Army extends maximum recruitment age to 42, allowing older recruits to join

TL;DR

US is preparing to send about 1,000 troops from an Army airborne unit to the Middle East, AP source says ByThe Associated Press March 24, 2026, 6:11 PM WASHINGTON -- US is preparing to send about 1,000 troops from an Army airborne unit to the Middle East, AP source says. Army ups maximum enlistment age to 42, relaxes rules on recruiting drug convicts The U.S. Army is raising its maximum recruitment age from 35 to 42, while also relaxing rules for recruits with certain drug convictions.