Can I join Special Forces at 40?
Jessica Young
Updated on January 05, 2026
Green Beret Age Limit
Joining the Special Forces after 30 is possible, provided your physical abilities are adequate. Green Beret training is intense, so you will need to be capable of all that is asked of you in order to join. After the age of 36, you will no longer be considered for acceptance in the Special Forces.What is the oldest you can be to join Special Forces?
20-36 years old. Pass the Army fitness test and clear height and weight standards.How old can you be to become a Green Beret?
To become part of the Army's Green Berets, you need to be mentally and physically tough, endure difficult training and face challenges head-on. In addition, to qualify for the Special Forces contract, you must meet the following criteria: Meet the minimum age requirement of 20 years old. Be a U.S. citizen.What is the average age of Special Forces soldiers?
Special Forces Officer Age BreakdownInterestingly enough, the average age of Special Forces Officers is 30-40 years old, which represents 44% of the population.
Can you enlist straight into Special Forces?
You can qualify for assignment to the Green Berets straight from basic training. If you're an enlisted soldier who'd like to become a Green Beret, though, you must: Have a pay grade of at least E-3. Be able to get a secret clearance.Am I Too Old For SFAS? | Former Green Beret
Do Special Forces get paid more?
When you're talking about base salary, the answer is not a whole lot β at least, not when compared with many civilian careers. Even those in high-ranking special forces divisions aren't sweeping in hundreds of thousands of bucks a year; in fact, they're often earning much less.What is the age cut off for Navy SEALs?
Navy SEALs QualificationsAll SEAL candidates are required to meet the following qualification standards and pass the PST: 18-28 years old (17 with parental permission) A U.S. citizen.