The U.S. Army will soon allow Americans up to age 42 to enlist, raising the maximum age and loosening some other restrictions to joinamid the ongoing war with Iran.
The rule change announced this week raises the age of eligibility from the previous 35, and will go into effect on April 20. It comes as the United States is preparing to send additional troops to the Middle East nearly one month after launching attacks on Iran alongside ally Israel on Feb. 28.
The minimum age to join remains 18, or 17 with parental permission.
According to Army Regulation 601–210, which was published with the changes on March 20, the branch has also lifted the requirement for new recruits to receive a waiver if they have up to a single prior conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.
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Smoke rises following an explosion, after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
A plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital. Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Buildings inin Tehran stand after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, February 28, 2026." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Latest photos capture US and Israeli strikes against Iran
Smoke rises following an explosion,after Israel and the U.S. launched strikes on Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Army to inquire about the change.
The raise in maximum age brings the Army enlistment requirements closer to other branches of the military. Branches that already set theirmaximum age to joinat 42 include the Air Force and Space Force, while the Coast Guard and Navy set the maximum at 41. The Marine Corps' maximum age to join is 28. In some cases, older applicants can receive a waiver to join the military.
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It's not the first time the Army has raised its age cap. In 2006, Congress authorized all branches of the military to raise their maximum ages for original enlistment to 42 and the Army temporarilyraised its limit in accordance. That change came after the Army was experiencing a slump in recruiting and while U.S. troops were deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to reporting at the time by thePueblo Chieftain, part of the USA TODAY Network.
"Raising the maximum age for Army enlistment expands the recruiting pool, provides motivated individuals an opportunity to serve and strengthens the readiness of Army units," said an Army publication in2007.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Army raises age limit to enlist to 42
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