The United States Marine Corps has successfully met its recruitment objectives for the fiscal year, a feat attributed to a steadfast commitment to the rigorous standards reminiscent of the Trump-era Pentagon.
This achievement saw the enlistment of 30,536 active duty and reserve recruits in fiscal year 2025, despite a deliberate moderation in recruitment to align with training capacities. The Marine Corps has long been celebrated for its stringent standards, a principle that War Secretary Pete Hegseth is eager to extend across all branches of the Armed Forces.
Lt. Gen. William Bowers emphasized the importance of maintaining these high standards, stating to the Associated Press, Everywhere Ive been in the country, the American people know the Marine Corps has very high standards and that we stick to them. If you try to appeal to everybody, you wont get the people you maybe really want.
According to Conservative Daily News, Hegseth has introduced a series of directives designed to enhance military standards, including mandatory physical training tests for generals twice annually and daily physical training for all soldiers. This initiative marks a significant effort by the Pentagon to elevate standards concerning combat roles, grooming regulations, and overall soldier conduct.
The Army and Air Force also achieved their recruitment goals ahead of schedule, reflecting a broader positive trend in military enlistment since the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Biden administration, recruitment across the Armed Forces faced challenges, with critics pointing to left-leaning policies as a deterrent for potential recruits.
In 2022, the Army notably missed its recruitment target by approximately 25%.
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