Renewed patriotism and career opportunities fuel Army's biggest recruiting surge in years
Army has already reached its fiscal year 2026 active-duty recruiting goal months ahead of schedule, marking a dramatic turnaround after years of falling short as military leaders point to renewed patriotism, career opportunities and a growing sense of purpose among young Americans choosing to serve.Fox News was granted exclusive access inside Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest installations, where commanders and soldiers offered a firsthand look at what they say is driving the recruiting resurgence.Just a few years ago, the Army was struggling to meet its recruiting goals. After hitting a low in fiscal year 2022, recruiting has climbed every year since, rising nearly 38% overall, with the biggest jump coming in fiscal year 2025.
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Army has already reached its fiscal year 2026 active-duty recruiting goal months ahead of schedule, marking a dramatic turnaround after years of falling short as military leaders point to renewed patriotism, career opportunities and a growing sense of purpose among young Americans choosing to serve.Fox News was granted exclusive access inside Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest installations, where commanders and soldiers offered a firsthand look at what they say is driving the recruiting resurgence.Just a few years ago, the Army was struggling to meet its recruiting goals. After hitting a low in fiscal year 2022, recruiting has climbed every year since, rising nearly 38% overall, with the biggest jump coming in fiscal year 2025. This fiscal year, the Army has already met its active-duty recruiting goal with more than 61,500 future soldiers signing on for service.FIRST ON FOX: TRUMP TO OPEN DIRECT LINE WITH MILITARY FAMILIES IN GROUND-UP READINESS PUSHThe recruiting surge has been accompanied by another encouraging trend for Army leaders: retention goals are also being exceeded, with more soldiers choosing to continue their military careers.Among them is Infantryman Guadalupe Campos, who joined the Army when he was 18 years old and recently extended his service nearly six years later."I wanted to do my due diligence and service to my country," Campos told Fox News.TRUMP GIVES EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE TO FALLEN ARMY LT TYLER FEEHAN AFTER FLYING GRIEVING FAMILY ON AIR FORCE ONEFor Campos, serving in uniform has reinforced both his patriotism and the bonds formed alongside fellow soldiers."I love my country, I love America. This is our home, and we have, I mean, this is everything that we all have in common is this American flag that we fly on our right shoulder," he said.Campos said the Army brought together people from every walk of life, united by one common mission.TRUMP IS PROVING THAT THE WAY TO BETTER OUR MILITARY IS TO SECURE OUR SUPPLY CHAINS"A lot of the guys that I worked with, they come from a lot of parts of life, whether it’s good or bad.
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- Army has already reached its fiscal year 2026 active-duty recruiting goal months ahead of schedule, marking a dramatic turnaround after years of falling short as military leaders point to renewed patriotism, career opportunities and a growing sense of purpose among young Americans choosing to serve.Fox News was granted exclusive access inside Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest installations, where commanders and soldiers offered a firsthand look at what they say is driving the recruiting resurgence.Just a few years ago, the Army was struggling to meet its recruiting goals. After hitting a low in fiscal year 2022, recruiting has climbed every year since, rising nearly 38% overall, with the biggest jump coming in fiscal year 2025.
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Renewed patriotism and career opportunities fuel Army's biggest recruiting surge in years
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