Why can a person join the military at age 17 but not deploy until they are 18?

SSG Carlos Madden — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 10:10:25 -0400

I've been curious about this ever since I met a solider on deployment who was 18 and had been held back in Kuwait until his birthday. Meanwhile the rest of 1st CAV had been downrange for a few months until he could join them. I'm assuming it's legal reason but I was wondering what that is. Why let them join if they can't deploy?

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 23 at 2018 10:34 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 10:34:18 -0400

1. It is legal issue. 2. They can join at like 17 1/2- by the time they would normally finish training they would be 18. 3. No one want to get hit with the death of a minor in combat (18 is legal age remember)

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Aug 23 at 2018 11:03 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:03:10 -0400

Has to do with the UN and child warriors. One of the many charters we signed on to and is supposed to keep kids out of the uniformed services like you used to run into in central America in the 70's and 80's and the pictures you see in Africa circa the same time frame of the Angolan and Rhodesian rebels.

Response by SPC David S. made Aug 23 at 2018 11:08 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 11:08:59 -0400

Here's something I found - the legal reason:

Convention on the rights of the child on the involvement of children in armed conflict - child soldier protocol. The protocol states parties shall take all feasible measures to ensure that members of their armed forces who have not attained the age of 18 years do not take a direct part in hostilities.

However I think there is a part in the convention that talks about self defense.

The legal seems to be based on a moral standard that kids shouldn't be involved in the use of force.

https://www.marines.mil/News/Messages/Messages-Display/Article/894107/17-year-old-marines-in-combat/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optional_Protocol_on_the_Involvement_of_Children_in_Armed_Conflict

17 YEAR OLD MARINES IN COMBAT The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website Messages...

R 231139Z JAN 03 FM CMC WASHINGTON DC(n) TO ML MARADMIN(n) MARADMIN BT UNCLAS MARADMIN 030/03 MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC/MPO-40// SUBJ/17 YEAR OLD MARINES IN COMBAT// REF/A/DOC/-/-// REF/B/DOC/ODASD/21AUG2002// NARR/REF A IS THE OPTIONAL,

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Aug 23 at 2018 12:18 PM

SSgt Dan Montague — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 12:18:36 -0400

That kid must have gone to basic on his Bday. To get through basic and all of the other training and to end up over seas in less than a year? Wow he was on some fast track.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2018 2:49 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 14:49:24 -0400

So everyone here has said the correct answer on it being a Legal issue of a minor. So in 2001 I graduated high school in june, enlisted into the Dep program in July and shipped off to PI in August. I didn't turn 18 until 2 days before I graduated from that wonderful Island.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Aug 23 at 2018 7:41 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 19:41:49 -0400

Lawyers tend to screw everything up! But seriously, by the time you finish training you've got to be 18 if you came in at 17 1/2.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2018 10:06 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 22:06:16 -0400

Yes, and towards the end of WWII, Hitler’s army were mostly younger kids, because most of the MAMs were gone by ‘45. Like many issues after WWII, international bodies like The Hague and the UN tried to put an end to the horrors of that war.

Response by PO3 Kevin Moore made Aug 24 at 2018 4:51 PM

PO3 Kevin Moore — Fri, 24 Aug 2018 16:51:18 -0400

I never really gave that much thought, but definitely makes sense.

Response by CWO3 Gene A. made Aug 25 at 2018 5:47 PM

CWO3 Gene A. — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 17:47:46 -0400

Never heard of this. joined at 17, boot camp at 17, Radio A School at 17, Shipped overseas to Taiwan. Still 17. that was in 56. Maybe things have changed but, still never heard if this in my 30 years serving.

Response by SSG Joseph VanDyck made May 12 at 2019 2:46 PM

SSG Joseph VanDyck — Sun, 12 May 2019 14:46:00 -0400

It has to do with the UN and the US signed the "Child Soldier" resolution that bans children soldiers. Think lost boys in Africa. Additionally, to join at 17, your parents have to sign since you are a minor until 18 or emancipated.

Response by CPL T Rutledge made Nov 11 at 2019 2:28 PM

CPL T Rutledge — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 14:28:17 -0500

I was deployed at 17 and recieved my CIB at 17 also. I now have very bad PTSD and really want to end it all. Someone please help