Military Branches Limit How Many Can Enlist Without A High School Diploma
All branches of service restrict how many new recruits may enter military service each year without a high school diploma. According to some reports, this is due to statistics which tend to indicate a higher number of unsuccessful basic trainees come from backgrounds that do not include a diploma.
Those who want to enter the military as quickly as possible should know that they may technically qualify to serve, but their status as without a high school diploma may push their application to the following year if the quota for non-diploma holders has already been met.
What Was The Conscription Age In Canada
It made all male citizens between the ages of 20 and 45 subject to military service, if called, for the duration of the war. Conscription was the main issue in the federal election that followed in December, a bitter contest between Conservative / Unionist Sir Robert Borden and Liberal Sir Wilfrid Laurier.
Quick Reference Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the questions regarding the Army age limits we receive the most:
Can I join the Army at 45 years old?
Unfortunately, no. Under Federal law, the oldest a recruit can be to enter any branch of the military is 42 years old.
What are the requirements to join the US Army?
In order to join the Army, you need to be a US citizen or resident alien, have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, be at least 17 years old, and meet certain physical / medical requirements. Youll also have better chances if you have no criminal history,
Can you have tattoos in the Army?
Like the other military branches, tattoos are allowed, but must meet certain conditions. Learn more here.
Can a felon join the Army?
Depending on the type of felony conviction, it is possible to join the Army. Certain felonies, such as rape, murder, arson, extortion, and grand theft, are automatic disqualifiers.
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What Is The Maximum Age To Enlist In The Military
One of the most frequently asked questions recruiters get asked is what are the maximum age limits to enlist in the military service. There is an age limit that disqualifies certain ages from joining the military. However, the age limit is higher that you may think. If you are over this age limit, you are not qualified for service. But, if you keep pushing and proving to the recruiters that your experience and physical fitness levels are acceptable, you could be eligible for an age waiver. The most frequently asked question is the following:
What Is The Maximum Age To Be Drafted Into The Us Military

All men who are permanent residents in the US or are US citizens are required to register with the selective service when they are18 to 26 years old.
Those registered will be drafted, should the US enter a state of national emergency that prompts The White House and Congress to reinstate the draft.
If a draft were to occur, men would be liable to be conscripted into the US military from 20 years old until the age of 25.
However, the US military has been voluntary only since 1973 and President Biden says he does not have any intention of reimplementing it.
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How Long Will I Be Away From Home
Sailors rotate between sea and shore duty. You may spend three years assigned to a ships command and then rotate to serve three more years at a shore command. You will not be at sea during your entire Navy career. During your sea tour, you may live off-base nearby, but must be available to travel with the ship for deployments or training.
A typical sea deployment on a Navy ship can last anywhere from six to nine months. Ships typically deploy once every 18-24 months. In preparation for deployment, Sailors should be prepared to go to sea for 10 to 14 days each month for training.
How Long Is Ocs In The Army
OCS is a 12-week course designed to train, assess, evaluate, and develop second lieutenants for the U.S. Army. It is the only commissioning source that can be responsive to the U.S. Army’s changing personnel requirements due to its short length, compared to other commissioning programs and their requirements.
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Age Requirements Are Supplemented By Education Requirements
In most cases, the minimum age a new recruit may enter military service is 17 . However, a high school diploma or GED is usually required. Some branches of service may, depending on recruiting issues at any given time, offer alternatives such as allowing a new recruit who has a GED with college credits. Having a GED may subject the enlistee to additional standards not applied to those who have high school diplomas.
If the applicant does not meet the stricter standards for GED holders without college coursework, it may be possible to enroll in college to earn additional credit hours. This may be required by the branch of service applied for so you will need to try again under different standards.
What Offenses Or Moral Behavior
- Individuals under civil restraint including parole, confinement, or probation are not eligible for waivers
- Individuals subject to civil court conviction or adverse disposition for more than one serious offense, or serious offenses with three or more other offenses will not be eligible for a waiver
- Anyone found trafficking, selling, or distributing narcotics, including marijuana, is not eligible for a waiver
- Anyone with three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years prior to application will not be eligible
- Anyone convicted for five or more misdemeanors is not eligible
- Individuals who are unable to pass a drug or alcohol test or anyone with charges pending will not be eligible for a waiver
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What Military Job Pays The Most
What are some of the highest paid military jobs?
Requirements For Joining The Military
The U.S. military has six branches of service: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The requirements to join are similar for all six. The main differences are in age limits, test scores, and fitness levels. Men and women meet different fitness standards. Besides the requirements listed here, a branch may have other requirements.
Age Limits for Enlisting
You must be at least 17 to enlist in any branch of the active military. The oldest you can be to enlist for active duty in each branch is:
Coast Guard: 31
Air Force: 39
Space Force: 39
Some branches have different age limits for their part-time Reserve and National Guard. Visit each service’s recruiting website for its part-time age limits.
Requirements for Enlisting If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to enlist in the military, but you may have fewer options. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must:
Have a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card
Currently live in the U.S.
Speak, read, and write English fluently
Educational and Testing Requirements for Enlisting
You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The ASVAB has 10 subtests.
Your scores on four of those make up your Armed Forces Qualification Test score. This score determines which branch you may join. Each branch has its own lowest score for joining.
Your scores on all 10 subtests determine which job specialties you qualify for.
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What Does Us Space Force Do
The U.S. Space Force is the 6th independent U.S. military service branch, tasked with missions and operations in the rapidly evolving space domain. As of June 2020, its headquarters has yet to be announced. Space Force was signed into law Dec. 20, 2019 as part of the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.
How Old Is Too Old To Join The Military

Most people know you must be at least 17 years old to enlist in the military, but they are now aware that there is also a maximum age cap for applicants. Yes, you read that right.
You can be too old for the military. So, how old is too old to join the military?
The short answer is 42 to 59 years old, depending on whether or not you have been in service. The maximum age to join the military varies by branch as well. If you are looking for the age limit to decide whether you can enlist, continue to read for the details. Go on happy reading!
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Ged Holders Must Score Higher On The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Those who do not have a high school diploma will be required to score higher on the ASVAB test, regardless of the branch of service desired.
Some potential new military members may find that the recruiter will upon learning of the GED status of an applicant wish to have the recruit take the ASVAB first. Those who do not score high enough are often encouraged to take a specified amount of college credits before retaking the ASVAB.
The reason for this is that those who have GEDs and college credits are put in the same ASVAB scoring category as someone with a high school diploma. The high school graduates do not get more stringent ASVAB scoring requirements.
Those who have dropped out of high school in the hopes of joining the military as soon as legally permitted should know that the requirement to earn a GED and/or college credits will be necessary to meet the militarys basic education standards. Anyone wishing to enlist at age 17 with parental consent should seriously consider finishing their high school program first.
Can I Join The Army If I Am Older Than The Maximum Age For Enlistment
The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, and you must enter active duty prior to your 36th birthday. For Officers, you must accept your commission by age 32. However, restrictions can be lifted based on the need for certain roles. Recruits can receive an age waiver, so long as they can retire with 20 years of military service by age 55. Talk to a recruiter to get a better understanding of the demand for certain roles.
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Are There Physical Fitness Requirements To Join
Yes, there are physical fitness requirements to join the Army. The Armys Physical Fitness Test is used to assess the physical endurance of a recruit. APFT is a 3-part fitness event: 2 minutes of push-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and a timed 2-mile run. Recruits must pass the APFT to graduate boot camp.
The APFT physical fitness requirements vary by age and gender. Reference the table below to find your minimum fitness requirements.
The Army will continue to use the APFT until further notice.
AGE
MENS APFT PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS |
---|
34 | 23:00 |
If you have any questions regarding the APFT or your physical fitness requirements, talk to your recruiter.
Maximum Military Enlistment Age
The maximum age to enlist in the military varies depending on the service branch and whether you are considering active, reserve or guard duty. If you previously served in the military, you may not be subject to the same age limits as new recruits depending on age, nature of military service, recruiting demand and other factors.
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Military Enlistment Age Limits
The minimum and maximum enlistment age for joining the military differs by each branch of the military. The earliest is 17 with parental consent and the maximum is 39 but see below for the specific age limits by each branch of service.
This does not mean that the age requirements are not similar, but there is no Defense Department-wide standard. Each branch of service sets their own.
Here are things to know about military enlistment age limits and other criteria for joining the military.
What Is The Military Draft Cut
The last military draft in the United States occurred during the Vietnam War. However, men must still register for the draft even when the country is not at war. Twenty-six years is the cutoff age.
Who Has to Register
Men between the ages of 18 and 25, inclusive, must register for the draft. However, the U.S. does have provisions that allow for those up to the age of 54 years of age to be drafted if they have certain needed skills or experience. As of 2017, women are not required to register for the draft. One does not have to be a citizen in order to register. In fact, the law states that undocumented residents, refugees and those seeking asylum have 30 days from the day that they enter the country to register with Selective Service System.
How to Register
Registering is easy it can be done at any post office within the U.S. Residents can also register online or fill out the card that is sent out to males when they turn 18. The person registering does not need a Social Security card in order to fill out the forms, and Selective Service does not collect information as to whether or not the person who registers is a citizen or not.
How the Draft Works
What Happens After Registration
Consequences of Not Registering with Selective Service
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How Do Army Officers Choose Their Mos
While officers have a MOS, they are chosen into their branch first – infantry, armor, aviation, field artillery, air defense artillery, etc. While cadets are at West Point, ROTC, and OCS, they submit their three branch choices. The DA will make its selection based on the cadets’ performance and the needs of the Army.
Excellence In All We Do

Pursuing a career in the Air Force is admirable and will be incredibly rewarding, but it requires discipline even before you begin training. The Air Force maintains high standards, most of which are things within your control. If you aspire to be an Airman, ensure that you meet requirements now and make choices that will keep you eligible over time.
KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER
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How Old Did You Have To Be To Fight In Ww2 Canada
Dear Sir, Your letter of November 11 addressed to the Department of National Defence was referred to this office for reply. Records show that the youngest recruit accepted for active service with the Canadian Forces during World War II was 13 years of age. There were three of them and they enlisted in the Army.
Can I Join The Military At 38
In 2006 Congress raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 for all branches of the military. Although every branch had the option to increase the enlistment age, only the Army utilized the option. Each military service sets strict enlistment standards that vary based on enlistment type, service type and prior military service.
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Why Does The Military Impose Age Enlistment Restrictions
You might think that there should be no age limit on wanting to serve your country. However, the age enlistment limit ensures that every recruit has the time to satisfy minimal education requirements and are adequately fit.
Although we would not like to admit it, the human body tends to become less physically fit as it ages. Over a certain age threshold, it is difficult for a person to be in good physical condition to meet the necessary standard of fighting for a country.
Logically The Branches That Are The Most Physically Demanding Have Lower Enlistment Age Limits
Special Operations branches have stricter age limits for the same reason. Still, if a 38-year-old wants to give back to his country through military service, its now well within his reach to do so. In some cases, you can be well into your 40s and still serve- if you have what the military needs, that is. Age waivers are occasionally offered if you have critical skills or experience thats in short supply, but the commanding officer or community manager will have to approve it. Medical and legal professionals, plus religious officials, are the most likely to get approval.
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Not Having A High School Diploma Subjects Your Enlistment To Further Review
New recruits who have dropped out of high school, but have completed a GED may find their application for military service requires additional processing. The recruiter wants to know that the applicant is suitable for military service. Those who are eager to get into uniform as early as possible should know that not having a high school diploma could delay their entry into military service.
What Age Do Fighter Pilots Retire
In the U.S., airline pilots must retire at the age of 60 but, for fighter pilots there is no specific age at which they must retire, so long as they can keep up the required qualifications and pass the medical requirements. However, the mandatory age to retire from the Military is also 60-years-of-age. But there are age waivers available for the Generals and Admirals. This will be decided on a case by case basis.Most pilots tend to retire after around 20 years of service. So, depending on what age they started their career this could be in their mid-40s to early 50s. After all, working in the Air Force will take its toll on the body after so many years of service, so fighter pilots will be ready to retire after this period of time. Alternatively they may just change positions and work a desk job or command positions until they reach the mandatory retirement age.You will often come across mature pilots in their 50s and still flying combat. The Guard will also have older members because the role requires them to stay at one base throughout their careers, rather than move around a lot like those in Active Duty.It may also depend on rank. If a fighter pilot fails to rank they will no longer be able to be a pilot.But, typically, as they get older fighter pilots will move on to command positions but still keep up the flying to stay ranked.
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