The U.S. Army announced that it exceeded its recruitment goals and finished December 2024 with the highest number of recruitment in over a decade.
Nearly 350 soldiers every day that month enlisted in the Army.
“[U.S. Army Recruiting] had their most productive December in 15 years by enlisting 346 Soldiers daily into the World’s greatest #USArmy!” the Army wrote on X. “Our Recruiters have one of the toughest jobs – inspiring the next generation of #Soldiers to serve. Congratulations and keep up the great work! #BAYCB”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote, “In December 2024, the @USArmy had its best recruiting number in 12 years.”
“In January 2025, the Army hit its best recruiting number in 15 YEARS,” he noted. “BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong “America First” leadership of @realDonaldTrump.”
The Army is set to expand the number of recruits it can send to basic training, expecting to add 10 basic training units. The development will allow the Army to train up to 9,600 new recruits per year.
“Expanding basic training capacity is a result of successful recruiting efforts and the Future Soldier Preparatory Course,” Lt. Gen. David Francis, commander for the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, told Military.com. “This is a great problem to have as we continue to train the most capable and lethal soldiers for our Army.”
Last year, amid its then-recruitment crisis, the Army cut thousands of positions.
“Over the past year, the Army conducted a rigorous assessment of its force structure using a process known as Total Army Analysis,” reads a document from the Army. “Following extensive consultations with Congress, Army leaders are moving forward with a significant force structure transformation that will build on the modernization and organizational shifts of recent years.”
