Army experiments with raising maximum age for Reserve recruits to 39
/Battling recruiting and retention shortfalls among its part-time
soldiers, the Army is launching a new experimental policy approving the
acceptance of not-so-young recruits into the ranks of the Army National
Guard and Reserve. Dubbed a three-year “test,” the new policy will bump
up the maximum age for new enlistments from 34 years to 39 years,
according to an Army announcement. The policy applies to both men and
women joining the military for the first time. The older recruits will
be eligible for the same enlistment bonuses and other incentives as
younger volunteers, according to the announcement. Those with prior
service experience interested in reserves duty remain under existing
rules. “The program will evaluate the feasibility of a permanent change
to Army Reserve Component enlistment policy,” reads the announcement.
The test program begins immediately and will run through September 30,
2008. Set by law, the maximum age for active-duty recruits will remain
at less than 35 years old. [more]
- Exposing the Coming Draft [more]
