After years of decline, recruiting numbers for the U.S military are on the rise.
One military official tells Florida Daily that for the month of April, the U.S. Army is expected to meet its recruitment goals. So far this year, the Army has already reached 85% of its fiscal year 2025 enlistment goal.
Other branches, including the Navy and Air Force, are also witnessing an increase in numbers. The US Department of Defense (DOD) says the Navy is set to meet its highest recruiting numbers in at least 20 years. The Air Force’s numbers have jumped by 20% for this year.
DOD numbers show Florida is one of the top states where the spike in recruitment is taking place. The overall trend shows military recruiting is gaining.
Some of the factors.
New administration and changes in policy, increased pay. Offering more bonuses and incentives to attract new recruits. The Trump White House is eliminating DEI. Ads promoting the military as a great place for job security and educational benefits. No more covid vaccine mandates.
The military has also changed some of its requirements, which has allowed more applicants. Like improving recruitment by increasing enlistment eligibility through programs like the Future Soldier Preparatory Course.
The program helps applicants meet body fat and academic standards and has proven to be a recruitment lifeline. Once recruits meet the Army’s standards, they proceed to basic training.
Military recruiters have seen a steady increase in women enlisting and blacks, who make up 25% of new Army recruits in 2024.
Still some obstacles the military is trying to work through.
The Pentagon says only 23% of Americans aged 17 to 24 were qualified to serve. The reasons were an increase in obesity rates and poor performance on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, a standardized test used to screen potential enlistees.
