The US Army announced Wednesday that it is lifting its maximum enlistment age from 40 to 42, the second such increase in six months. The previous ceiling of 35 was already raised to 40 in January 2006.
Army recruiting officials said older enlistees who can satisfy physical requirements tend to perform well, citing their maturity and motivation. Applicants aged 40 to 42 must clear the same fitness standards as younger recruits but will undergo additional medical evaluation. Both men and women in that age group qualify, and they are eligible for the same bonuses and incentives available to other new soldiers.
Since the January age adjustment, more than 1,000 people older than 35 have signed up. Despite meeting monthly recruiting targets for a full year, the Army fell roughly 8 percent short of its annual goal the previous fiscal year.
Officials are now aiming to bring in 80,000 new recruits this fiscal year. The final four months of the fiscal year will require higher monthly intake numbers than were achieved during the same period last year to hit that target.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in June 2006, in its own words.