Marines exceed 2026 recruiting goals

The Hill · C · trust 40/100

The U.S. Marines said they exceeded their fiscal year 2026 recruiting goals across every component and category, enlisting over 31,000 new recruits. The Marines brought in 31,250 new recruits, 1,672 officers and 3,503 prior-service reserve Marines in what the service branch called a “ historic, department-wide rebound ” in military enlistments. “Our success this year is a testament to the disciplined execution of our elite recruiting force on the streets of America,” Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walker M. Field, Marine Corps Recruiting Command commanding general, said in a statement on Thursday. “Likewise, it is emblematic of the legion of young Americans who are choosing, of their own volition, to serve this great nation of ours,” Field said. “The few young Americans who earn the title of Marine espouse the rare trifecta of physical, intellectual and moral fortitude to become elite warriors.” While the Marines said the recruiting duty remains “challenging,” the 2026 landscape was the “ most favorable ” in the last five years, driven by “high” volume of interested applicants and “historically strong retention rates” across the Corps. Last year, the Marines recruited 30,536 active-duty and reserve enlisted Marines, just above 30,501 enlisted in 2024. Other service branches all hit their recruiting goals for this year. The Navy added 45,112 new sailors , while the Army brought in over 61,500 soldiers. The Air Force enlisted 31,950 airmen and 730 Space Force Guardians. Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Filip Timotija — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that all U.S. troops will get one day off in October to vote in the 2026 midterm elections. Hegseth said the stand-down order will be executed by Oct. 15 and will continue in even-numbered election years as part of a new and “apolitical” Pentagon “with all the right priorities.” “Under the leadership of President Trump, we’re upholding things that are central to ... (NewsNation) — The Pentagon is emphasizing development and deployment of anti-drone weapons and defenses, according to a new memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that was shared in part to NewsNation. The memo instructs the Defense Department to treat delays in the employment of counter-unmanned aircraft systems as an “operational risk.” “This memorandum directs the Department to accept prudent risks, ... WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio has waived a restriction on $320 million in military aid to Egypt that had been previously withheld over human rights concerns, citing Egypt’s help in dealing with Iran since the conflict began earlier this year. The State Department said Thursday that Rubio had signed off on the waiver “in the interest of U.S. national security.” “The Secretary’s determination reflects ... The FBI arrested a Department of Energy (DOE) employee Thursday at the Hanford, Wash., nuclear site under suspicion of trying to aid the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist group in Yemen, according to the Justice Department. Ashton Hamed Ellaboudy, 51, of Richland, Wash., was charged with “attempting to provide material support or resources to the Houthis” after he tried to help the group improve its communications capabilities, ... Trump administration’s quiet move makes it harder for some US citizens abroad to vote, lawsuit says The Democratic National Committee on Thursday filed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump’s administration secretly changed a postcard used by U.S. citizens overseas in a way that makes it harder to register to vote. The lawsuit contends that the Department of Defense made the change ... Trump’s motorcade neared 100 mph en route to Oklahoma after helicopter, airplane ruled out President Trump’s motorcade put the pedal to the metal Thursday as stormy weather in the South spurred the president to drive from rallies in Texas ... Read more Trump says he regrets nominating Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett President Trump revealed in an interview published Thursday that he regrets nominating conservative Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy ... Read more Check out The Hill’s Defense page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view all our topical emails here 📩 400 N. Capitol St. NW Suite 950, Washington, DC 20001

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