The outlook for military recruitment is brighter than it was two years ago, as recruitment goals are being met earlier since President Trump took office.
Breitbart reported that Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell told reporters at the Pentagon on Wednesday that the Air Force and Space Force hit their recruiting goals three months early. Parnell told reporters, “Thanks to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth’s leadership, enthusiasm to serve is at an all-time high. Since November 5, 2024, the U.S. military has seen the highest recruiting percentage mission achieved in 30 years.” It was only a month ago when the Navy and the Army accomplished their same recruitment goals.
According to the Department of Defense (DOD), just two years ago, the Army saw a shortfall of 15,000 soldiers. That was the biggest gap since the draft ended in 1973. Now, the Army has reached its goal of 61,000 new soldiers four months ahead of schedule. To put this number into perspective, last year, Breitbart reported that in March 2024, there were 50 percent fewer new recruits than in March 2025.
Parnell explained that this success can be attributed to several reasons, primarily due to the new leadership. He told reporters, “I believe that with President Trump as a commander-in-chief and Secretary Hegseth at the helm here in the DOD, leadership matters,” and added, “their leadership and moral clarity as it pertains to certain issues, not just here within the department, but all around the world, has inspired people to want to join and serve this country in great numbers.”
According to the DOD, initiatives like the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course, led by Hegseth and President Trump, have been a significant contributing factor. Both the DOD and Hegseth have acknowledged that they need to keep this momentum going to attract even more new recruits. Hegseth’s Recruitment Task Force will work to identify obstacles to recruitment and overcome them.
Parnell has faith in Hegseth and President Trump’s efforts to boost recruitment and Breitbart reported that he added, “I think the Secretary is looking at a constellation of different things to sustain the momentum that we have now, but the reality is that leadership matters, and the president and the secretary are inspirational leaders.”
