The U.S. Army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 and has removed some obstacles for those with criminal records for marijuana possession or related items.
According to the new military regulation, which comes into effect on April 20, 2026, individuals up to 42 years old can enlist in the army, National Guard, and Reserve, thereby extending the previous limit set at 35 years.
Additionally, the army has eliminated restrictions affecting applicants with a single conviction for marijuana possession or associated items such as bongs, water pipes, or spoons used for consumption.
Previously, this type of conviction required special authorization from the Pentagon, and the candidate had to wait 24 months before being able to enlist, in addition to passing a drug test, as reported by The Guardian.
The increase in the age limit aligns the army's recruitment policy with that of other branches of the US armed forces, such as the navy and the air force, and also aims to address recruitment challenges experienced in recent years.
In this context, the US Army is seeking to attract more individuals to its ranks, including young people from Generation Z. However, the average age of new recruits has been rising, and some analysts recommend extending the maximum enlistment age, as older recruits tend to be of "higher quality, more focused and motivated, and ready to join basic training more quickly."
These changes in recruitment policy come as the United States continues its war against Iran. In recent days, the Pentagon has deployed around 2,000 paratroopers and approximately 4,500 marines to the region.