Being in your 40s is no longer a barrier to joining the service. Recruits up to 42 years old can now join the Air Force and Space Force.

The services quietly raised the cut-off from 39 years old on Oct. 24. It comes as the Air Force missed its recruiting goal for the first time since 1999, falling nearly 2,700 airmen short.

It follows a similar move by the Navy last year to raise the age limit to 41, after the service faced its own shortfall in recruiting. The Coast Guard also raised the age for recruits to 42 years old in 2022. Federal law caps the maximum age for a recruit at 42 years old, which is the oldest an individual could serve until retirement at 62 years old, said Leslie Brown, chief of public affairs for Air Force Recruiting Service. 

An Air Force spokesman says all of the same standards will apply, regardless of age. 

“Applicants could be placed in any job they qualify for, but qualifications do vary based on Air Force specialty. Some jobs have specific strength and stamina requirements, certain Air Force Qualification Test score requirements, non-corrected vision, etc,” Brown said.

The Air Force still maintains an age cap of 33 years for all pilots, combat systems officers and air battle managers. The move is expected to add at least another 50 recruits a year. 

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