Requirements For Joining The Military
The U.S. military has six branches of service: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The requirements to join are similar for all six. The main differences are in age limits, test scores, and fitness levels. Men and women meet different fitness standards. Besides the requirements listed here, a branch may have other requirements.
Age Limits for Enlisting
You must be at least 17 to enlist in any branch of the active military. The oldest you can be to enlist for active duty in each branch is:
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Coast Guard: 31
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Space Force: 39
Some branches have different age limits for their part-time Reserve and National Guard. Visit each service’s recruiting website for its part-time age limits.
Requirements for Enlisting If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to enlist in the military, but you may have fewer options. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must:
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Have a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card
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Currently live in the U.S.
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Speak, read, and write English fluently
Educational and Testing Requirements for Enlisting
You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The ASVAB has 10 subtests.
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Your scores on four of those make up your Armed Forces Qualification Test score. This score determines which branch you may join. Each branch has its own lowest score for joining.
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Your scores on all 10 sub-tests determine which job specialties you qualify for.
Health and Fitness Requirements for Enlisting
What Kind Of Benefits Will I Earn
For your commitment to the National Guard or military reserves, youll receive many benefits including:
Joining the National Guard or military reserves can be a great way to serve your country without leaving your full-time job. Once you decide to join, you can learn more about your new community. See Military OneSources New to the Military resources. Military OneSource can answer your questions about military life. Call 800-342-9647 or connect via Live Chat 24/7/365. OCONUS/International? View calling options.
How Old Is Too Old To Join The Military
Written by Everett Bledsoe / Fact checked by Brain Bartell
Most people know you must be at least 17 years old to enlist in the military, but they are now aware that there is also a maximum age cap for applicants. Yes, you read that right.
You can be too old for the military. So, how old is too old to join the military?
The short answer is 42 to 59 years old, depending on whether or not you have been in service. The maximum age to join the military varies by branch as well. If you are looking for the age limit to decide whether you can enlist, continue to read for the details. Go on happy reading!
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How Old Can I Be To Join The Army
The U.S. Military has an upper age limit of 42 for recruits. There are no upper age limits for officers. The only requirement for joining the military is that you be able to pass the physical and mental exams. However, the physical and mental exams are only required for people who are enlisting at age 17 or above. People can enlist at age 15 with parental consent, but they are not required to pass the physical or mental exams at that age..
More People Are Joining The Air Force In Their Late 30s

Yoko Holdren wants to work.
She tried to find jobs for more than a decade but seemingly hit a roadblock at every turn. First it was the frequent moves with her husband, Master Sgt. Donovan Holdren, and the cost of child care for their three kids.
Then it was German employment and citizenship rules at Ramstein Air Base, where the family is stationed. Her green card neared expiration. And, just as she looked to get a job when her youngest son started school, the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Holdren turned to the Air Force and enlisted two weeks before her 40th birthday.
I thought, If I join the Air Force, they can train me from zero, she told Air Force Times. Whatever job is available, I will take it.
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Threats to the free world must be met with mature individuals who know what is to be lost, say the authors of this commentary.
Now an airman first class in security forces technical school, Holdren is one of hundreds of people who have joined the Air Force in their late 30s since the service raised its age limit for new recruits nearly a decade ago. The career change has offered new challenges and second chances while offering the service another way to grow and diversify the force.
In 2014, the service increased the age cutoff from 27 to 39 for those without prior military service to enlist on active duty. The Air Force Reserve changed its age limit from 34 to 39 as well.
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Can A Felon Join The Military
A felon cant join the military as an active duty service member, but if theyre sentenced to probation or supervised release for at least one year without any new crimes committed , then there are some exceptions.
For example, enlisted personnel and officer candidates who have been fully discharged from their respective armed forces may be granted approval by waiver when circumstances warrant such action in accordance with paragraph 14-303 of Department of Defense Instruction 1404.06: Standards For Applying Military Laws To Reserves And National Guard Of The United States.
Getting Fit With Fitt
As a rule of thumb, ease into your activities, gradually increase each element of FITT, and end each session with a cool-down. For example:
- Begin with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up. Walking, biking or a slow jog will increase blood flow to the muscles and lightly increase your heart rate. Follow up with some light stretching of the muscles you will be using in your workout.
- Improving your overall fitness is most effectively done through a combination of 20 to 60 minutes of aerobic and strength exercises. The two sample fitness sessions below are based on Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology guidelines.
- A 5- to 10-minute cool-down helps return your body to its normal, pre-exercise condition. Suddenly stopping an intense workout can make you dizzy, nauseated or even faint. Walking, biking or a slow jog will gradually bring down your heart rate and relieve muscle soreness.
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Is Joining The Army At 16 A Good Idea
Many young people join the army at the age of 16, but I would recommend it for only those who are desperate to do something with their lives. After joining the army, you will get basic training. This is very important because it will prepare you for the rest of your life. This training will help you gain discipline, respect for others, and discipline. Also, it will help you gain better decision making skills. After this basic training, you will be required to attend additional training that will prepare you for what you plan to do after joining the army. You can also get other job training..
How Old Do I Need To Be To Join The Army Reserve
As a Reservist soldier:
- Be at least 17 years and 9 months when you apply.
- You can join most roles until you are 43 – check rolefinder for more information about the role you are interested in joining
- There are higher age limits for some specialist roles
As a Reservist officer
- Be at least 17 years and 9 months when you apply. Apply by the time you’re 48 years and 9 months.
- There are higher age limits for some specialist roles
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What Is The Maximum Age To Enlist In The Military
- US Naval Academy
Stew Smith, CSCS, is a Veteran Navy SEAL Officer, freelance writer, and author with expertise in the U.S. military, military fitness, and its traditions.
One of the most frequently asked questions recruiters get asked is what are the maximum age limits to enlist in the military service. There is an age limit that disqualifies certain ages from joining the military. However, the age limit is higher that you may think. If you are over this age limit, you are not qualified for service. But, if you keep pushing and proving to the recruiters that your experience and physical fitness levels are acceptable, you could be eligible for an age waiver. The most frequently asked question is the following:
Join The Military At 2: Is It Too Old For Men
The military is a great way to start your career. Its an intense, challenging experience that can teach you valuable skills like discipline and responsibility. But what if youre 25 or older? Some people might think its too old to join the military but others would disagree! Read this blog post for more information about joining at 25, and see why some people say its not too late.
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Raising The Age Of Military Enlistment
The following is the introduction for the book Only the Young Shall Die by Peter Polack and Jack McCain.
As counter-intuitive as it would appear, the average age of young men dying in combat has decreased substantially from the mid-twenties of earlier wars to the late teens. One estimate puts the average age of Union soldiers during the American Civil War at just under twenty-six years old. A report on enlisted men from North-West England in the Great War puts the average age of dead soldiers at twenty-seven years old but more nineteen year olds died than any other age group. By World War II the average age of the US fighting man was still twenty-six years.
In the Vietnam War the average age of soldiers killed in action had declined to 23 years and twenty percent of those killed were less than twenty years old. Whilst it is tempting to be distracted by the use of the term average which ultimately benefits future recruiters, the simple fact is that sixty-one percent of those killed were under the allowable age for drinking in the USA, twenty-one years old.
A snapshot of this evolving paradigm came on 10 July 2009 when five UK servicemen with an average age of twenty years were killed in the very dangerous Helmand province of Afghanistan. Three of the dead soldiers were only eighteen.
Perhaps the best conclusion was given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt who pronounced this verdict from a familiar seat to some returning veterans, his wheelchair:
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Where Does Basic Training Take Place

For all full-time regular force candidates, basic training takes place at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
All part-time candidates joining their local Primary Reserve unit will undergo similar basic training objectives. Reserve units will conduct their Basic Training either at the local reserve unit location or at a Canadian Armed Forces training centre. Locations vary depending on units. Talk to a Primary Reserve unit recruiter for more information on their Basic Training program.
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Can A 37 Year Old Join The Military
The military is a great way for 37 year old people and even people of your age and stage to learn and grow. Our military is an amazing and wonderful institution and we appreciate those who fight for our freedom and safety! If youre after a career that provides flexibility, is rewarding and offerings flexible schedules and great healthcare, then its worth considering enlisting as a 37 year old..
Am I Eligible To Join The National Guard Or Military Reserves
You must meet these minimum requirements to join the National Guard or military reserves:
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
- Be between the ages of 17 and 42 .
- Pass an armed forces physical exam.
- Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
- Meet the minimum ASVAB eligibility standard. You must receive a sufficient score on the ASVAB composite called the Armed Forces Qualification Test.
Each branch or specific job may have other requirements in addition to those listed above.
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Age Requirements Are Supplemented By Education Requirements
In most cases, the minimum age a new recruit may enter military service is 17. However, a high school diploma or GED is usually required. Some branches of service may, depending on recruiting issues at any given time, offer alternatives such as allowing a new recruit who has a GED with college credits. Having a GED may subject the enlistee to additional standards not applied to those who have high school diplomas.
If the applicant does not meet the stricter standards for GED holders without college coursework, it may be possible to enroll in college to earn additional credit hours.
All branches of service restrict how many new recruits may enter military service each year without a high school diploma. According to some reports, this is due to statistics which tend to indicate a higher number of unsuccessful basic trainees come from backgrounds that do not include a diploma.
Those who want to enter the military as quickly as possible should know that they may technically qualify to serve, but their status as without a high school diploma may push their application to the following year if the quota for non-diploma holders has already been met.
What Age Can You Join The Army Australia
You can join Army at the age of 17. If youve completed your Year 12 studies then youve got an extra year to join Army. The Army also offers two programs for high school students, the Army Transition Program and the Army Apprentice Program . Both programs are offered to students who are 15 or 16 years of age. The Army Transition Program lasts for 12 weeks and is aimed at students who are looking for an alternative to the Year 11 and Year 12 curriculum. Its hands-on and you get to see Army life at first-hand. You will get to work on Army projects, visit Army facilities and hear from Army personnel. You will get to experience what its like to be an Army recruit. The Army Apprentice Program also lasts for 12 weeks. Its aimed at students who are 16 years of age. You will get the opportunity to experience the trade of your choice. You will get to work on Army projects, visit Army facilities and hear from Army personnel. You will get to experience what its like to be an Army recruit..
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Programs For Indigenous Peoples
Aboriginal Leadership Opportunities Year
A one-year educational program offered to Indigenous peoples through the Royal Military College of Canada
Summer training programs
Summer Indigenous programs provide an opportunity to discover Military culture and training.
Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Entry Program
A special three-week program for Indigenous peoples who are considering a career in the CAF.
Whats My Obligation If I Join The National Guard Or Military Reserves
Joining the military reserves or National Guard is a significant time commitment. This is true, especially at the beginning. You will get settled in your permanent unit. Then, you can expect to attend unit assembly, known as drill, one weekend per month. You will also participate in a two-week annual training each year.
- Initial training: As a new military member, you will attend your branchs basic military training. That may last from eight to 12 weeks. Depending on your job, you may also attend an advanced training course.
- Monthly drill: Youll need to drill for 48 periods or units per year. Most units drill one weekend per month. A typical weekend drill has four periods. Some military units have additional drilling requirements, which may include the weekday.
- Annual training: Youll also need to participate in annual training for two weeks per year.
- Activations: You may be activated to full-time service in a voluntary or involuntary status. This can be with your unit or individually. These activations may vary in length and location. They may include 30 days in a unit near your hometown. Or up to a year supporting a mission outside of the United States. Generally, you cannot opt out of involuntary action. This is because the military has ordered you to active service.
- Length of commitment: Your total contract may range from three to eight years. This depends on the branch of service and your specific occupation/job.
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Submit Your Application 5interview
The next step is an interview with a military career counsellor it is your official job interview and a very important step. The application process is very competitive and you will be asked questions about your work history, knowledge of the Canadian Forces, and understanding of the job you selected.
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces
Is 27 Too Old For Army

27 is not very old for the US Army, but it would most likely require an age waiver . There is no minimum or maximum age limit for most military branches, but almost all require you to be under 32 years of age. So there is a chance you will be asked to fill out an age waiver. If you are granted an age waiver, you will be given the opportunity to join the military. Some branches of the military do have a maximum age limit. If you are interested, Id advise you to first check out the rules for your desired branch of the military..
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