SAN ANTONIO, Tx — The U.S. Army is joining the Air Force and Space Force soon allowing people up to the age of 42 to enlist. The new cap is set to begin on April 20 as the U.S. prepares to send more troops to the Middle East.
Ruben Villafranca is a Vietnam War Veteran who enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 19.
“At that time we had to enlist or the draft would get you,” Villafranca said.
While Villafranca believes raising the age range for soldiers is a good thing, he has reservations.
“You have to be physically able to do some things and at 42 you’re getting a little older,” Villafranca said. “So, I do have some concerns about that.”
Steven Guerra who also served in the Air Force in Vietnam believes the age limit should have stayed the same.
“The younger you are, the better you are for the military,” Guerra said.
The army is also relaxing its rules for recruits who have a single marijuana or drug paraphernalia conviction.
“The minor convictions are ok,” Villafranca said. “You can’t have a whole lot of marijuana. But I don’t have a problem with that.”
Army reports show they’re on track to meet this year’s recruiting aims. An army spokesman says the policy change is meant to better align the service with defense department standards.
The minimum age to join the army is still 18. Those who are 17 still need parental permission to enlist.
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The army will now join the Air Force and the Navy which allow recruits over 40. The Marine Corps till caps enlistment at 28.