Expert: Rod Powers - 11/6/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is the age cut off for the reserves before your 43rd birthday? I turned 42 Sept of this year and I have been actively trying to enlist in the reserve since May. I have faced many setbacks and have been able to get little direction. June I completed my ASVAB and went for my physical. Rec'd a letter from MEPS in Jun with my results, my cholesterol was a little high so I did not pass. I immediately called my recruiter and got many run arounds and no direction. I continued to call and visit the recruiter office up until Aug, my wife then called the Colonel and less then a couple days later I was told I could see my own doctor. I was able to get my blood work cleared by my doctor and the results to the recruiter's office a week before my 42 b-day but it took over two weeks to clear MEPS, now recruiter's office is saying it's to late.  I feel as if my 1st recruiter would have done more to guide me I would have been enlisted way before my 42nd b-day.
HELP

ANSWER: Hi Bradely,

I assume you mean the ARMY Reserves (each of the branches have different standards for age).

For the ARMY Reserves (and active duty ARMY), you must ship to basic training prior to your 42nd birthday (see: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/joiningthemilitary/a/enlage.htm).

I'm afraid the Army almost never grants age waivers for non-prior service enlistments.

If you feel your recruiter messed up, you can make an official complaint to the Army's recruiting service IG (Inspector General). This probably won't get you in, but will probably result in the practices of your recruiter being investigated. The address is:

Inspector General, U.S. Army Recruiting, USAREC, Fort Knox, KY 40121.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: How do I go about getting an age waiver? I strongly believe that I fall under these qualifications. Due to the nature of my so called recruitment I lost almost 4 months trying to get answers that no one would give me. As a result I am not able to enlist because of my age! So I was forced to seek answers else where that's when my wife found this website.  Thank you for your time you have been very helpful.

Answer
Hi Bradely,

Age waivers for Army enlistments aren't possible for non-prior service. Thats because the Army's maximum enlistment age is already equal to the maximum enlistment age allowed by Federal law.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com