Battling recruiting and retention shortfalls among its part-time soldiers, the Army is launching a new experimental policy approving the acceptance of not-so-young recruits into the ranks of the Army National Guard and Reserve. Dubbed a three-year “test,” the new policy will bump up the maximum age for new enlistments from 34 years to 39 years, according to an Army announcement. The policy applies to both men and women joining the military for the first time. The older recruits will be eligible for the same enlistment bonuses and other incentives as younger volunteers, according to the announcement. Those with prior service experience interested in reserves duty remain under existing rules. “The program will evaluate the feasibility of a permanent change to Army Reserve Component enlistment policy,” reads the announcement. The test program begins immediately and will run through September 30, 2008. Set by law, the maximum age for active-duty recruits will remain at less than 35 years old. [more]