US army raises upper age for recruits to 42 and scraps marijuana restrictions

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The US army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 years old and scrapped a barrier for potential recruits who have a legal conviction for marijuana or drug paraphernalia possession.

People aged up to 42 can now enlist in the army, the army national guard and the army reserves, according to the new US army regulation, lifting the previous ceiling of 35 years old.

The army has also removed restrictions upon recruits who have a single conviction for possession of marijuana or associated items such as bongs, pipes and spoons. Previously, such a conviction would require a special wavier from officials in the Pentagon, with the recruit having to wait 24 months to enlist and passing a drug test.

The change in age limit brings the army more into line with other branches of the US military, such as the navy and air force, and may help deal with the recruitment struggles the army has faced in recent years.

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