The annual recruitment goal for the Army for 2025 was 61,000, which was met during the first week of June even though the deadline was set for September 30. The Army failed to reach its target in 2022 and 2023 and struggled to reach the intended goal during 2024.
What’s changed? There have been new programs, yes, but also new leadership.
“This achievement represents a significant turning point for the Army and indicates a renewed sense of patriotism and purpose among America’s youth,” an Army statement read.
Dan Driscoll, who is the secretary of the Army, also spoke about the work of service recruiters and drill sergeants for the dedication that it took in order to reach the FY25 recruiting goal.
“The U.S. Army is focused on lethality, taking care of our soldiers, and transforming for a dangerous future – young people across the country want to be part of the U.S. Army, and these results clearly demonstrate that,” Driscoll said.
The recruiting target for this year was 10% higher than in 2024, which was set for 55,000 new recruits. The last time that the U.S. Army reached its recruiting goal this early was in June 2014.
Congressman John McGuire (R-Virginia), who is a veteran Navy SEAL, spoke with Tony Perkins on Washington Watch about the improved recruitment seen in the army.
“We've reached our recruiting numbers for the Army four months early, and we haven't even gotten into the most productive months for recruiting this year yet. So, we're on the way,” McGuire says.
One reason that recruitment numbers have risen in recent years is because of new programs such as the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which was established in August 2022. This was formed because of potential recruits who had the heart for service but could not meet the necessary requirements needed for military service. Recruits who did not make the cut were sent to Fort Jackson in South Carolina to take part in academic and fitness training for the next 90 days to prepare for the next time recruitment testing came around.
McGuire attributes this spike in recruitment to having President Donald Trump return to the White House. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump both believe this is brough about by the Trump’s administration’s effort to remove Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
“I love what Pete Hegseth says. No more climate change, no more transgender surgeries. We are here to make our military lethal so that we can protect the American people,” McGuire states. Pete Hegseth (left) has mandated the removal of transgender troops in the military, claiming those with gender dysphoria are not fit for the intense standards needed for military service. The deadline for any transgender service member to identify himself or herself and voluntarily leave the service is Friday.
A transgender military ban had been in place previously but was lifted in 2016 by the Secretary of Defense of that time, Ash Carter.
Trump faced strong opposition in efforts to reinstate the ban during his first term. The result was the Pentagon putting in place a policy that allowed active service members with gender dysphoria to continue serving, but it barred anyone diagnosed with gender dysphoria from enlisting, which was overturned by President Joe Biden when he entered office in 2021.
The new ban faced lawsuits; however, the Supreme Court has ruled that the ban can move forward.
The Army is celebrating a milestone birthday this month.
“The Army is going to celebrate 250 years on June 14th. It's going to be a parade, and that's a history that needs to be told. And it's great for recruiting,” McGuire says.
Along with celebrating the army and showcasing the military power of the U.S., the purpose of the parade is to help inspire the next generation to partake in military service. Spectators at the event will be able to see the history of the army, showing its development from the Revolutionary War all the way to the U.S. Army of Tomorrow.
McGuire makes the comparison of soldiers who fight for America to basketball players who play on a team. If a person hates the team he is playing on, then that team will lose. America needs people to care for their country to fight for her.
“People need to be taught patriotism. Our Judeo-Christian values need to be taught. And we have an incredible country,” McGuire concludes.
