Can I join the National Guard at 45 years old?
Sarah Oconnor
Updated on March 01, 2026
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.
Can I join the National Guard at 43?
To join the National Guard without prior service, you must meet these mandatory requirements: Be between the ages of 17 and 35. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Be at least a junior in high school, or have a high school diploma or a GED certificate.
Can I join the National Guard at 42?
The maximum age for non-prior service enlistments for each service is: Active Duty Army – 42. Army Reserves – 42. Army National Guard – 42.
Can a 60 year old join the National Guard?
The House said no. Every branch of the military has age limits, from the Coast Guard to the National Guard, and most of them come to a halt before age 35. However, there are ways to enter the military when you’re 35 or older.
What military branch can I join at 40?
If you’re interested in more than one branch, contact a recruiter for each. If you’re interested in joining as an officer, the recruiter will explain any options you may be eligible for. If you decide to enlist, you will report to a military entrance processing station (MEPS).
Can I join the military at 62?
As of 2019, the maximum age for enlisting in the Military is 39, though the Army has set its own lower age limit. And, if you want to enter one of these Army programs, you can be older than 35: Army JAG: Applicants must be able to serve 20 years of active commissioned service before reaching the age of 62.
Can I join the Army at 58?
The oldest active duty age limit for the Army is 35; for the Navy, 34; for the Marines, 29; for the Air Force, 39; and for the Coast Guard, 27.
Is 40 too old to join the Army?
The Army has the highest cutoff age for new recruits at 42, which was increased from 35 in 2006. The cutoff for the Navy is 35, the Marines is 28 and the Air Force is 27. “There really is no issue with an older recruit,” said retired Master Sgt. The Army can always find something for everyone to do.”
What are the age requirements for Army National Guard officers?
In the United States Army, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard, the maximum age allowed to enlist and ship to basic training is 35 years old. The Army experimented for quite some time allowing anyone up to the age of 42 years old to enlist and complete basic training.
What are the requirements to join the National Guard?
Requirements to Join the National Guard. The Army National Guard has specific physical, academic, and legal qualifications that you must pass to join. To qualify for enlistment into the National Guard, you need to: You must be either currently in high school or have a high school diploma or GED .
What are the PT standards for National Guard?
As with the push-up standards, the sit-up standards in the National Guard Physical Fitness Standards test are the same for both men and women of the same age. The requirements range from a minimum number of 53 sit-ups for the youngest age group to a minimum number of 26 for the oldest group. The maximum standards range between 78 and 63.
What is the age limit for the Texas National Guard?
The minimum age to join the National Guard is 17. The maximum age is your 35th birthday unless you have prior military service and qualify. Persons under age 18 must obtain the consent of a parent or legal guardian. You must be either currently in high school, seeking a GED, or have a high school diploma.