Pentagon Reports Surge in Female Military Recruits Across All Branches

The Pentagon has experienced a significant surge in female military recruits in fiscal year 2025, with nearly 24,000 women enlisting, marking over a 30 percent increase from the previous year. This rise coincides with the Army surpassing its overall recruitment goals early, contracting over 61,000 recruits, a 10 percent increase from 2024 targets. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump have been credited for this upward trend, with Pentagon officials dismissing media claims of declining female recruitment as false. Leadership emphasizing a return to warfighting and rejecting politically correct policies has been cited as a motivating factor for recruits. However, Pentagon surveys reveal ongoing concerns among potential recruits about physical injuries and emotional impacts of military service. Despite these worries, the increase in enlistments is a positive development amid longstanding challenges with youth inclination to serve in the armed forces.