Army Reserves Raise Age Limit
Tuesday March 22, 2005
The Army Reserve and the Army National Guard have raised the age limit for recruits from 34 to 39, according to the American Forces Press Service.
The move will add 22.6 million people to those who could potentially enlist in the reserve components. No other reserve component is contemplating such a move, officials said, and raising the age limit on active duty soldiers would require a change in law. The new program will run for three years.
The move will add 22.6 million people to those who could potentially enlist in the reserve components. No other reserve component is contemplating such a move, officials said, and raising the age limit on active duty soldiers would require a change in law. The new program will run for three years.
I am 44 years old,5′10″ , 165 lean mean pounds. I run 5 miles a day,6 days a week. 600 pullups,600 situps,600 pushups and I am in better physical condition than most 18 year olds. I have served in the marines and as police officer. Why in the world won’t they let me fight in Iraq? Instead of an age limit, they should implement a physical ability limit
I think that what they should really focus on is the other end of the spectrum… When I was in boot camp druing the summer about 2 years ago… almost the entire company was made up of 17 year olds who where going to boot camp that summer and then back to highschool in the fall! I think that that was crazy! Arent you supposed to be a highschool graduate to be qualified to join??
I think that a 39 year old could really succeed in boot camp and the military for their first time, while 17 year old highschool kids, I know, have lots of trouble getting in shape, and becoming disciplined.
i amd 17 years old and im going to bootcamp this summer in the army. i dont see a big deal with it. some want to join for certain reasons. whoever said that it was wrong for a 17yr old to join isnt really smart. >:{ besides their parents have to approve everything!
It’s just real simple . The older you get the smarter you are about all aspects of life. I am 61 and much much smarter than when I was at 25 and in the USNG force as cook and a baker and a M 60 machine gunner. I am a black belt of 30 + years and can fight like a tiger but its not the age of a person its the mental capacity and the mind that controls the body. I know Kung Fu masters at 75 that can walk through 10 + 30 year men in tip top condition like nothing simply because of the force of mental chi . So age should not be a consideration only physical and mental conditioning . I can out cook and out think any 25 year old kid . As far as fighting , they use bullets for force don’t they? If they let you be the President of the entire Armed forces at 70 years old then you should be able to serve in the Military at that age. Wouldn’t it make more sense to let the the kids do the hard work and fighting and let the older guys give guidance and do the cooking chores which lets more young guys available and freed up for the heavier physical tasks.
I’m a 35 year old paramedic / firefighter with a degree but I’m to old to enlist? Tell me how that makes any sence? I can carry 200+ lb people out of a burning building but I can’t handle boot? Oh well, just one more qualified candidate that won’t be applying…
hello im 42 tried to join last year but had a fine for no insurance and was told could not join until paid and they said if I was on probation yhere was nothing I could do so I took the 2000 dollar fine hoping I could pay it in time to join but was layed off moved to florida and got another job but just got it paid off unfortunetly i just turned 42 in feb but still want to join the gaurd
I am 55. I want to serve as electronics technician in the Military. I work out and study every day. I can shoot. I can take and give instructions. Young and skillful Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated by a 78 years old general.
i don’t understand why all yall are bitchin. if you wanted to join the military you should have done it when you had the chance. it’s not like you didn’t have 20, 30 or more years to think about it. as for the 17 year olds….everything has to be approved by parents. no if ands or buts. so that means the parents are allowing it.
Well Whitney, Im female, served in the military as well as worked for 20 yrs for the us govt. At 56, I would go back in the military but age will not allow it. And, from looking at your language, if you are the best the military has to offer now, well, lets just say I feel sorry for our country.
Whitney might lack grammar however his mental chi seems way up. I think one reason for the age limit which makes good sense is the cut of the over the hill gang without the costs of time and money to do it.
Most over 40’s aren’t going to make it up the hill on the second try and an open door policy would bare too few to substantiate the effort in ground work to succeed with it. Theirs always good volunteer work in the communities which would be appreciated with good company…
it just shows how backwards the DoD is , if u look at most european nations , they dont discriminate on the basis of age, The Canadian military has a age max of 52, im waiting on a work visa to move to Ontario for delayed entry into the RCAF royal canadian air force MPC military police command
——Todd
41
Ohio Univ
yep got a late start at college, my parents were murdered by a worthless drunk driver when i was set to start school at age 19 like most others, had to wait a while to overcome all that trauma.
I personally am offended by the notion that a 17 year old inbetween 11th and 12th grade is somehow so lazy and out of shape as to be useless.
My daughter is going to do exactly that next summer, and she is currently enrolled in a Criminal Justice program, is learning military and police drill/procedures, and does PT and self defense with the boys. And she’s 5′1″and weighs about 115lb!
If a person is determined to succeed, they will. Whether they are 17 or 47.
I am 47 and have completed three Ironman contests. I could run rings round most people yet, I am not allowed to defend MY COUNTRY. Yes MY COUNTRY, why is it that an old fart says I am too old to serve MY COUNTRY.
The previous post is correct, if Ron Reagon could be President at 78, why cant I enlist at 47 to serve?
It should be on ability, and nothing else. If you are unfit and a health hazzard then do somthing else, if you are fit and strong and can help OUR COUNTRY then why can’t I?
I am 42yr and i have been trying to join usng , I took the avsab and fail it so i went to night class & work 50hrs a week.Then i took the asvab and pass it ,then they told that age went down from 42 to 35.So i called 1800-goguard and they told me it’s untill your 43 b-day at that time recruiter and the told me that it is before 42 b-day. That is just wrong to from 18 to 42yrs that you can join now i just cant becouse my 43b-day 07/30.