Military Enlistment Age Limits: Everything To Know
Updated March 9, 2023
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Why does the military have enlistment age limits?
Minimum and maximum military enlistment age limits for potential enlistees ensure they have had the opportunity to meet their minimal education requirements and are in good physical condition. The goal is to recruit educated, able-bodied enlistees, minimize the risk of injury and reduce their recovery time if injured.Federal law establishes the maximum military recruitment age to be 42, although each service branch ultimately decides what the minimum and maximum age limits for service in that branch are. Federal law also states that the minimum recruitment age is 17 years old, with parental consent.Federal law provides provisions that for almost all male U.S. citizens ages 18-25 living in the United States, there is a requirement to register with the Selective Service System. This system is in place so the U.S. can perform a crisis draft if necessary.Even though almost all male U.S. citizens register with the Selective Service System as a requirement, this doesn't mean they're part of the military. If they're drafted through a random lottery and via age restrictions, then they undergo physical, mental and moral aptitude tests before being inducted, exempted or deferred for service.Related: 25 Most Common Reasons for Joining the MilitaryMilitary enlistment age limits by branch
The minimum age to enlist in all but one U.S. military branch is 17 years old with the written consent of a parent or 18 when a person can provide legal consent for themselves. If you're interested in joining the U.S. Navy Reserves, it has a minimum age requirement of 18 years old. Here are the enlistment age limits for active duty personnel, guard, and reservists and by military branch:| Branch | Active duty enlistment | Reserve enlistment | Guard enlistment |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army | 17-35 | 17-35 | 17-35 |
| Air Force | 17-39 | 17-38 | 17-39 |
| Coast Guard | 17-42 | 17-42 | 17-42 |
| Marine Corps | 17-28 | 17-28 | 17-28 |
| Navy | 17-41 | 18-41 | 17-41 |
| Space Force | 17-39 |
Additional military requirements
To enlist in the United States military, each branch lists its required enlistment age limits and minimum requirements for education, health, fitness and criminal background screening. Below are the additional requirements the military uses to determine eligibility for service:Educational requirements by branch
Each branch considers age limits along with minimum education requirements. You need at least a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate regardless of age or parental consent. Potential candidates for military officer programs also have minimum age limits to meet.The following table lists the minimum education requirements, including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) required by each military branch of the United States armed forces. Note that some branches, such as the Air Force, derive an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score from ASVAB responses and that secondary scores are for GED holders:| Branch | Minimum score for high school graduate | Minimum score for GED | Minimum ASVAB score |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Army | 31 | 50 | 31 |
| Air Force | 36 | 65 | 31 or 50 |
| Coast Guard | 40 | 50 | 40 or 50 |
| Marine Corps | 32 | 50 | 31 or 50 |
| Navy | 35 | 50 | 31 or 50 |
Health and fitness
Enlistees have a military entrance medical exam that includes a physical exam, a vision and hearing test and assessments of height and weight to pass. Note that each service branch has its own health and fitness standards.To determine your eligibility, it's important to contact a military recruiter. These service members can tell you the requirements to meet ahead of time, so you can prepare for initial testing. They can also help you create a regimen so you can start preparing for life in that specific service branch.Criminal screening
To join any military branch, applicants go through a criminal and credit screening. This is to determine the overall morality of each applicant and ensure that the military gets exemplary people to enlist. The exact details of each branch's screening are specific to that branch, so checking with a military recruiter for your chosen branch can help you understand the limitations of criminal conduct within the armed forces. Each branch also checks for credit misconduct including fraud, misuse of credit and other related issues to determine your eligibility. If you pass both of these screenings, then you're most of the way to enlisting in your chosen branch.Do you need help with your resume?
Waivers and deferment
Sometimes, you may not meet all the requirements of your chosen branch when you initially enlist. In specific instances among each branch of the U.S. military, you can receive a waiver to join the branch.If you're concerned about not meeting a requirement, speak with a recruiter so they can determine your eligibility for service and provide a waiver if necessary. Even if the recruiter can't provide a waiver, they can direct you to someone within the branch who can give you the waiver if you meet the other requirements for recruitment.You may also receive a federal of service from your chosen branch. This means that you may not meet the current requirements for service but are able to achieve them after a period of time.Deferrals often mean you join your chosen branch after you have enough time to meet your requirements. For example, you may not pass the physical fitness section of your screenings when you initially enlist but a recruiter or military officer can defer your enlistment for a certain period of time so you can increase your physical capability and enlist in that branch in the future.
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