SFC A.M. Drake 163738 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Air Force Raises Enlistee Age Limit From 27 to 39<br /><br />Jun 25, 2014<br />Stars and Stripes, by Chris Carroll<br /><br />WASHINGTON — Thanks to a new Air Force policy announced Tuesday, enlisted recruits can now experience the joys of basic training in their late 30s.<br />The Air Force raised the maximum age for enlisted accession from 27 to 39, meaning it may now be the best choice for those who feel the call to military service later in life.<br />The maximum age for Army enlisted recruits is 35, while the Navy and Marines cap recruit ages at 34 and 28, respectively.<br />Under federal law, the oldest recruit any military branch can enlist is 42, although each service sets its own policy within that limit.<br />Annette Crawford, a spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, said officials would be watching to see whether the aches and pains of approaching middle age are too much for older recruits.<br />"With the change, if we see a higher initial training attrition or increased physical injuries ... the Air Force recruiting commander can set a more restrictive age if necessary," she said.<br />The increased maximum age is for all Air Force enlisted occupations rather than being targeted at increasing accessions in certain areas, she said.<br />The new policy comes at a time of a declining defense budget, a shrinking military and falling recruiting goals, however. From 2009 to 2013, the number of recruits dropped from nearly 32,000 to just over 26,000. While recruiting goals for 2014 are still being finalized, they’re likely to fall again.<br />Nevertheless, potential recruits were happy when the announcement was posted late Tuesday to Facebook.<br />"I was feeling completely out of luck because when I first looked into joining the AF, I was already 28 and the age limit was 27," wrote a poster identified as Hugo Ricardo Roca. "Now all I need is to get back in shape and just join in." 2014-06-25T21:14:14-04:00 SFC A.M. Drake 163738

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Air Force Raises Enlistee Age Limit From 27 to 39<br /><br />Jun 25, 2014<br />Stars and Stripes, by Chris Carroll<br /><br />WASHINGTON — Thanks to a new Air Force policy announced Tuesday, enlisted recruits can now experience the joys of basic training in their late 30s.<br />The Air Force raised the maximum age for enlisted accession from 27 to 39, meaning it may now be the best choice for those who feel the call to military service later in life.<br />The maximum age for Army enlisted recruits is 35, while the Navy and Marines cap recruit ages at 34 and 28, respectively.<br />Under federal law, the oldest recruit any military branch can enlist is 42, although each service sets its own policy within that limit.<br />Annette Crawford, a spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, said officials would be watching to see whether the aches and pains of approaching middle age are too much for older recruits.<br />"With the change, if we see a higher initial training attrition or increased physical injuries ... the Air Force recruiting commander can set a more restrictive age if necessary," she said.<br />The increased maximum age is for all Air Force enlisted occupations rather than being targeted at increasing accessions in certain areas, she said.<br />The new policy comes at a time of a declining defense budget, a shrinking military and falling recruiting goals, however. From 2009 to 2013, the number of recruits dropped from nearly 32,000 to just over 26,000. While recruiting goals for 2014 are still being finalized, they’re likely to fall again.<br />Nevertheless, potential recruits were happy when the announcement was posted late Tuesday to Facebook.<br />"I was feeling completely out of luck because when I first looked into joining the AF, I was already 28 and the age limit was 27," wrote a poster identified as Hugo Ricardo Roca. "Now all I need is to get back in shape and just join in."

2014-06-25T21:14:14-04:00 2014-06-25T21:14:14-04:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 163899

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Why not? I know some people who came back in or joined later in life and were great at their jobs. They had to try harder to get into shape than some of their peers in their classes in order to pass the physical fitness requirements. All of them still meet them while I have seen many who just joined and "graduated" who cannot pass a physical fitness test at the unit. I think it allows for people who may be more mature and have more life experience to be able to serve.

2014-06-25T23:04:22-04:00 2014-06-25T23:04:22-04:00 MSgt Private RallyPoint Member 164655

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I don't really see a need for it. Here we are trying reduce our force numbers and now we are going to open a larger pool to draw from. Yes I'm sure there are lots of well qualified people to draw from in that pool but take it to 39 I think is excessive. I think the recruiter job is going to get even harder now unless the economy and unemployment rate change. I also think having the size age gap this will create could caus issues as well when you have a 21-22yo SrA/SSgt ordering a 40yo Amn around. Gonna be interesting to see how it going. I came in at 26 and it was tough for me and now you adding another 10-12 years to the gap.

2014-06-26T19:58:49-04:00 2014-06-26T19:58:49-04:00 TSgt David Logan 250035

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you can make it through basic at 39 God Bless you.

2014-09-21T19:24:49-04:00 2014-09-21T19:24:49-04:00 Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member 250070

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I would say why not? I was in better in better shape in my 30's on active duty than I was when I entered out of the training environment. Now as a reservist I have let myself slip a little which I am not proud of, but I think if I were to get back into the swing of things I would be back to where I was. At 35 I was maxing our PT tests at 18 year old standards. <br /><br />I suppose they will be really scrutinizing their medical history. But if someone is gym rat and has no medical issues and can meet standards I say why not? Me personally I would have a tough time going through basic, being that I would be treated like an 18 year old since the training environment would be geared to whipping in shape some kid who is away from mommy and daddy for the first time.<br /><br />In the end the AF may get some quality personnel out of this. I do see some issues like a 38 year old being treated the same as a first term Airman as an 18 year old. I suppose its one of those things that the person should be mentally prepared for.

2014-09-21T20:10:30-04:00 2014-09-21T20:10:30-04:00 MSgt Kevin Willoughby 366980

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think it is a good idea. I met many immature individuals along my twentyfive year career that did not mature enough to be in, let alone stay. On the other hand, the military shaped and matured thousands more. <br />We all know it will be harder for those older more mature individuals to get into shape, or make it through the fitness tests, but we all need the gumption at some point to better ourselves.<br />Life lessons/experience will most likely help them to be mature enough to handle the emotional stress of basic, and the idea of a younger individual training, teaching and leading them.<br />Pray for both the Service and the individual to make it a better place to serve. Our Core Values are valuable at any age.

2014-12-12T04:35:22-05:00 2014-12-12T04:35:22-05:00 MSgt John Darchangelo 2160770

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you can meet all the standards then you get the job. I went to Kuwait as a Force Protection Office when I was 59 years old.

2016-12-15T04:26:45-05:00 2016-12-15T04:26:45-05:00 Capt Private RallyPoint Member 2161308

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Well, if they raise it to 75 I might consider enlisting.

2016-12-15T09:32:44-05:00 2016-12-15T09:32:44-05:00 2014-06-25T21:14:14-04:00