With the wind in its sails, the U.S. Navy hit its recruiting goal for the 2025 fiscal year three months ahead of schedule, the service announced Wednesday.
“This is a critical time in history. The world is more complex and more contested than it has been in decades, and our ability to respond starts with our greatest asset: our people,” Navy Secretary John Phelan said in video message. “This milestone reflects more than numbers. It reflects the drive of our recruiters, the innovation of our team, and the courage of thousands of Americans who stepped forward to serve.”
According to Phelan, the branch successfully brought in at least 40,600 new sailors to help the Navy face its biggest “challenges ahead.” “To succeed,” the secretary said, “we must innovate, adapt, and move boldly.”
“Those in uniform today are sailing forward, and the next generation is already preparing to take the watch. To our newest sailors, welcome to the fleet,” he added.
Wednesday’s announcement is welcome news for the Navy, which, like other branches of the service, struggled to meet its recruiting goals under former President Joe Biden. Military specialists previously told The Federalist the problem could be attributed, in part, to the Biden administration’s embrace of “divisive and counterproductive” DEI policies, which they argued harms the force’s overall readiness and cohesion.
President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have since worked to gut such radical ideology from the force since the former’s return to office in January.
The Navy’s 2025 recruiting milestone was announced on the same day the Pentagon disclosed the creation of a Military Service Recruitment Task Force, which seeks to “ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to attract the brave men and women needed to address existing and emerging force requirements,” according to an agency press release. Authorized by Hegseth last week, the body will be co-chaired by the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness and the assistant to the secretary of defense for public affairs.
“The Department remains focused on rebuilding the military to support our evolving and critical national defense mission,” the Pentagon presser reads. “Strengthening recruiting efforts to deliver energized, engaged, and patriotic new warfighters is a fitting tribute to the historic 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps in 2025.”
In addition to the Navy, the Army also hit its FY2025 recruiting goals months early. Other branches similarly appear to be on track to hit their respective targets, according to past statements by military officials.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
