U.S. Media: U.S. Army Raises Enlistment Age Limit to 42 Years Old

According to a report by Reference News on March 28, the latest military regulations reviewed by ABC News on March 26 show that the U.S. Army is expanding its recruitment range, raising the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42 years old.

This move is not without precedent. In 2006, at the peak of the Iraq War, the Army raised the maximum enlistment age to 42, only to lower it back to 35 ten years later.

The recent increase in the age limit aligns the U.S. Army's regulations with those of the Air Force and Navy, both of which have a maximum enlistment age of 41.

The maximum enlistment age for the Marine Corps is 28, although older applicants may still enlist with special permission.

Two sources familiar with the decision told the network that this adjustment has been in preparation for several months and is unrelated to the current conflict with Iran. Instead, it reflects a long-term effort by the Army to expand recruitment channels in the face of a persistent personnel shortfall.

Data from the U.S. military shows that the average age of new recruits has slightly increased, rising from 21 in 2010 to nearly 23 by 2025.

The Pentagon stated that the biggest obstacle to recruitment is the shrinking pool of qualified candidates. Among young Americans (ages 17 to 24), only about 23% are eligible for service. This is largely due to the military's need to assess factors such as scores on entrance exams similar to academic ability assessments, obesity issues, and criminal records. (Translated by Lin Chaohui)