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The Army Has Struggled to Meet Recruitment Numbers for Years… Until Now
What’s behind this sudden feverish patriotism?
Something is stirring in America. And dare I say, it will make your chest puff out and your spine snap to attention. Across this great land — from the cornfields of Iowa to the vape clouds of suburban Tampa —young Americans are joining the Army. These brave recruits, armed with grit, flexed biceps, (and a 50K signing bonus), are charging toward destiny and a reason to stop asking what your country can do for you.
For much of the past few years, the U.S. Army has been mired in a recruitment slump. Fiscal year 2023 ended with the Army at only 54,000 soldiers, falling 11,000 short of its goal — the worst recruiting crisis in decades.
Not so today. After years of recruitment shortfalls, Army officials announced a “significant turning point,” reaching their target of over 61,000 active-duty contracts, four months ahead of schedule — the highest recruitment numbers in over a decade. Overall, military recruitment rose 12.5% in fiscal 2024 compared to 2023.
What could possibly account for this recruiting resurgence? Pete Hegseth, the Fox News personality-turned-Defense Secretary, had one three-letter explanation: DEI —diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
