 at 2018 11:46 AM

SFC David Xanten — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 11:46:13 -0400

No, you can add to your age, the time you spend on active service. So in your case you can't have reached 38years old.

Response by SPC Jason Smith made Jul 23 at 2018 9:58 PM

SPC Jason Smith — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 21:58:34 -0400

Okay, thanks for all of the feedback, everyone. I appreciate it. As an update, I talked with a recruiter and started a packet. My only concern now is whether I get to keep my MOS or if I can reclass to something other than combat. I read the prior service business rules and according to the rules, soldiers with an MOS are allowed to come back in with that PMOS and rank; unless there isn’t an opening, then, the Army provides retraining in several areas. The document also said that E1-E4 are eligible for any MOS except for a few... So, what do you think my chances are of returning to AD as a 68T? Will I have any luck if I try to reclass to 46R or 25B?

I have received a great deal of business training since leaving the Army and I understand the importance of self-awareness and being “in the right seat on the bus.” I would like to think that the Army is smart enough... it has developed a great system of doing things... wouldn’t they want to put me in a role that matches my strengths instead of one where I would be more of a liability? Just curious...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 30 at 2018 8:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 08:41:09 -0400

No I took a huge break in service and came back in at 39. That is the max year according to the recruiter I talked to. The army takes four years off your age do to having been in the army before so you are good at 36

Response by PV2 M B made Jul 30 at 2018 12:41 PM

PV2 M B — Mon, 30 Jul 2018 12:41:31 -0400

No you are no to old to get back in.
Time for a PCS leaving Fort Living Room and heading to Fort ?

Response by SFC David Xanten made Nov 16 at 2018 7:20 PM

SFC David Xanten — Fri, 16 Nov 2018 19:20:47 -0500

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 8 at 2021 5:56 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 05:56:44 -0400

No you aren't too old. Get in touch with a recruiter.