The Department of the Air Force has quietly increased the age limit for new enlisted and officer recruits by three years, allowing aspiring airmen and guardians to join up until the age of 42. This change comes as the Air Force missed its recruiting target for the first time in 20 years, prompting officials to explore new strategies to attract more individuals to military service.

The decision to raise the age limit was made to broaden the pool of potential candidates and provide more Americans with the opportunity to serve their country. Leslie Brown, the chief of public affairs for the Air Force recruiting service, highlighted that this change allows an Airman or Guardian to serve a full 20 years, given that the retirement age is 62.

The Air Force fell short by approximately 2,700 airmen in meeting its recruitment goal this year. In contrast, its space-focused sister service surpassed its enlisted recruit benchmark of 472. The challenges in recruiting new personnel persist due to various factors such as a robust job market and a declining interest among young individuals in military service.

With the new age ceiling of 42, Air Force officials predict that they will attract around 50 additional recruits each year. In recent months, the service has also eased strict regulations pertaining to tattoos and past drug use, aiming to reduce barriers to entry for potential recruits without compromising the quality standards.

This is not the first time the Air Force has revised its age cutoff for service. The last update was in 2014 when the age limit was raised from 27 to 39. Since then, several recruits in their late thirties have joined the ranks, contributing to the overall strength of the force.

The Air Force is determined to meet its recruitment goals and ensure a robust and capable force. By expanding the age limit to 42, they aim to tap into a larger pool of potential recruits and provide more individuals with an opportunity to serve their country.