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Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(135,578 posts)
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 01:28 PM Wednesday

US army raises upper age for recruits to 42 and scraps marijuana restrictions

Source: The Guardian

The US army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 years old and scrapped a barrier for potential recruits who have a legal conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

People aged up to 42 can now enlist in the army, the army national guard and the army reserves, according to the new US army regulation, lifting the previous ceiling of 35 years old.

The army has also removed restrictions upon recruits who have a single conviction for possession of marijuana or associated items such as bongs, pipes and spoons. Previously, such a conviction would require a special wavier from officials in the Pentagon, with the recruit having to wait 24 months to enlist and passing a drug test.

The change in age limit brings the army more into line with other branches of the US military, such as the navy and air force, and may help deal with the recruitment struggles the army has faced in recent years.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/us-army-raises-max-enlistment-133812174.html



Will they give a waiver for bone spurs too?
27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
US army raises upper age for recruits to 42 and scraps marijuana restrictions (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Wednesday OP
Lowering the quality of the military Mysterian Wednesday #1
Ukraine's military is filled with 40 and 50 year olds. maxsolomon Wednesday #6
Yes, 42 year old privates are a great idea! Mysterian Wednesday #9
Opening the doors for Meal Team Six applicants. NoMoreRepugs Wednesday #2
Bring back the draft. That will end this war mongering. yardwork Wednesday #3
Great idea Mysterian Wednesday #11
Why doesn't Dotard empty the prisons for his next meat grinder... AZ8theist Wednesday #4
Realistically , how many people over 35 could meet the physical requirements to enlist LogDog75 Wednesday #5
Ageism. littlemissmartypants Wednesday #12
No...truth radicalleft Thursday #23
Oh, that's right... littlemissmartypants Thursday #24
Incompetent Maninacan Wednesday #17
Gee, who could have predicted this. twodogsbarking Wednesday #7
Volkssturm units never did very well in combat. Torchlight Wednesday #8
Actually, Miguelito Loveless Wednesday #10
To a certain point I would agree with you LogDog75 Thursday #22
Should read age 42.0, amiright... (Nt) GJGCA Wednesday #13
The policy goes into effect on 4/20....They're just asking for it shotten99 Wednesday #16
This part is damn funny............. Bengus81 Wednesday #14
I was in the Army during Bush Jr AZProgressive Wednesday #20
You know what the difference is? angrychair Wednesday #15
Why not children ages 8 - 14 ? They have training for what to do when under attack. twodogsbarking Wednesday #18
How long before they'll offer felons a pardon Buddyzbuddy Wednesday #19
Eric Trump is 42. Go Eric! Be the first in your ENTIRE family! Grins Wednesday #21
Are they anticipating a surge in need? A draft? QueerDuck Thursday #25
Three Trump kids can enlist pfitz59 Thursday #26
Far out, man. LudwigPastorius Thursday #27

maxsolomon

(38,694 posts)
6. Ukraine's military is filled with 40 and 50 year olds.
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:02 PM
Wednesday

Maybe it's the new model? How fit do you need to be to drive a drone?

Mysterian

(6,470 posts)
9. Yes, 42 year old privates are a great idea!
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:29 PM
Wednesday

I'm sure every one of them will be drone operators.

Mysterian

(6,470 posts)
11. Great idea
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:37 PM
Wednesday

Provide an alternative civilian service for those who do not want to be military.

AZ8theist

(7,347 posts)
4. Why doesn't Dotard empty the prisons for his next meat grinder...
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 01:53 PM
Wednesday

....just like his hero, Vladdy??

LogDog75

(1,297 posts)
5. Realistically , how many people over 35 could meet the physical requirements to enlist
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 01:53 PM
Wednesday

What you're going to get is a bunch of out of shape people trying to enlist but will be unable to pass not only the entrance physical but the PT as well. It'll be hard for a 42-year old to go through basic training with others who are in the late teens and early 20s. Also hard will be if they do make it through basic training is for them to be taking orders or reporting to someone who is 20 years younger.

I wonder what active duty soldiers think of this idea. Would they want to go into combat with someone in their40s who would have trouble keeping up with them.

littlemissmartypants

(33,429 posts)
24. Oh, that's right...
Thu Mar 26, 2026, 09:57 AM
Thursday

I'm a decrepit, useless old woman who despite my age (and gender) doesn't deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Silly old me.

Maninacan

(291 posts)
17. Incompetent
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 04:01 PM
Wednesday

I might just be somewhat Incompetent. Sneak me over the front line and let me drive truck for the enemy.

Torchlight

(6,792 posts)
8. Volkssturm units never did very well in combat.
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 02:28 PM
Wednesday

If we can't put lipstick on a pig, let's blame the lipstick.

LogDog75

(1,297 posts)
22. To a certain point I would agree with you
Thu Mar 26, 2026, 12:14 AM
Thursday

I would make exceptions for certain people whose professional education requires more than four or five years of college. For example, doctors require about eight year of education as well as a residency program. I know the AF has special an age limit, I believe it's 36, for doctors, lawyers, and Chaplains. For enlisted personnel in the Army, you need a younger population to make up the bulk of the force and older troops with knowledge and experience leading them.

Bengus81

(10,157 posts)
14. This part is damn funny.............
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 03:42 PM
Wednesday

"The army has also removed restrictions upon recruits who have a single conviction for possession of marijuana or associated items such as bongs, pipes and spoons.Previously, such a conviction would require a special wavier from officials in the Pentagon, with the recruit having to wait 24 months to enlist and passing a drug test."

LOL...a conviction for weed is what got people INTO the Army in the Nam days.

ROFLMAO!!!!

AZProgressive

(29,927 posts)
20. I was in the Army during Bush Jr
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 08:12 PM
Wednesday

A lot of people liked to use THC though most waited until they were on leave to avoid random drug tests.

angrychair

(12,262 posts)
15. You know what the difference is?
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 03:50 PM
Wednesday

What does that Army have to do that the Navy and Air Force do not?

The Navy and AF don't have to bug out through a mountain pass with a 40lbs pack on their back.

I'm not saying that a pot smoking 41 yr old man can't do it but I can't imagine many 22 yrs olds that would want to be on that journey of discovery with them to find out if they can or not.

Buddyzbuddy

(2,587 posts)
19. How long before they'll offer felons a pardon
Wed Mar 25, 2026, 07:23 PM
Wednesday

for 1 year of active service just like
mother Russia?

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