17 when I joined the AF and 21 when I joined the army.

I went in at 18, but 23 is not too old. After boot, you can usually convince them to give you the jump glasses over the BCG's, not much better. The best thing to do is to get some sport glasses after boot. You will never be able to keep contacts clean in the field.

Honestly I have noticed that is the age group where people seem to be more physically fit. I joined when I was 19 and there was one guy in there that was 32. he had no problem. My advice is just don't be stupid.

I went to MEPS to ship out on my 18th B-Day. At 23 you should not encounter many problems. Remember not to buy any underage soldiers alcohol while you are still in training. That could come back and bite you in your 6.

I WAS 18 YEARS OLD AND WENT TO MARINE CORPS BOOT CAMP 1 WEEK AFTER GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL

On my 18th B-day I was turning my head to cough. Tried joining sooner but pops said no and I needed his signature.

you can handle things better when your older, you most likely know not to talk back or be a wise ass to the drill instructor when your older.

Originally Posted by webs

you can handle things better when your older, you most likely know not to talk back or be a wise ass to the drill instructor when your older.

Don't count on that, one of my best friends from boot was 24 and was the biggest smart a** we had in the platoon. If he wasn't being trashed, we were because of him!!

i guess some guys can still be imature, my dad had a guy like that in his basic.

When I joined a long time ago at age 18 the cut-off age was 35, it still may be the same. We had guys in their 30's at basic with us, one guy was from Puerto Rico and could barley speak any english and it gave us a laugh most the time the DI would try to tell him something.