Age.  While the overall acceptable age range for enlistment in the Armed Services is between 17 and 35, the USCG further restricts its new accessions to the 17 to 27 age range.  In FY 1998, 89 percent of USCG NPS accessions were between the ages of 18 and 24 as compared to 87 percent of overall DoD accessions, and 35 percent of the comparable civilian population.  Age differences are explained, in part, by different age requirements in each Service.  The Army and Navy (accounting for 64 percent of overall DoD NPS accessions) accept 17 to 35 year olds.  For detailed age statistics, see Appendix E, Table E-5 for USCG and Appendix B, Table B-1 for overall DoD figures.

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