What does joining the Army before your 35th birthday mean?

Ope Oguntoyinbo — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 15:11:47 -0500

Hello Everyone,

So, if a recruiter says you have to join the Army before your 35th birthday... What does that mean in literal terms? Passing the ASWAB test only? Or looking at available and jobs you are qualified for and ensuring you submit relevant paperwork? Or both? What if the jobs you are interested in aren't available at the time? Is it not a bad idea to wait since time is running out age wise?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2021 3:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 15:21:05 -0500

It means if as ACTIVE DUTY CONTRACT you have not shipped out to Basic Training before your 35th Birthday you will never ever be able to join the Army PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the Reserves, if you have not SIGNED the contract (shipping date doesn't count) before your 35th Birthday you will never ever be able to join the USAR PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, the maximum age "could" be raised to as high as 42, but if that never happens then you are out of luck again.

When I inquired about becoming an officer the age limit for USAR was 42.

In that time of screwing around deciding what I wanted to do, and medical records validation, the age for officer was lowered to 30,

I was 38 at the time, but the ENLISTMENT age was still 42. My recruiter called me, and said NEXT MONTH the enlistment age will be dropped to 35, so I literally had 1 week to decide an enlisted MOS and sign the USAR contract before the end of the month while I was still 38 and under 42 until the start of the following month.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Jan 18 at 2021 4:05 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 16:05:21 -0500

You need to pass score well on the ASVAB, make height and weight regulations and pass a physical at MEPS to get in the door. Picking a job is usually the easy part.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2021 6:47 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:47:10 -0500

I am currently on recruiting duty and can answer this. The exact answer for your question is that you must start basic training by your 35th birthday. If you attempt to join at 34 and your 35th will take place before basic, you would require an age waiver. You CAN very much join the Army at 35! I see it all the time.

Response by Cpl Johnny Willis made Jan 19 at 2021 6:51 AM

Cpl Johnny Willis — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 06:51:19 -0500

Ope, if you are not prior service - those age limits are etched in stone. There isn't any wiggle room on that, unless you have a highly desirable degree for example if you are a Doctor or something.

You should check out the Air Force as well, as currently as it sits they have the highest age limit which is 39 - but don't take that for being slow on your horse. The Air Force is very picky on who they let in, so if you fail to meet their standards, and you are past the normal age limit, like 35, then you are out of luck on other branches as an alternative.

I would say if you are running out of time like you mentioned to hurry up and go ahead and join. The Army is great and has a ton of options, but those options are not available to you because you are running out of time. Even if you don't get the job you really want at first, later on down the road you can switch. Just take the ASVAB, and pick the best job that is available to you based off your overall score and the needs of the Army.

Go to your local recruiter as soon as possible, talk to them, you might just be in time to make it in but I wouldn't waste any time!

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 19 at 2021 8:22 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 20:22:32 -0500

We like tons of other groups have age limits to make sure you are not too old/busted up to meet the MOS requirements, and the fact if you spent 20+ yrs in the service- what shape would you be in then. 55, unless you are in an office job, would really hurt.