Opinion : Big News: More Young Americans Signing Up to Serve

There’s some exciting news for our military, recruitment is on the rise! More and more young folks are stepping up to serve, and it’s a great sign that our country’s armed forces are bouncing back stronger than ever. With a new administration leading the way, enlistment numbers are climbing fast, showing that people are ready to be part of something bigger than themselves.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth couldn’t wait to share the good news, tweeting, “BREAKING: 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. BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong ‘America First’ leadership of @realDonaldTrump.”

For the Army, which had been struggling to bring in new recruits, this turnaround is a breath of fresh air. In December alone, nearly 350 new soldiers were signing up every day—a huge deal for a military that had been facing some serious challenges. It’s just the boost the Pentagon needed as it works to rebuild and strengthen our forces.

With world events keeping everyone on their toes, this surge in enlistment couldn’t come at a better time. Daniel Driscoll, President Trump’s pick for Army secretary, spoke about it during his confirmation hearing. “We have the fewest number of active soldiers since World War II, even as conflict is erupting around the world. We need to fix that,” he said. But instead of just throwing money at the issue, he believes it’s about inspiring people to serve their country. “I enlisted to serve, not for a paycheck,” he shared.

Many veterans and military supporters see this surge as proof that leadership and vision make all the difference. Retired Lt. General William Boykin shared his thoughts, saying, “I think we’ll see more young men and women joining up now that some of the distractions are gone, and they feel like their service truly matters again. With Donald Trump as commander in chief, they know the military is in good hands.”

Recent surveys show just how much this shift means to military families. While 69% of those surveyed felt that military service had been a positive experience, only 32% had been encouraging their kids to enlist. But now, with renewed purpose and a clear mission, that might start changing.

Representative Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.), a former Green Beret, has been watching these changes closely. “I think folks are realizing that real leadership is back,” he said. “And that’s making a big difference in why young people want to serve again.”

With tensions rising around the world, 83% of active-duty families believe a major conflict could be coming in the next few years. But one thing is clear—America’s military is ready to rise to the occasion. With record-breaking recruitment and a renewed sense of purpose, our country’s armed forces are showing the world that they’re back and stronger than ever.