Can I join the military at 42 years old?
Asked by: Stacy Pollich | Last update: April 20, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (34 votes)
Each branch of the military has age limits to enlist in active duty: Air Force: 17 - 42. Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 41.
What military can I join at 42?
The 42-Year-Old Airman: Air Force and Space Force Raise Max Age for Active-Duty Recruits. Under a new policy change, active-duty Air Force and Space Force applicants can join up to the age of 42 -- meaning the services are now willing to take the oldest recruits out of all the Department of Defense military branches.
Is 42 too old to join the Navy?
REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A SAILOR
To join the Navy, you must: Be a U.S. citizen; or Legal Permanent Resident (Enlisted) Be between the ages of 17 and 41 for Enlisted programs.
Can I join the Coast Guard at 42?
Enlisted Coast Guard Requirements
You must: Be between 17-42 years old. (The Coast Guard age limit was raised to 42 in the fall of 2022.) Hold U.S. citizenship or be a legal permanent resident.
Can a 40 year old join the Marines?
To enlist as a Marine, you must obtain your high school diploma and be a legal U.S. resident between 17 and 28. To commission as a Marine Officer, you must be a United States citizen between 20 and 28 and have obtained both a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.
TFR 83 - Recruiter Problem: Age Waivers
Is 43 too old to join the military?
Age limits
Air Force: 17 - 42. Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 41. Marine Corps: 17 - 28.
Which military branch pays the most?
There is no branch that pays more. Base pay at a given grade and time of service is the same across the services. However, total pay and compensation can differ a lot due to allowances and special pays. But those are based on location and duties, not branch-of-service.
Can I join the Navy Reserves at 42?
What is the Navy Reserve Age Limit? The age limit for Navy Reserve servicemembers is 42 years, though exceptions can be made for Sailors who have previously served. The minimum age requirement is 17 with parental consent and 18 without.
What is the hardest military branch to get into?
Marine Corps - The Marine Corps is often considered the toughest branch of the military both physically and mentally. It has the most rigorous basic training, known as boot camp, which lasts 13 weeks. Marines are trained not only physically but also mentally, to have a "first to fight" mindset.
What is the $65000 bonus for the Coast Guard?
ET Critical Skills Training Bonus $65,000 4 years Active-duty service commitment from date of Class A-School graduation, advancement to pay grade E-4, or receipt of designator, whichever is later.
Can I join the military reserves at 45 years old?
Am I eligible to join the National Guard or military reserves? You must meet these minimum requirements to join the National Guard or military reserves: Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien. Be between the ages of 17 and 42 (general requirement range; age varies by branch).
What will disqualify you from the military?
- Vision Disqualification. ...
- Dental Disqualification. ...
- Ears and Hearing Disqualification. ...
- Allergic Conditions Disqualification. ...
- Skin Disqualification. ...
- Psychiatric Disorders.
How many pushups does the Navy require?
Push-ups: You must complete at least 50 push-ups in two minutes. Sit-ups: You must complete at least 50 sit-ups in two minutes. Pull-ups: You must complete at least six pull-ups without touching the ground or letting go of the bar. 1.5-mile run: The maximum time allowed is 12 minutes.
Can I join the National Guard at 40?
To join the National Guard without prior service, you must meet these mandatory requirements: Be between the ages of 17 and 35. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
What disqualifies you from joining the Air Force?
Criminal Record
The Air Force is strict about criminal records. Even an excessive number of traffic-related law violations within a 365-day period could disqualify your eligibility, but you should discuss any concerns with your recruiter.
What is the lowest paid military branch?
E-1: $20,340. E-1 is the lowest enlisted rank in the US military: Airman Basic (Air Force), Private (Army/Marine Corps), Seaman Recruit (Navy). Service members usually hold this rank through basic training, and automatically promote to the next rank after six months of service.
What is the most feared branch of the military?
That said, people often consider the Marine Corps to be one of the most dangerous branches, primarily because it's typically at the front lines during combat operations. Marines often engage closely in ground combat, which can present heightened risks. Similarly, the Army can also be considered dangerous.
How long is Navy boot camp?
Recruit training, or "boot camp," is approximately 10 weeks long. The goal of this training is to transform you from a civilian into a Sailor with all of the skills necessary to perform in the fleet.
Can a 42 year old enlist in the military?
ENLISTED. You must be 17–42 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a high school diploma, GED with 15 college credits or GED.
How much does Navy pay a month?
The average US Navy monthly salary ranges from approximately $1,989 per month for Entry Level Warehouse Worker to $7,497 per month for Lieutenant. Salary information comes from 17,788 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Will I lose my job if I join the reserves?
Federal law protects reservists against being fired or denied certain employment benefits because their military activities interfere with their jobs.
What is the easiest military branch to get into?
Air Force: The Air Force often tops the list of "easiest" military branches due to its emphasis on technology and intelligence. Basic Military Training (BMT) lasts seven and a half weeks, which includes physical training but also involves subjects like military customs, life-saving skills, and weapon use.
Which military branch does not go to war?
The Coast Guard tends to primarily focus on domestic matters such as protecting our shores and executing search-and-rescue missions. While they can and do serve in combat and get stationed overseas, it generally is less frequently than the other branches.