Hegseth: Military Is ‘Already Surpassing’ Last Year’s Recruiting

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The U.S. military is “already surpassing” the recruiting numbers it saw during last year’s recruiting surge, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth disclosed on Monday.

The revelation came during a swearing-in ceremony for new recruits conducted in front of military recruiting stations in Newport News, Virginia. Hegseth officiated the oath for incoming members of the armed services, including new members of the Virginia National Guard.

While acknowledging the Biden-era recruiting crisis, Hegseth noted that the recruiting environment is “exceedingly different today than it was just a year ago following the election of President Trump and the changes we’re making at the War Department.” The secretary went on to reveal that “for this year that we’re entering into,” the military is “already surpassing” last year’s figures.

“We’re setting new records at the War Department of historic recruitment of men and women wanting to join the ranks, and you’re a part of that. So, congratulations,” Hegseth said.

The secretary did not provide specific numbers during his remarks.

Throughout his speech, Hegseth praised the new recruits for seeking to “be a part of something special” and their willingness to “raise their right hand to defend the Constitution and the country.” He further reaffirmed the Trump administration’s commitment to “do right by you” and “have your back.”

“You [can] have the best ships and planes and subs. Everything you would need. But ultimately, it’s not about platforms; it’s about people. It’s about those American warriors stepping up to answer the call,” Hegseth said.

The secretary would go on to echo similar sentiments when later speaking to sailors aboard the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), a Ford-class aircraft carrier undergoing construction at Newport News’ shipbuilding yard. The vessel is expected to be delivered to the Navy in spring 2027.

After having lunch with attending sailors, Hegseth noted the importance of he and his team being “on the ground” with service members to better “understand how to fix things and make your life better and be more effective at your mission.” The secretary went on to highlight the significance of mission readiness, which he tied into the U.S. military’s extraction of Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro from Caracas this past weekend.

“Platforms just like this one did some pretty incredible stuff on behalf of the American people just a few nights ago. Crews of that carrier and what they were capable of doing and the power that they were capable of projecting on behalf of the United States of America is something no other country in the world can do and not even close,” Hegseth said.

Hegseth said that the extraction (dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve”) falls within President Trump’s bid to “reestablish deterrence” — a key “pillar” of U.S. foreign policy and national security he noted was absent during the Biden administration. He contrasted the operation and other Trump-era led missions (strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, taking out drug smuggling boats, securing the U.S.-Mexico border) with foreign policy disasters under Biden (Afghanistan withdrawal, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Hamas’ attack on Israel) and declared that “the Monroe Doctrine is back and in full effect.”

“It shouldn’t be a surprise that our powerful warships are just as useful in our own hemisphere as they’ve been in the Middle East or Europe or around the globe for decades. I find a lot of pride in defending our own backyard,” Hegseth said. “We’re gonna put America first, we will establish peace through strength, and we’re gonna apply a lot of common sense along the way … And the last thing I’ll say [that] the president always wants me to mention is, from him to you, we have your back.”

Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He is a co-recipient of the 2025 Dao Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood