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The United States Army reached its recruiting goals for 2026 four months early, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed during a Saturday commencement speech at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York.
“Recruitments are up across the joint force, and I’m pleased to announce that just two days ago, the U.S. Army met its 2026 recruiting goals four months early,” Hegseth said.
“A second record year in a row. That means you’re about to train this group right here and lead 61,500 new soldiers. And next year, when we grow the size of the army, it will be even more when you’re out there in your formations as platoon leaders at the tip of the spear, you will be at the tip of the spear of their snapback,” he continued.
In 2025, the Army set a goal of 61,000 and exceeded it with 62,050, according to the Pentagon.
DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH REVEALS WHY MILITARY RECRUITMENT HAS SOARED UNDER TRUMP
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth salutes graduating cadets during the United States Military Academy commencement ceremony in Michie Stadium at the U.S. Military Academy on May 23, 2026, in West Point, New York. (Adam Gray/Getty Images)
“The men and women who chose to serve our nation are actively showing their commitment to something larger than themselves,” Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Basham, United States Army Recruiting Division command sergeant major, said in a statement. “The nation depends on their strength, character and commitment.”
During Hegseth’s speech, the war secretary also criticized previous military policy of focusing on diversity goals and “anti-American ideologies.”
“They embraced the DEI craze and tried to introduce diversity and inclusion studies, and they hired professors who advocated for anti-American ideologies right here in these halls. But no more. West Point is set apart. It’s special. It’s above politics. Success here is based on merit. It’s how you perform that matters. This is the United…
