What is the oldest you would be permitted to join the military?

Matthew Palladino — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:08:06 -0500

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 12 at 2019 4:09 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 16:09:49 -0500

Despite the infographic, there was recently a 55 year old prior service Sailor who recently enlisted in the Army Reserve.

Response by SGT Eric Davis made Nov 12 at 2019 7:03 PM

SGT Eric Davis — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:03:42 -0500

It all depends if prior service it depends on how much service you had before you got out and how old are you but the National guard I know people that was out 13 years or so and got back in at 55.

If you never been in before the army is I think 35 and Air Force 39 but if you have a degree is a special skill there are exceptions like lawyers and doctors!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 12 at 2019 7:54 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 19:54:15 -0500

There's the nice infographic, but that doesn't mean it's optimal. The brutal reality is the stuff you burn through quickly should be young. Higher skills you keep around a bit longer. Brains that can actually lead, a bit longer yet. Although there are exceptions, once you hit 40, you're on the physical downslope. Look at any sports. Soccer, due to the extreme physical fitness and speed aspect, you're old at 32. So about the best the MIL side can do is have a rather large net and then push out over time people they don't want. That's called continuation, medical, promotion, retention, command, or whatever board you want to call it. The system is built to get enough broad spectrum demographic and variably capable people in and then optimize by keeping what works and tossing what doesn't. Another aspect is investment. Do you spend your money on the living or the dead? If I'm going to spend $300K to train someone up in a certain skill, I want to keep that person around to recover my investment. Although there are many specialties that essentially a slug can do a career in, the Marines would take exception by noting every Marine is a rifleman and is expected to be one if needed. Third aspect is overhead. It costs more to maintain a 40 something over a 20 something. Medical is an obvious aspect. Bottom line, the age thing will vary over time by service and specialty to ensure the body count is met.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2019 9:01 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:01:39 -0500

Depends on what your specialty is and how bad you’re needed. I went to DCC recently and there was surgeon in the course who was brand new to the army and came in as a LTC with no experience. He was in his 60’s and had been in his specialty for decades. They needed him and he was waivered in.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2019 9:27 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 Nov 2019 21:27:58 -0500

Basically, as old as you can be while being able to serve 20 years.
Of course, each service establishes their own business rules, guidelines, and exceptions based on need

Response by Matthew Palladino made Nov 13 at 2019 10:33 AM

Matthew Palladino — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 10:33:38 -0500

Thank you all for your responses. I'm currently 39, turning 40 in April. I worked for a DOD contractor as my last employer, and did spend time overseas. However, the company folded shortly after I got back, and left me wanting to do more. I do fear that I am a little passed the ideal age, but all things considered, I am in excellent health. I guess the best thing to do would, in fact, be to just go speak to a recruiter and see what they have to say. I would assume that they would know what they need, what they don't, and who would be a welcome addition to the service.

Thank you again.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 13 at 2019 11:18 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 11:18:33 -0500

Maximum enlistment age varies from time-to-time based on the needs of the given service.

I myself enlisted (Infantry, by my choice) at age 36. I don't recommend it, because even though I was in great physical shape, mentally tough enough (and mature enough not to get butthurt and take being yelled at personally), when I looked around at peers in my age group, when it came to the physical aspects of the job, I was probably the exception to the rule. I'm not saying I was Mr. Hooah Super Army PT Stud Guy compared to my fellow recruits who were all teens and early 20-somethings, but I'd bet that few, if any, of my classmates from high school could have done as well at such an age. However, at that time, the Army needed bodies, so older folk like me could enlist; such is not always the case, and if/when the military can be choosy regarding the quality of its recruits, it probably should be in most cases.

Save for those in seasoned leadership positing, combat arms is a youngsters game by and large. But then again, there's so much more to the military than being one of the Joes ground-pounding with a rifle in hand. Some here cited examples of this. On rare occasions, a recruit of advanced age--who can still pass a minimum PT standard(!!!)--can contribute to the service branch's overall mission; sometimes in ways younger recruits cannot; case-by-case/specialty-by specialty.

Response by SPC Allen Heredia made Nov 13 at 2019 1:35 PM

SPC Allen Heredia — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 13:35:40 -0500

I re-joined at the age of 46

Response by 1SG Thomas Jasak made Nov 13 at 2019 4:12 PM

1SG Thomas Jasak — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:12:21 -0500

As others have stated the age limits change for each service quite a bit. For example when I enlisted in 1996 I was 27 and was told by Marines, Navy and Air Force that I had to enlist by my 28th birthday and the Army limit was 32, but again changes often so best bet is to call recruiting offices and ask. Good luck

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Nov 13 at 2019 4:48 PM

LTC Ken Connolly — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 16:48:32 -0500

Depends. During the start of the invasion of Kuwait, the Army had a surgeon with a special skill and who was in late 60's return the military. Need trumps all.

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Nov 13 at 2019 5:40 PM

SSG Darrell Peters — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 17:40:11 -0500

With the United States Army without prior service, the max-age is 35 it was 42 until 2011. The USMC 28, USAF 39, U.S. Navy 34, Coast Guard 27 but can be raised to 32 under certain circumstances. I found this as it relates to Active Duty, the National Guard, and the Army Reserve may differ. I know if you are Medical Doctor or have a Professional Degree in Engineering, Accounting a Ph.D. Age limits are waiverable.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2019 10:19 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 22:19:58 -0500

anyone older than 18 is sucking buttermilk.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 12:44 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 00:44:37 -0500

42 yo exactly w/o waiver + non prior service. Prior service is deduced from current age to give enlistment “age”, i.e. PS served 8 yrs Army got out then came back 6 yrs later and is 42 yo, 42-8=38.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2019 9:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 09:43:42 -0500

There was a 40 y/o in my daughter's platoon in basic

Response by SGM Frank Marsh made Nov 14 at 2019 2:06 PM

SGM Frank Marsh — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:06:02 -0500

and let's talk about retention. why are enlisted forced out at age 60 and officers are not. I met admiral rickover in his 80's, still on active duty

Response by PO2 Kathryn Thorn made Nov 14 at 2019 2:28 PM

PO2 Kathryn Thorn — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 14:28:40 -0500

i was 26 when i went in back in 81. i think back then the oldest you could be was 33. don't know what it is now. but if a person is fit, maybe has a specific job that the military needs maybe there are exceptions.