The United States Army reached its recruiting goals for 2026 four months early, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed during a commencement speech Saturday 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."
In 2025, the Army set a goal of 61,000 and exceeded it with 62,050, according to the Pentagon.
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