age limit to enter the military
To serve as an Enlisted Sailor, you must be no older than 34 but at least 17 years old. If you are not yet 18, you must have parental consent. To serve as an Officer, you must be no older than 35 but at least 19 years old depending on the program desired. (Waivers may be granted for positions in high demand.) Answer: The maximum age of non-prior service enlistment under Federal Law was 35-years-old. In 2006, the Army asked Congress to raise the age limit to 44-years-old. Congress did not approve this change, but raised the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42. Unless you're entering as an Officer through certain college options programs (namely the Naval Academy or NROTC), if you have never served in the military you will need to attend an Officer training course – Officer Candidate School (OCS) or Officer Development School (ODS) – depending upon your background. Not All Branches Are the Same. When it comes to basic requirements, not all branches of the military are the same. The Air Force typically closes the door to recruits at age 27. The Marines close it at 29, and both the Army and Navy limit the maximum age to 34. Dear Aspiring Ranger, You've probably just graduated from high school and you've undoubtedly already signed an Option 40 contract guaranteeing you a shot at the Ranger indoctrination program (R.I.P.). If you make it through R.I.P. you'll surely be sent off to fight in the Global War on Terror. Across the United States Armed Forces, the maximum age for enlistment for someone who has never served in the military before depends on the branch. For the Army, the maximum age is 35. For the Navy, age waivers start at 34-years-old. For the Air Force, the maximum age allowed to join is 39-years-old. The Marines have the lowest maximum age for regular military service at 28-years-old. Eligibility rules can be a little confusing. There are different rules for enlisting and for officer programs. Enlisting: Enlisted members do the hands-on work of the military. They need at least a high school degree (a GED may or may not suffice). Officer: Officers are the managers of the military. Most officer programs require a college degree at minimum, and are very competitive. The House said no. Every branch of the military has age limits, from the Coast Guard to the National Guard, and most of them come to a halt before age 35. However, there are ways to enter the military when you're 35 or older. Reflecting on my own years in the 75th Ranger regiment, at a moment when the war you'll find yourself immersed in was just beginning, I've tried to jot down a few of the things they don't tell you at the recruiting office or in the pro-military Hollywood movies that may have influenced your decision to join. These are the enlistment ages for Military service by country, according to the online CIA publication The World Factbook.
The age limit to enter the military is before age 35.