All U.S. military branches exceed recruiting goals this year

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(The Center Square) – All U.S. military branches surpassed their recruitment goals this year with the National Guard the latest to announce it surpassed its target for 2025.

"The United States National Guard announced that it has exceeded its 2025 recruitment goals, reflecting an extraordinary trend of robust enlistment across the entire U.S. military," the Department of War said.

The U.S. Army and Air National Guard announced it enlisted nearly 50,000 new members in fiscal year 2025, bringing the total end strength of the guard to more than 433,000. 

"Young Americans are eager to serve," Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, National Guard Bureau chief, said. "Today's recruits are seeking long-term value, and the National Guard delivers through career training and hands-on, practical experience in more than 200 career specialties."  

In June and July, the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Space Force announced they had met their recruitment goals several months ahead of schedule. 

The U.S. Army signed contracts with more than 61,000 future soldier recruits four months before the end of the fiscal year and ahead of its 250-year anniversary of June 14. 

The fiscal year goes from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.  

“I’m incredibly proud of our U.S. Army recruiters and drill sergeants,” Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll said. “Their colossal efforts and dedication to duty helped the U.S. Army accomplish our FY25 annual recruiting goal a full four months ahead of schedule.” 

The U.S. Navy also met its recruitment goal ahead of schedule in June with more than 40,600 future sailors signing contracts as new recruits surpassing its recruitment goals, The Center Square reported. 

On Oct. 13, the U.S. Navy celebrated its 250-year anniversary.  

The U.S. Marine Corps also announced it surpassed its recruitment goals for enlisted and officers; 30,536 active-duty and reserve enlisted Marines were recruited this year as were 1,792 active duty and reserve officers. 

The U.S. Air Force and Space Force also announced they met their annual recruitment goal in the third quarter of the year. Roughly 25,000 Air Force and 30,000 Space Force recruits began basic military training this year. The bulk began in the summer, the remainder by Sept. 30, The Center Square reported.

Among the Air Force recruits were 750 Special Warfare candidates, who represent “a historic number of individuals who have signed up for these challenging-to-fill career fields,” the Air Force said.

The leaders of the service branches credit President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth with the recruitment surge, marking a significant reversal from the Biden era. 

Under the Biden administration, more than 60,000 Army soldiers faced losing pay and benefits over a vaccine mandate and recruitment and retention levels were at an all-time low, The Center Square reported. Military service branches also suffered from low morale, failed to meet recruitment goals and were plagued with a range of issues prompting congressional hearings.   

Within just a few months in office, Trump and Hegseth reversed many Biden administration military policies and the branches saw a renewed and record level of recruitment interest, including a large number of service members reenlisting.

Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said Trump and Hegseth made the recruiting milestone possible. Their support “has been instrumental in strengthening our U.S. Navy and ensuring its readiness for the challenges ahead,” he said.

Driscoll thanked Commander in Chief, President Trump, and Secretary Hegseth “for their decisive leadership and support in equipping, training and supporting these future Soldiers as they face a world of global uncertainty and complex threats. Putting Soldiers first is having a tangible impact and shows that young people across our country want to be part of the most lethal land fighting force the world has ever seen.”