By Steve Beynon | Military.com
The Army announced Tuesday that it had already reached its annual goal of recruiting 61,000 active-duty soldiers, fueled by efforts to reach out to young Americans who historically have been unqualified to serve and likely a weakening economy.
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have praised recruiting momentum as a sign of renewed patriotism among the nation’s youth.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, in a Wall Street Journal op-ed, credited the uptick to “a resurgence of pride in our country” and “a generation inspired by purpose and service.”
The service met the goal months ahead of schedule after it and the other military branches struggled in recent years with recruiting. The Army had set out to recruit 61,000 soldiers by the end of fiscal 2025, which is Sept. 30.
The early success has prompted the Pentagon to consider the rare move of increasing the Army’s end strength — the total number of soldiers in its ranks.
Among the options, the Pentagon could invoke a relatively obscure authority that allows the defense secretary to increase a service’s end strength by up to 3% without congressional action.
It is not yet clear what is driving the increase in recruiting after the Army and other services barely met their goals last year. But a variety of factors are likely at play.
STARRS NOTE: It’s not clear???????????? The DEI/CRT agenda, demonizing males (especially white males) caused recruitment to hit historic lows. End the DEI/CRT agenda, bring back merit and the warfighting ethos and a new NON-woke administration and the Army has already met its goals, go figure….
Evidence that the DEI/CRT agenda in the military DOES hurt recruiting and retention
….It’s not rocket science, the left media just does not want to face the facts as their twisting and turning to avoid the truth shows:
There is no evidence that the identity or rhetoric of any particular administration influences enlistment, as the motivation to serve is traditionally driven by economic opportunities and sometimes as a direct path for a young person to leave their hometown.
The service also hit its less ambitious recruiting goal of 55,000 enlistments last year.
Much of the Army’s recruiting woes is attributable to a shrinking pool of young Americans eligible to serve. The Pentagon estimates just under one-quarter of 17- to 24-year-olds can meet enlistment standards, namely passing the SAT-style entrance exam and meeting body weight requirements.
Some service officials and experts have tied recent recruiting struggles to the military being out of the cultural zeitgeist.
A sharp increase in the number of required medical waivers has complicated the effort to bring Americans into the service — driven in part by the implementation of Military Health System Genesis, a digital health record system that provides the military with unprecedented access to applicants’ medical histories.
Recruiters say the system often flags minor or outdated health issues, causing enlistments to stall or be denied unnecessarily. Internal Army data shows that medical waivers have nearly tripled, rising from 5,300 in 2022 to almost 15,000 in 2024.
At the same time, the Army has relaxed some of its standards related to criminal history. In 2022, it approved the enlistment of 98 individuals with felony convictions — a number that climbed to 401 in 2024. However, officials noted that applicants with convictions related to sexual offenses remain ineligible for service.
But central to the turnaround is the Future Soldier Preparatory Courses, a program launched in 2022 that provides academic and fitness instruction for applicants who fall short of enlistment standards.
As part of the prep courses, an applicant moves onto basic training once they’re in compliance with service standards. As of Friday, 10,465 troops had gone through at least one of those courses this year, according to data provided by the service.
The service loses nearly one-quarter of its fresh enlistees within the first two years of their contract, mostly due to injuries, health concerns or disciplinary problems, internal service data shows. Troops who attend the prep courses have about a 25% attrition rate, compared to 20% of soldiers who enlisted straight into basic training.
Meanwhile, a softening economy could also factor into wider interest in military service.
Trump’s ongoing trade war and economic instability caused a 0.3% contraction in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of this year, the worst quarterly performance in three years. Youth unemployment has also edged upward as companies cut back on entry-level hiring amid volatility in the tech sector and the rapid rollout of artificial intelligence in some companies.
Among the Army’s recruits counted for this year, 11,000 joined last year through the delayed-entry program, which allows young applicants, primarily high school seniors, to commit to service early and ship to basic training after they graduate.
That figure is more than double the program’s usual size, a temporary surge made necessary by training backlogs last year. In response, the Army expanded the number of basic training companies this year to process the larger pipeline.
For the rest of the fiscal year, all new recruits will be entered in the delayed-entry program and thus will be counted in next year’s recruiting numbers.
First published on Military.com
The Army Meets Its Recruitment Goals
More than 61,000 young Americans are serving their country, inspired by purpose and patriotism.
By Dan Driscoll, Secretary of the Army
More than 15 years ago, I signed up to serve my country, packed my bags, and left home for Fort Jackson, S.C., to begin Army basic training. The values I gained—discipline, duty, honor—have shaped me into the husband, father and citizen I am today.
Choosing to serve was one of the most meaningful decisions of my life.
That’s why the news that the U.S. Army has met its fiscal 2025 recruiting contract goals four months early—welcoming more than 61,000 new recruits—is personal. It’s also something all Americans should be proud of.
Reaching this milestone wasn’t easy. The Army has faced challenges in recruiting and retaining talent in recent years. But thanks to the tireless work of Gen. Randy George, Lt. Gen. Johnny Davis, recruiters, drill sergeants and many others we’ve turned the tide.
These men and women could have chosen any path in a country full of opportunity. Instead, they chose to serve their country. I can think of no nobler calling.
It’s especially fitting that these 61,000 recruits are joining as the Army celebrates its 250th birthday.
For 2½ centuries, American soldiers have answered the call to support and defend the nation and the Constitution. These new recruits will carry forward that legacy of honor, courage and service.
Their decision to join also reflects something deeper, a resurgence of pride in our country.
Young Americans are more inspired by purpose and patriotism—ready to stand up for our values and protect our freedoms. They’re stepping up during a time of global uncertainty and complex threats.
We owe it to these young men and women to ensure they are equipped, trained and supported to meet the challenges ahead.
With clear vision from President Trump and steadfast leadership from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Army is again focused on what matters most: strength, readiness and winning.
Thanks to Congressional action, the quality of life for our soldiers has also improved.
The 2025 Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act delivered a historic pay raise for junior enlisted soldiers, housing improvements, healthcare access and child-care and spousal support.
From the White House and Congress to the Pentagon, our soldiers are a priority.
This is only the beginning. As more Americans learn about the Army’s mission and legacy, I hope more will choose to serve.
The Army shaped me into the man I am today—and I know it will shape them, too.
Mr. Driscoll is Secretary of the Army.
First published in the Wall Street Journal
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