Vaughn Cockayne | June 21, 2025
(The Washington Times) — The Navy has reached its 2025 recruitment goal three months ahead of schedule.
The Navy said it is prepared to send 40,600 new sailors to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes, Illinois, in September.
“More qualified and motivated Americans than ever are stepping forward and answering the call to serve their country,” Navy Secretary John C. Phelan said. “This is a critical time in history. The world is more complex and contested than it has been in decades, and our ability to respond starts with our greatest asset, our people. Since November, Navy recruiting has skyrocketed, a testament to President Trump’s leadership and the dedication of our dynamic Navy recruiters.”
The Navy also attributed its recruiting success to the establishment of the Recruiting Operations Center. Navy Recruiting Command established the center late last year to improve recruiter productivity and streamline the process.
“Reaching our annual goal this early is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our recruiting force,” Rear Adm. Jim Waters, commander of Navy Recruiting Command, said in a statement. “It shows that when we remove barriers, accelerate processes, and meet people where they are, the right individuals answer the call.”
The Navy surpassed its recruiting goal early last year, bringing in nearly 41,000 new sailors by the end of 2024.
The Army also surpassed its recruiting goals this year, enlisting more than 61,000 new soldiers in the first half of 2025.
Both branches’ recruitment successes are major wins for the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He has maintained that “woke” defense policies of the Biden administration had made the military unattractive to young people.
