Smith-Military



​Military

Qualification Standards for Enlistment Appointment, and Induction A. GENERAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1. Entrance Considerations. Accession of qualified individuals shall be a priority when processing applicants for the Military Services. 2. Eligibility. Eligibility shall be determined by the applicant's ability to meet all requirements of this Directive, to include obtaining waivers. Applicants shall not be enlisted, appointed, or inducted unless fully qualified. B. BASIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 1. Age a. For service in the Active and Reserve components, the minimum age for enlistment is 17 years and the maximum age is 35 years (See 10 U.S.C., 510, reference (a)).) The maximum age for a prior service enlistee is determined by adding the individual's years of prior service to 35. The Secretaries of the Military Departments concerned shall establish age standards for enlistment in the Reserve components (10 U.S.C., 510, reference (a) 1. b. Age limitations for appointment as a commissioned or warrant officer normally depend on the Service concerned. In prescribing the age qualification for appointment as a Reserve officer, the Secretary of the Military Department concerned may not prescribe a maximum standard of less than 47 years for the initial appointment of a person who will serve as a medical, dental, or nurse officer in a specialty designated by the Secretary concerned as critically needed in wartime. (see DOD Instruction 1205.1 (reference (b)).) c. By law (10 U.S.C. 532, reference (a)), personspointed as commissioned officers must be able to complete 20 years of active commissioned service before their 55th birthday in order to receive a Regular commission. The Secretary of the Military Department concerned may defer the retirement for certain health profession officers on a case-by-case basis (10 U.S.C., 1251 reference (a)). 2-A