I'm currently a high school junior and thinking about the military, but I'm curious about the age limits. What's the maximum age for enlisting in the military, and does it differ between branches?
The maximum age for military enlistment varies between the different branches of the U.S. military, and it's subject to change depending on the specific requirements of each branch at any given time.
As of now, and generally speaking, the maximum age for enlistment is as follows:
- Army: 35 years old
- Navy: 41 years old
- Marines: 28 years old
- Air Force: 42 years old
- Coast Guard: 41 years old
- Space Force: The Space Force is a new branch and recruits from enlisted Air Force members, it doesn't directly enlist recruits.
If you're beyond the maximum age, some branches offer waivers for highly qualified candidates. Remember, these are just general guidelines, and you should reach out to a local recruiting office for the most current information.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.