The change comes as U.S. troops are in the Middle East to support the ongoing war against Iran.

The U.S. Army has raised its maximum enlistment age to 42, and the change will take effect on April 20, 2026.

The U.S. Army has raised its enlistment age to 42, expanding eligibility as it works to address recruiting challenges and attract more skilled candidates

The U.S. Army is expanding its recruiting pool, raising the maximum enlistment age from 35 years old to 42, according to new service regulations reviewed by ABC News. The move isn’t without precedent. The service lifted the cap to 42 years old in 2006, during the height of the Iraq War, before lowering it back to 35 a decade later.