Is 21 too late to join the military? (2023)

Is 21 too late to join the military?

[1] Within the 17–35 age range, the Services have different age ceilings. The Army and Navy accept applicants up to age 35; the Air Force accepts recruits prior to their 28^th birthday, and the Marine Corps age limit is 29.

Is joining the military at 21 too late?

The maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted Soldier is 35, while Officers must accept their commission before age 31. However, the Army can lift some restrictions based on the need for certain roles to be filled. It's possible to receive an age waiver if you retire with 20 years of military service by age 55.

Is 21 too late to join Marines?

Eligibility Requirements

To enlist as a Marine, you must obtain your high school diploma and be a legal U.S. resident between 17 and 28. To commission as a Marine Officer, you must be a United States citizen between 20 and 28 and have obtained both a high school diploma and a bachelor's degree.

Is it too late to join the military at 22?

ENLISTED. You must be 17–39 years of age, a U.S. citizen and have a high school diploma, GED with 15 college credits or GED.

Is 24 too late for Army?

Though the maximum age to join the Army as an enlisted soldier is 35 and officers must accept their commission by 31, “it's possible to receive an age waiver if you [can] retire with 20 years of military service by age 55,” according to the Army.

What disqualifies you from military?

Medical conditions, criminal history, age, physical fitness, and drug abuse can all disqualify you from joining the Army. Other disqualifying factors include failing to meet minimum educational requirements, having a dishonorable discharge from the military, or having a record of mental illness.

What percent of the military is under 21?

Approximately, 87 percent of new recruits are 18- to 24-year-olds, compared to about 29 percent of the comparable civilian population. The Marine Corps enlists the greatest percentage of 17- and 18-year-old recruits (48 percent) and the smallest percentage of those over age 21 (11 percent).

How old is the average soldier?

The average age of an employed soldier is 23 years old. The most common ethnicity of soldiers is White (54.0%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.0%), Black or African American (14.8%) and Asian (6.9%). In 2021, women earned 95% of what men earned.

How often do Marines get to go home?

Some units will get a 72 or 96-hour off-duty time to spend with their family. After the initial 72-96 hours off, most units will remain on duty at the base for about 2 weeks. Those two weeks will include working hours as well as briefs for transitioning out of a combat zone back into the US.

What is the hardest branch in the military?

There's a great argument that the Marine Corps has the hardest military training of anyone, and here's why. Of course, when you reach the top, you can find them becoming SEALs or a part of the Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), but the training of any Marine is some of the hardest military training in the world.

At what age will the Army not accept you?

Each branch of the military has age limits to enlist in active duty: Air Force: 17 - 39. Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 31.

What military branch pays the most?

The most basic and straightforward answer is that they all pay the same rate. Your basic military pay is determined by designation (enlisted, warrant officer, officer) and rank, not by which branch you serve.

How long is basic training?

You're ready to start becoming a Soldier. In 10 weeks, you'll be physically and mentally stronger than you've ever been, and ready to join the team that protects America. Most recruits are curious about Basic Combat Training (BCT).

Can you just show up to a military recruiter?

Can You Just Walk Into an Army Recruiting Office? There's no question that making an appointment is the best route to go about things, but if you're looking to contact someone about joining the Army, feel free to stop by.

How much does Army pay a year?

The average U.S. Army salary ranges from approximately $30,403 per year for Corporal to $92,168 per year for Commander. The average U.S. Army monthly salary ranges from approximately $1,760 per month for Radio and Communications Security Repairer to $5,418 per month for First Sergeant.

How long is Army basic training?

Your Ten-Week Introduction To The Army

Core Values: Learn Army values of Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Physical Training: Begin physical and tactical military training.

Can you join military as jail time?

First, military service is not offered as an option in place of charging you against the law, nor can it be offered as another option for your sentence or punishment. There are misconceptions that some judges may suggest military service rather than jail time, but the military branches don't accept this policy.

How tall is too tall for the military?

The ideal height requirement for men in the military is between 60-80 inches / 152-203 cm. Anyone above or below this requirement is likely to get rejected. The height limits are standard, and anyone within this height range can get accepted as long as their weight corresponds to the correct weight limit.

Why flat feet is not allowed in military?

Flat feet within military service go way back throughout history, did you know that back during the first 2 world wars, having flat feet could disqualify recruits from being able to enlist in the army! Having a flatfoot was seen in general as something linked to poor health as well as a sign of a low class individual.

Does being in the military age you faster?

Much like dogs, it is said that servicemen and women age at seven times the rate of civilians while on active duty.

How long does the average person stay in the military?

How long is an average term of service? While total length of service commitment varies based on Service branch need and occupational specialty, a first term is generally four years of active duty followed by four years in a Reserve unit or Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).

What is the average age of a Navy SEAL?

We know that it was an all-male rescue team, because all SEALs are men. The average Navy SEAL is about 30 years old, with a bachelors and possibly a masters degree.

Who is the youngest soldier ever?

Momčilo Gavrić (Serbian Cyrillic: Момчило Гаврић; 1 May 1906 – 28 April 1993) was the youngest Serbian soldier; he became a soldier at the age of eight. Momčilo Gavrić in Loznica, 1914.

What is the ideal soldier age?

Why Joining The Military At 25 Is Ideal. While some high school graduates jump at the chance to leave home and enlist right away, this is not ideal for everyone. At age 25, you took the time to learn some valuable life lessons that pay off.

Who was the oldest soldier ever?

Jean Thurel finally died in 1807, following a short illness. He was 108. After nine full decades as a soldier, he remained a private throughout, never dropping off the regiment's active duty list.

Who gets deployed first in war?

The Marine Corps is often first on the ground in combat situations.

Do you get Sundays off in basic training?

If you enroll in boot camp, expect to be on duty seven days a week, though you might get several hours of personal time on Sunday since it's a day with lighter responsibilities.

Do you get Christmas off in basic training?

The Army is the only branch of the military that honors the Holiday Block Leave for all recruits who are in basic training. This allows the drill sergeants and instructors to have a break during Christmas and prepare to come back for the New Year ready to train.

What is the safest military branch?

The primary mission of the Coast Guard is to protect domestic waterways. What is the safest military branch? The Space Force is the safest military branch in terms of man-to-man combat and machine-to-machine accidents.

Which bootcamp is the easiest?

At the background check stage, the easiest military to join is the Army or Navy. At the ASVAB stage, the easiest military branch to join is the Army or Air Force. At the basic training stage, the easiest military branch to enter is the Air Force.

Which military has the best benefits?

The Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force are the branches of the military that have the best benefits. They also are the branches of the military that have the best pay.

At what age are you forced out of the military?

10 U.S. Code § 1253: Mandatory retirement age for general and flag officers is age 64.

Can felons join the military?

criminal record. 10 U.S.C. 504 prohibits any person who has been convicted of a felony from being enlisted in any of the Military Services; however, 10 U.S.C. 504 authorizes a waiver in meritorious cases. Except as limited by paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section, persons.

What disqualifies you from MEPS?

What can disqualify you at MEPS? Any disqualifications that appear during your MEPS physical exam or interview may prevent you from joining the Army. These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height/weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others.

What is the lowest paying military branch?

E-1: $20,340. E-1 is the lowest enlisted rank in the US military: Airman Basic (Air Force), Private (Army/Marine Corps), Seaman Recruit (Navy). Service members usually hold this rank through basic training, and automatically promote to the next rank after six months of service.

Which branch promotes the fastest?

The Army is generally the branch of the military that promotes the fastest. That said, your military job and advanced education you have will impact your ability to be promoted. A college degree can help you get promoted, regardless of your branch. However, specialized career fields often don't promote quickly.

What military branch has the most females?

Similar shares of men and women currently serve in the Army, which is the largest active-duty branch of the military, and in the Navy. But women are more likely than men to be in the Air Force; nearly one-third (31%) of military women are in the Air Force compared with 22% of men.

Do you get paid at basic training?

Do You Get Paid for Basic Training? Yes. You'll be glad to hear you're at least getting paid to struggle through challenges that will shape you into a soldier. During the in-processing of Week Zero, the Army will establish your military pay records and scale.

Can you have your phone in basic training?

Are cell phones allowed in Basic Training? There are no cell phones allowed in Basic Training. This is a consistent rule for all of the military branches: Do not expect your service member to be able to call you, text you, or receive your messages when they are in Basic Training.

How much money do you make while in basic training?

Many will graduate boot camp as an E-2, but while training as a recruit, everyone is paid the same. In 2022, Marine Corps Boot Camp pay is $1,695 per month or an annual salary of $20,340. The Marine Corps pays via direct deposit on the 1st and 15th of each month unless that day falls on a weekend or a holiday.

What not to tell a military recruiter?

So, what should you not tell your Air Force Recruiter? I'll be straight-up: you do not want to lie to your recruiter. Even if your recruiter seems to encourage you to lie - don't. It's a felony to give false information or withhold required information on any military recruiting paperwork.

What recruiters don t tell you military?

Do you have to swear in at MEPS?

Once you have gone through initial questioning phases with your recruiter and have discussed your options, your recruiter will set an appointment for you to go to the nearest MEPS. Here you will take the ASVAB, have a physical, and (if you pass) -- choose your job and swear in.

How much do you get paid for 4 years in the Army?

How much does an E-4 make in the Army a month?

Is military pay taxed?

Non-Excludable Taxes – Military pay for earned while in a combat zone is subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes and will appear on your W-2. Period Covered – You will receive the exclusion for months you served in a combat zone, including partial months of service.

Do you go home after basic training?

Soldiers are not given the opportunity to go home after basic training as most AIT school check-ins are required the day after basic training graduation. AIT schools Phase IV is usually three weeks long. It focuses on training soldiers in the values of the Army, and also starts a focus on their specific MOS skills.

What time do you wake up in the army?

You'll get up at 5 a.m. every single day. Waking up in the morning is an adjustment process that's the same for every single basic training class. When you first arrive, the drill instructors require a lot of noise, yelling and jostling to get everyone out of the rack.

Do they read your letters in basic training?

Mail call is usually every evening, Monday through Saturday. At the end of the duty day, the drill instructor will enter the barracks, call out names and pass out mail. You're then usually granted about one hour of free time to read your mail.

What is the average age for joining the military?

The average age of enlisted accessions is 19.3 years, ranging from 18.5 for the Marine Corps to 19.7 for the Army. Approximately 87 percent of new recruits are 18- to 24-year-olds, compared to about 36 percent of the comparable civilian population.

Is it good to join the military at 25?

So, in summary, the pros of joining the military at 25 include: You'll be more mature, have more life experience. You're still physically fit enough to serve. You're typically 'mentally tougher' in your mid-20's.

What is the majority race in the military?

Can a felon join the military?

criminal record. 10 U.S.C. 504 prohibits any person who has been convicted of a felony from being enlisted in any of the Military Services; however, 10 U.S.C. 504 authorizes a waiver in meritorious cases. Except as limited by paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of this section, persons.

Can you join the Army at 21?

Must be at least 21 years of age, but younger than 42 at time of Regular Army commissioning or less than 45 at time of Army Reserve commissioning. Prior service applicants with at least 3 years of prior AFS or creditable USAR service must be younger than 47 at time of Army Reserve commissioning.

At what age can I no longer join the military?

How long do soldiers live?

The mean age at retirement was 46.48 ± 6.63 years (median 45.31), and the mean age at death was 69.40 ± 12.55 years (median 69.85).

Can you quit basic training?

Can you quit Basic Training? You can not quit or drop out of Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) after you have sworn in and your contract is signed. There will be many opportunities to stop your path to enlistment along your journey.

Is the ASVAB hard?

The P&P-ASVAB contains some very easy and very hard questions, but most are of average difficulty. The CAT-ASVAB software adjusts to your ability level and administers questions that are best suited for you. If you are above average ability, you will receive questions that are above average difficulty.