Trump Comments On Army Recruiting Numbers
The state of military recruitment in the United States has been a source of concern for years, with declining numbers and missed quotas becoming the norm rather than the exception. However, a remarkable shift appears to be taking place.
Former President Donald Trump took the stage on Wednesday to share what he described as “very exciting news” regarding the U.S. Army’s recruitment surge, highlighting that December saw the best numbers in over 15 years.
This announcement comes on the heels of a years-long struggle to meet recruitment goals. In recent years, the military has grappled with dwindling interest from young Americans, a trend attributed to a combination of cultural shifts, physical fitness concerns, and skepticism about the benefits of military service.
While the Army did manage to meet its recruitment goal for the 2024 fiscal year, the bar had been set relatively low. What’s striking about the latest figures, however, is that the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 has already signaled a dramatic rebound.
Trump, addressing a cheering crowd at the White House, underscored the significance of this turnaround. “Every single day, nearly 350 new soldiers enlisted to defend our nation,” he declared, emphasizing the renewed sense of patriotism fueling enlistment.
According to the former president, interviews with new recruits revealed a powerful sentiment: they see a revived spirit in America that hasn’t been felt in years. “And I happen to agree with that,” Trump added.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also weighed in, taking to social media to credit Trump’s leadership for the upswing in enlistment. He attributed the surge to the administration’s renewed focus on military strength, merit, and readiness. “BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong ‘America First’ leadership of @realDonaldTrump,” Hegseth posted.
Former Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, who previously served under President Joe Biden, confirmed that the Army is on track to secure 81,000 new recruits, including 20,000 who have committed to future service through a delayed entry program.
Wormuth pointed out that first-quarter recruitment contracts had reached their highest levels in a decade, describing the momentum as “going like gangbusters.”