In a significant policy shift, the US Army has raised the maximum enlistment age to 42 years old and relaxed restrictions regarding marijuana use for recruits. This decision comes amid ongoing recruitment challenges, as the military seeks to bolster its ranks during a period of increasing global tensions. The changes allow older recruits to join without needing waivers for previous marijuana convictions, marking an effort to adapt recruitment strategies to attract a broader demographic. This new policy aims to address a recruitment crisis that has persisted for several years.