The Air Force and Space Force have announced that they are raising the age limits for new recruits to 42 years old. This decision comes as a response to the Air Force falling short of its recruiting goals for the first time in over 20 years, with a shortage of nearly 2,700 airmen. As a result, individuals between the ages of 17 and 42 are now eligible to join either branch.
According to Leslie Brown, spokesperson for the Air Force Recruiting Service, recruits who join at the age of 42 will have the opportunity to serve a full 20 years as officers or enlisted personnel. Applicants will be considered for any job they qualify for based on their individual skills and abilities. However, certain positions may have specific requirements such as strength and stamina, minimum test scores, or non-corrected vision.
While the age limit for flying officer positions, including pilots, combat systems officers, and air battle managers, remains at 33, the increase in age limit is expected to bring in an additional 50 qualified individuals per year.
In the previous fiscal year, 12 applicants were disqualified due to aging out of the recruitment process. The Air Force plans to reach out to these individuals in light of the new age limit.
This change in age requirements follows the Air Force’s recent relaxation of recruitment standards in other areas. One notable change is a two-year pilot program that allows applicants who test positive for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a chemical associated with marijuana use, during physical exams at the Military Entrance Processing Station, to have a second chance. Previously, a positive THC result would have resulted in permanent disqualification.
The Air Force and Space Force are optimistic that these adjustments will attract a wider pool of qualified candidates and help meet recruitment goals in the future.
