There's no single maximum age to fight in war; it varies greatly by country, conflict, and military role, but typically ranges from the late 30s to 45 for combat, though older individuals (even into their 60s) have served in non-combat roles or during total mobilization, with some countries like Australia potentially liable up to 60 in wartime, while modern US forces have limits around 42, with specialized roles extending further.
Age limits
Air Force: 17 - 42. Army: 17 - 35. Coast Guard: 17 - 41. Marine Corps: 17 - 28.
As a general rule, you can join the ADF if you are between 3 and 6 years away from the Compulsory Retiring Age for a specific role.
Initially, all men between 21 and 36 years of age had to register for the draft. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the registration range expanded to 18 through 64 years of age. But only men between the ages of 18 through 45 were actually drafted.
Section 59 of the Defence Act outlines who is liable to serve in the defence force during times of war: all people aged between 18 and 60 years old who have lived in Australia for more than six months. Specific exemptions for health, professional, religious or conscientious reasons are outlined in Section 61A.
Military exemption courts
The law is described in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and 10 U.S. Code § 246. Such conscription would apply to able-bodied men between the ages of 17 and 45 who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, U.S. citizens, as well as women in certain health care occupations.
WW2 soldiers carried condoms primarily for disease prevention (STDs like syphilis and gonorrhea) and for practical combat uses, such as keeping sand and mud out of their rifle barrels, protecting small items, or even as makeshift waterproof bags, although the weapon-protection use is sometimes exaggerated in popular culture. The military distributed them widely (often in "prophylactic kits") to maintain troop strength, recognizing the significant manpower lost to venereal diseases in past conflicts.
It required all men between the ages of 18 and 64 to register with the Selective Service. To register, men typically completed a D.S.S. Form 1 Military Draft Registration Card from the Director of Selective Service. Over 49 million draft cards, including The Old Man's Draft, were completed.
Nikolai Morozov - the oldest soldier of WW2 and the oldest sniper in history. Circa 1942. He died at the age of 92 in 1946.
Branch-Specific Military Age Limits
How much does Australian Army in Australia pay? The average Australian Army salary ranges from approximately $58,604 per year for Truck Driver to $100,126 per year for Psychologist. Salary estimated from 1,843 past and present job postings on Indeed.
Yes, getting into the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is challenging due to strict physical, psychological, and aptitude standards, with a rigorous, lengthy selection process that weeds out many applicants, though requirements have slightly adjusted to boost recruitment. You need strong performance in cognitive tests (like ADF YOU), interviews, and fitness assessments, plus must meet medical/security criteria, making thorough preparation essential.
Exemptions
Like many militaries, the ADF has strict mandatory age limits, at both ends of the life cycle. For Australia's permanent forces, compulsory retirement kicks in at 60 years of age, while for Reserves, it's 65 years.
Ages range from 97 to 55 years old (born between 1918 and 1960). Median age is 68 years. An overwhelming majority of Vietnam Veterans are male (6.2M) while in the civilian populaƟon females (47.7M) outnumber males by 20.5M.
Certain medical conditions — such as asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, certain types of mental health disorders and heart problems — can disqualify individuals from joining the military due to the physical and mental demands of service.
All men from the ages of 18 to 64 years will now be eligible for the draft, according to a decision made by congressional committees on December 16, now including men with families who might have previously been exempt because of old age or boys fresh out of school.
Height: 58 – 80 in. Weight: 119 – 227 lb. If you enlist to become a Soldier and don't meet the physical requirements at MEPS, you may be eligible for the fitness track of a program called the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.
'Bad' girls have always known how to look after themselves. Barrier methods were always very popular. A halved, emptied lemon skin placed over the cervix worked well, for example, as did sponges soaked in natural spermicides such as vinegar.
By the end of the war, approximately 7,000 of the 10,500 SIS staff were female. These women on the home front contributed to the Allied victory by successfully breaking codes and deciphering enemy messages. The women cryptologists were held to strict secrecy and would become one of the best-kept secrets of WWII.
The Bible literally has zero to say on condoms.
There is little chance, 60 years later, of conscription being again introduced in Australia, and this article does not advocate for it. But the difficulties Army faced in implementing the scheme are indicative of the problems even a very limited mobilisation would be likely to cause.
John Wayne didn't serve in WWII due to a combination of age (34 at Pearl Harbor), family status (deferment for wife and kids), and, crucially, occupational deferments secured by his studio, Republic Pictures, who argued his films were vital for national morale, though he reportedly wanted to enlist, leading to lifelong guilt and a reputation as a "draft dodger" despite his patriotic image.
Over 800,000 Australian men registered for the National Service Scheme between 1965 and 1972. Of these, 63,000 were called up (conscripted) into Australia's defence forces. Servicemen conscripted under the scheme became known as 'Nashos'.