US Army Achieves Record Recruitment Following Trump Election Victory

The U.S. Army reported record recruitment figures following President Donald Trump's reelection, with December 2024 marking the highest recruitment numbers in 15 years, averaging nearly 350 new soldiers enlisted daily. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attributed the surge to America's youth wanting to serve under Trump's 'America First' leadership. Various strategies, including the expansion of the Future Soldier Preparatory Course and increased medical support at recruitment centers, were implemented to enhance the enlistment process. However, despite these gains, the military still fell short of its overall recruiting goals by 41,000 in 2023. The Army is also undergoing a restructuring that involves cutting 24,000 positions to better prepare for future challenges. The recruitment boost is seen as a response to the previous administration's policies, particularly following discharges related to COVID-19 vaccine mandates.