During WWII, my Dad ran away and tried to join the Army 3 times before his parents finally consented to sign him in at age 15. And the Army took him! He retired after 20 years.
Wow. 35 is a pretty sweet retirement age.
My dad lied about his age and joined the Air Force toward the end of the war. After a few weeks his commander figured it out and instead of punishing him, gave him an honorable discharge and sent him packing.
Dad promptly joined the Navy and was talk of his ship as to how a kid so young could already have an honorable discharge from the Air Force.