Navy meets annual recruiting goal three months early under Trump’s leadership

by Dillon Burroughs

Photo: Alamy

The U.S. Navy has reached its Fiscal Year 2025 recruiting goal three months ahead of schedule, Navy Secretary John C. Phelan announced Tuesday, marking another win for military recruitment under the Trump administration.

Phelan said a total of 40,600 recruits have committed to serve, attributing the milestone to both the dedication of the recruits and the strong backing of President Donald Trump.

“I am proud to announce that we have met our Fiscal Year 2025 recruiting goal three months ahead of schedule,” Phelan posted on X. “This achievement reflects the courage of those who choose a life of honor and commitment in defense of our nation.”

The secretary also thanked the president and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for their leadership, saying their support has helped strengthen naval readiness.

“Your support has been instrumental in strengthening our U.S. Navy and ensuring its readiness for the challenges ahead,” he wrote.

The news comes as earlier this month, the U.S. Army reached its active-duty recruiting goal of 61,000 soldiers for fiscal year 2025, completing the target four months ahead of the September 30 deadline, according to military officials.

The accomplishment represents a sharp turnaround after the Army fell short of its goals in 2022 and 2023. The 2025 target was a 10 percent increase over last year’s goal of 55,000 recruits.

“I’m incredibly proud of our U.S. Army recruiters and drill sergeants,” said Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll. “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.”

With the service’s 250th anniversary approaching on June 14, officials plan to continue recruiting efforts. New applicants will enter the Delayed Entry Program and begin training in the upcoming fiscal year.

“I want to thank the commander in chief, President Trump, and Secretary of Defense 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,” Driscoll added. “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.”

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