Thanks again to Karl Priest for suggesting this Post.

While the Trump administration has been cutting numerous government positions, one agency continues to actively recruit: the U.S. military. This marks a turning point, signaling that the era of the Biden administration is fading. Young Americans, eager to enlist, have sent recruitment numbers soaring to heights not seen since World War II. It’s clear that voters aren’t the only ones ready to swap a commander focused on progressive agendas for one who embodies strength and resolve.

The surge in sign-ups was hailed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who shared on Twitter: “BREAKING: In December 2024, the @USArmy achieved its best recruitment numbers in 12 years. In January 2025, we saw the Army’s best numbers in 15 YEARS. BOTTOM LINE: America’s youth want to serve under the bold & strong ‘America First’ leadership of @realDonaldTrump.”

Since the election, local recruitment offices have seen an influx of new recruits. The Army, which has struggled with retention in recent years, reported signing up nearly 350 soldiers daily in December. After falling short of recruitment goals by 41,000 in 2023, the Pentagon welcomed this burst of new enlistees. Army officials celebrated the effort, noting, “Our recruiters face one of the toughest jobs—motivating the next generation of soldiers to serve. Congratulations and keep up the great work! #BAYCB.”

The timing of this surge couldn’t be more crucial, as President Trump’s nominee for Army Secretary, Daniel Driscoll, emphasized. “We have the fewest active soldiers since World War II, and conflicts are escalating worldwide. We need to address this,” Driscoll stated at his confirmation hearing. Unlike the Biden administration’s approach of increasing incentives and lowering standards, Driscoll believes that such measures don’t attract the right kind of recruits. “More money won’t solve the issue. GI Bill benefits are nice, but I didn’t join for that—I enlisted to serve my country.”

This aligns with criticism voiced by some of Biden’s opponents. They argue that the current generation of young Americans wasn’t motivated by the culture wars waged by the previous administration. Instead of focusing on building a warrior class, the last commander-in-chief seemed preoccupied with issues like drag shows on military bases, critical race theory, gender transition surgeries, and perceived global weakness.

“It doesn’t surprise me that recruitment numbers are up,” said Lt. General (Ret.) William Boykin in an interview with The Washington Stand. “I believe this trend will continue as young men and women are now drawn to the military under the leadership of Donald Trump. DEI policies are gone, and there’s no pressure to take vaccinations. The military under Trump represents strength and determination, which appeals to America’s youth.”

This recruitment surge comes on the heels of the Military Family Lifestyle Survey, which painted a grim picture of service life during the final year of the Biden administration. The survey, conducted between March and May of 2024, included responses from over 5,000 active-duty personnel, National Guard members, Reservists, veterans, and their families. Among the findings, 69% of respondents agreed that military service added value to their lives, but only 32% would recommend it to a younger family member. Furthermore, only 19% of active-duty families felt that the American public truly appreciated their sacrifices.

One key issue raised was the widespread belief that conflict is on the horizon. A staggering 83% of active-duty families and 67% of the general public fear that the U.S. is on the brink of global war in the next few years. Survey authors highlighted the urgent need to better support troops and their families in preparation for potential crises.

Freshman Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC), a former Green Beret, has strongly criticized the Biden administration’s decisions, particularly the withdrawal from Afghanistan, which he believes set the stage for future conflicts. “Watching Afghanistan fall made me realize that we were condemning the next generation of Americans to war,” he said during an appearance on Washington Watch. “The withdrawal showed America’s weakness to the world, and it emboldened our enemies.”

Harrigan sees the military’s renewed vigor under Trump’s leadership as a direct response to this weakness. “Young men and women are ready to join the military again because they now believe in its mission,” he said. “The leadership is back, and America’s youth are eager to serve under strong, purposeful leadership.”

Perkins, a Marine Corps veteran, agreed, stressing that many young people want to serve, but only if there’s a clear, meaningful cause. “What happened in Afghanistan was disastrous, and it left many questioning the point of serving. They want to fight for something greater than social agendas,” he added.

Harrigan also made a spiritual connection, noting that many Americans with a Biblical worldview might have questioned what they were fighting for during the previous administration. “Before Trump, many asked: ‘Are we fighting for freedom, democracy, and the values that made this country great, or are we fighting for a social agenda?’” he observed. “Now, with Trump back in leadership, America is once again focused on what truly matters.”

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Under the Biden administration, to meet recruitment goals, there were adjustments in standards. For instance, the Army implemented the Future Soldier Preparatory Course to help those who didn’t initially meet academic or fitness standards. This program provided coaching to bring potential recruits up to the required level for enlistment. There were also discussions and actions regarding lowering some physical and academic thresholds to broaden the recruitment pool.