The military establishment thought they could outlast Donald Trump’s Pentagon picks.
But Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just proved them dead wrong.
And Pete Hegseth delivered one crushing victory that has the Democrats in full panic mode.
The Army reaches recruiting goals months ahead of schedule
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll dropped some fantastic news in a recent op-ed for The Wall Street Journal.
The U.S. Army hit its recruiting goal of 61,000 new recruits for fiscal year 2025 a full four months ahead of schedule.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect as the Army prepares to celebrate its 250th founding anniversary on June 14.
"Reaching this milestone wasn’t easy," Driscoll wrote. "The Army has faced challenges in recruiting and retaining talent in recent years. But thanks to the tireless work of Gen. Randy George, Lt. Gen. Johnny Davis, recruiters, drill sergeants and many others we’ve turned the tide."
This turnaround represents a complete reversal from the Biden years when military recruitment was in free fall.
The Army struggled throughout Biden’s administration, falling short of recruitment targets in multiple categories between fiscal years 2021 and 2024.
In 2022 alone, the Army missed its annual recruiting benchmark by a staggering 25 percent.
The recruiting crisis wasn’t limited to just the Army either.
Sagging recruitment plagued all branches of the armed forces under Biden as his administration’s left-wing policies actively discouraged potential recruits from serving their country.
Young Americans watched as Biden’s Pentagon prioritized woke ideology over military readiness and combat effectiveness.
Pete Hegseth’s leadership is making a difference
The dramatic improvement in Army recruitment didn’t happen by accident.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has made it crystal clear that his focus at the Pentagon is on regular warfighters and lethality as the Department of Defense’s top priorities.
Hegseth has delivered on that promise in recent weeks with concrete actions that show he values our troops.
He extended pay raises to Army paratroopers, moved to expand homeschooling options for military families, and worked to decrease the constant moving that military families have to endure.
But Hegseth doesn’t just talk the talk – he walks the walk.
The Defense Secretary regularly participates in physical training alongside rank-and-file troops, showing that he’s willing to lead by example.
This kind of authentic leadership resonates with young Americans who are considering military service.
They can see that the Pentagon is now focused on what matters most – preparing our military to fight and win wars.
The Army is getting back to basics
The Army recently made another important change that signals a return to common sense.
In April, the service announced new fitness guidelines to create equal standards for men and women in combat roles to increase combat readiness.
The changes took effect on June 1 and are projected to be fully implemented in 2026.
This move represents a dramatic shift away from the social engineering that characterized the Biden years.
Instead of lowering standards to achieve political goals, the Army is now raising standards to achieve military objectives.
Driscoll also praised Congress for passing junior enlisted pay raises, housing improvements, healthcare initiatives, and child-care and spousal assistance in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025.
These improvements show that the Trump administration and Republican Congress are serious about taking care of our troops and their families.
A celebration 250 years in the making
The Army’s recruiting success comes at a perfect time as the service prepares for a historic celebration.
Washington, D.C. will host a massive June 14 military parade to celebrate the Army’s 250th founding anniversary.
According to WTOP, the procession is expected to include 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, tanks, and 50 helicopters.
The parade will also feature a jet flyover and the famous "Golden Knights" paratroopers.
It’s fitting that the Army will celebrate this milestone with such strong recruiting numbers.
After years of decline under Biden, our military is finally getting the respect and support it deserves.
"These men and women could have chosen any path in a country full of opportunity. Instead, they chose to serve their country. I can think of no nobler calling," Driscoll wrote.
The Army’s recruiting success proves that when you treat our military with respect and focus on their core mission, young Americans will answer the call to serve.
This is what happens when you put America First instead of woke ideology first.