The Army is optimistic about meeting its 2025 enlistment targets after years of struggles

Washington: The Army is feeling pretty good about its chances to hit its recruiting goals for 2025. After a tough few years, they’re finally seeing some positive changes.
Army Secretary Christine Wormuth shared that they expect to bring in 61,000 new recruits by the end of this fiscal year. Plus, they’ve got over 20,000 more lined up for 2026. That’s two years in a row of hitting their targets!
Wormuth mentioned that the first quarter of this year has seen the highest contract signings in a decade. She’s excited about the momentum they’re building.
Now, some folks have been calling the Army “woke,” blaming it for recruitment issues. Wormuth pushed back on that idea, saying it hasn’t been a real factor in their struggles.
She pointed out that concerns about safety and career interruptions are much bigger issues for potential recruits. Interestingly, only 5% of young adults mentioned “wokeness” as a reason for not joining.
One big change that’s helped is the Future Soldier Prep Course, which started in 2022. It gives recruits who might be struggling some extra help to meet the standards before they head to basic training.
Wormuth also noted that they’re seeing more diversity in enlistment, with record numbers of Hispanic recruits and a rise in Black enlistment. It’s a step in the right direction.
In the past, the Army has faced challenges, like falling short of its goals and competition from private companies. But with these new strategies, they’re turning things around.
Overall, it looks like the Army is on a better path now, and they’re hopeful about the future.