Overview
- The Army published an enlistment rule update Friday that lifts the age cap to 42 across the Regular Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve, with the policy taking effect April 20.
- Applicants with a single conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia no longer need a waiver, replacing a process that once required a two‑year wait and Pentagon approval.
- The regulation also formalizes a January shift that moved many waiver decisions to Army Recruiting Command and two‑ and three‑star recruiting commanders to reduce bottlenecks.
- Army leaders cast the move as a long‑term recruiting reform, not a response to the Iran war coverage some outlets emphasized, and say they want more “mature” candidates with technical skills.
- Older applicants with prior service must still meet retirement timelines, such as being able to earn a 20‑year Regular Army pension by age 62, reflecting rules that remain in place alongside medical, fitness and conduct standards.