Army sees record recruitment under Trump as Defense Secretary Hegseth highlights renewed patriotism and morale.

Morale Shift Spurs Enlistment Gains

Military recruitment across all branches of the U.S. armed forces has surged under President Donald Trump, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Speaking from Normandy, France, on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, Hegseth attributed the increase to a renewed sense of patriotism and leadership that resonates with young Americans.

“It’s historic. Of course it’s a morale shift,” Hegseth said in a live interview. “It shifts back to the day President Trump was elected and then inaugurated.”

The Army alone has posted its strongest recruiting numbers in years, reaching 61,000 enlistees so far in fiscal year 2025—with four months still remaining. That figure represents a jump from 55,150 in fiscal 2024.

Hegseth noted that this growth extends beyond the Army. “It’s also the Air Force, it’s also the Navy, it is also the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and, as the president says, law enforcement,” he said. “Across the board, the spirit of our country [shows] a willingness and desire to serve.”

He emphasized that the uptick reflects more than just numbers. “They see leadership that believes in the country that’s going to have their back,” Hegseth explained. “We want you to be warriors. We’re not doing this politically correct garbage anymore. We’re doing warfighting. We’re training, we’re preparing, we’re focused on getting back to basics.”

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Present

Hegseth’s comments came as he joined ceremonies commemorating the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, a pivotal moment in World War II. He began the day with a physical training session alongside rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment on Omaha Beach, timed to coincide with the original D-Day landings.

“These men were willing to charge toward the guns with almost no chance of success, especially in those first waves, and they did it for us,” he said, honoring the courage of the American soldiers who fought there.

Earlier in the week, Hegseth paid tribute to veterans at Arlington National Cemetery, where he met World War II survivors who continue to embody the spirit of service decades after the war.

“The contrast of those 100-year-old World War II vets and then those 25-year-old Army Rangers that I did a workout with this morning – the blood of fighting for freedom still pumps in the veins of Americans,” he said. “We still raise those types, and that’s what was really cool to see.”

The defense secretary’s remarks underscore the administration’s focus on rebuilding military strength through both resources and morale. As recruitment continues to rise, officials hope the momentum carries forward in sustaining a ready, disciplined, and committed force for years to come.