The Navy is now accepting new recruits up to age 41. Until Friday, the maximum enlistment age was 39.

“As we continue to navigate a challenging recruiting environment, raising the enlistment age allows us to widen the pool of potential recruits, creating opportunities for personnel who wish to serve,” Navy Recruiting Command spokesman Cmdr. Dave Benham told Navy Times.

The Navy barely met its fiscal year 2022 recruitment goals and has said the current fiscal year will be tough for recruitment, too.

Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Camilo Fernan