Early Momentum: Army Hits 30,000 Recruits, Half its Goal for the Year

Six U.S. Army recruits sworn in

The Army is already nearly halfway to meeting its ambitious goal of recruiting 61,000 active-duty soldiers during this fiscal year, according to internal data reviewed by Military.com. The service has 30,000 new enlistments this year — an increase of 6,000 compared to the same period last year, the data shows. The milestone comes as the […]

Surge of Female Enlistments Helped Drive Army Success in Reaching 2024 Recruiting Goal

U.S. Army women aviators stand for a portrait on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Last year marked the first time in several years that the Army achieved its ambitious recruiting goals — primarily due to an increase in female recruits, according to internal service data reviewed by Military.com. Nearly 10,000 women signed up for active duty in 2024, an 18% jump from the previous year, while male recruitment increased […]

Army Surpasses its Goal for Recruiting Active-Duty Soldiers, But Just Barely

U.S. Army soldiers march across Inouye Parade Field for their Initial Entry Training (IET) graduation ceremony.

The Army says it has hit recruiting goals for this year following a military wide slump, a sign the service may be overcoming the struggle to build up its ranks as it seeks a commanding presence in the Pacific to counter China. Service officials announced Thursday that the Army enlisted 55,300 new active-duty soldiers, marginally […]

Army Expects to Miss Its Recruiting Goal Again This Year

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard A. Montcalm, the commander of 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, gives the Oath of Enlistment, April 18, 2023, at the Douthit Gunnery Complex on Fort Riley, Kansas.

The Army does not expect to hit its ambitious recruiting goal of 65,000 new soldiers this year as the pool of young Americans eligible to serve continues to shrink. “We are not going to make that goal,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told lawmakers at a congressional hearing Tuesday. “We are doing everything we can to […]