The US Army has increased the maximum enlistment age from 35 to 42, and removed restrictions for recruits with a single conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession. The changes apply to the Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserves.
Previously, such a conviction required a special waiver from the Pentagon, a 24-month waiting period, and a passed drug test. The new policy eliminates these barriers, aiming to attract more recruits after the Army missed its 2022 recruitment target by 25%.
The age increase aligns the Army with other US military branches like the Navy and Air Force. Analysts at the Rand Corp noted in 2023 that older recruits are often of higher quality, more focused, and more motivated.
Angela Chipman, chief of military personnel accessions at the US Army, said the service is looking for a more mature audience with technical expertise. The changes come as the US continues military operations in the Middle East, with thousands of troops deployed and a request for $200bn in additional funding.
