The US Navy has met its active-duty recruiting goal for fiscal year 2025 more than three months ahead of schedule, contracting 40,600 future Sailors as of 18 June, according to a statement released by the service.
The milestone places the Navy on track to send all 40,600 contracted individuals to Recruit Training Command by the end of the fiscal year in September. Officials credited a sustained effort to modernise recruiting operations and remove procedural barriers.
“More qualified and motivated Americans than ever are stepping forward and answering the call to serve their country,” said Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. “This is a critical time in history. The world is more complex and contested than it has been in decades, and our ability to respond starts with our greatest asset, our people.”
Recruiting performance in 2025 builds on last year’s results, when the Navy exceeded its goal by 378 contracts, reaching a total of 40,978, the highest number since 2002.
Rear Adm. Jim Waters, commander of Navy Recruiting Command, said that changes introduced over the past year were key to the success. These included the establishment of a Recruiting Operations Center to track progress in real time, the introduction of the Future Sailor Preparatory Course, and reforms to medical waiver processing.
“Reaching our annual goal this early is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our recruiting force,” Waters said. “It shows that when we remove barriers, accelerate processes, and meet people where they are, the right individuals answer the call.”
He added that recruiting efforts remain ongoing: “Meeting the recruiting target is not the finish line — it’s a signal that we’re on the right course and ready to keep building the force of the future.”
That’ll be the Maverick effect, again.
Could well be.
Which is why the lack of proper RN & RAF PR on the CSG is more than puzzling.
We do actually have a large number of supersonic jets on a nice very large modern aircraft carrier to show off!
OK it may not be 36 – or whatever the magic number – but it is still more frames than most countries possess and more 5th gen in one carrier than anyone has done before.
The original Top Gun film was credited with a surge in USN recruitment figures, that I can well believe. This latest surge may well be down to Tom Cruise too.
As for the UK/RN, yes, we are missing a trick but BBC is way too Woke to show such stuff and young folk seem to be more interested in Love Island.
There was a young person on here back when I first started posting, he told me off once then dissapeared, it would be interesting to see what he had to say (about RN recruitment not Love Island !)
“Young at heart”.
RN can post directly to TikTok or Insta or YouTube.
The BBC filter isn’t needed.
However, someone with an interest and passion is needed to make it clear there are only four countries any kind of carrier strike: US, UK, FR, CN and maybe Italy. JPN is trying to join the club with F35B.
The BBC reference was just a random one, as was the Love Island one.
RN recruitment like all other arms, seems to be more “Love Island than Top Gun” if you understand my gist.
(It’s my mindset, it confuses most people but It’s fine, I’m used to it now).
To be fair the BBC documentary “Warship: Tour of Duty” about CSG21 was brilliant and was well received on here..!
However, the lack of coverage and push from the MoD this time around is a serious missed opportunity. Someone has dropped the ball – again..!
Cheers CR
“The original Top Gun film was credited with a surge in USN recruitment figures, that I can well believe. This latest surge may well be down to Tom Cruise too.
As for the UK/RN, yes, we are missing a trick but BBC is way too Woke to show such stuff and young folk seem to be more interested in Love Island.”
Exactly this.
The US lauds, appreciates, and funds its fine military.
We do the opposite.
I strongly suspect they may not be vetting candidates which may compromise security given what is happening on the other side of the pond.
40,000 plus recruits in one year. That’s more than the entire Royal Navy (including the Royal Marines(?) ). Puts it all into perspective!
Cheers CR
A few years back I remember that the US Coast Guard had more ships than the entire RN.
Not sure if it’s still the case, I guess Tonnage also comes into things.