WASHINGTON — In a remarkable display of enthusiasm for military service, the National Guard has exceeded its recruiting goals for fiscal year 2025, contributing to a broader trend of increased enlistment across the U.S. military forces.
Since November 2024, the War Department has reported its most successful recruiting performance in three decades, with fiscal year-to-date accessions reaching 106% of the Army’s active-duty targets by the end of August.
The combined enlistment efforts of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard have brought in nearly 50,000 new members this fiscal year, driving total National Guard end strength to over 433,000.
This achievement not only surpasses each component’s goals but also signifies one of the most fruitful recruiting years in more than ten years.
“Young Americans are eager to serve,” stated Air Force Gen. Steve Nordhaus, National Guard Bureau chief. “Today’s recruits seek long-term value, and the National Guard provides this through career training and hands-on experience in over 200 career specialties.”
Gen. Nordhaus highlighted the unique position of the National Guard, which delivers approximately 20% of the joint military force while utilizing only 4% of the Department of Defense budget.
He emphasized the core missions of the National Guard, which include defending the homeland, supporting military engagements, building partnerships, and assisting warfighters and their families, necessitating a diverse set of skills.
Further addressing the current recruitment climate, he mentioned that the National Guard aligns with the Interim National Defense Strategy Guidance, which emphasizes homeland defense, deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region, and collaboration with allies and partners.
Gen. Nordhaus also pointed out that the guard plays a crucial role in President Donald Trump’s vision of “peace through strength” and aligns with Secretary Pete Hegseth’s initiatives to restore the military ethos and bolster deterrence.
The excitement among recruits is palpable, demonstrating their desire to actively contribute.
In March, the Army National Guard unveiled a new marketing campaign aimed at attracting young individuals to part-time military service. The campaign titled “Uncommon is Calling” showcases the dual lives of guardsmen who manage civilian careers alongside their essential roles during national emergencies and crises.
The campaign not only highlights unique opportunities for both personal and professional growth within the guard but also aims to change perceptions about serving.
Bruno DaSilva, an Army Specialist with the 1060th Transportation Company in the Massachusetts National Guard, expressed his own reasons for enlisting.
DaSilva shared, “Outside of the National Guard, I have my own company … I’m in the insurance business. In the National Guard, I can serve my country and run my business at the same time.”
Emphasizing the effectiveness of the campaign, Army Col. Timothy Smith, head of the Army National Guard’s Strength Maintenance Division, stated that a refreshed branding strategy enhances awareness regarding the opportunities available within the Army National Guard.
“The branding refresh of ‘Uncommon is Calling’ brings a fresh perspective to the unique dual mission of the Army National Guard,” he added. “It highlights the most uncommon, exciting, and meaningful part-time job out there: serving in the Army National Guard.”
Private Ethan Walling, who joined the Virginia National Guard as a motor transport operator, articulated his motivations for enlisting.
Walling mentioned, “It has always been my dream to be in the military. Since I was 7 years old, I would play with my miniature Army men, and I told my mom that I was going to join one day. After talking with a National Guard recruiter and learning about the federal and state benefits, I knew that the guard was my calling.”
For Walling, his service in the guard has instilled a sense of purpose, pride, and opportunity as he anticipates how this journey will shape his future.
“The National Guard has been nothing short of a family since the beginning, and I believe I have found the perfect balance between serving my country, supporting my community, and pursuing my personal goals,” he said.
In addition to targeted marketing, Col. Smith praised the dedication of recruiters across all 54 states, territories, and Washington, whose efforts are vital to the success of recruitment initiatives.
“Our recruiters’ dedication across the 54 drives this success,” he stated. “Their hard work is the foundation of our readiness. The organization has prioritized recruiting and end strength because our ability to meet mission requirements depends on filling these roles.”
The Army National Guard has successfully surpassed 328,000 Soldiers in end strength, meeting the authorized number necessary to fulfill mission demands.
In addition to traditional recruitment, Smith pointed out the effectiveness of the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course, which offers focused academic and fitness training to recruits aspiring to meet Army standards. This program serves as a bridge to basic training and subsequent unit assignments, with nearly 7,000 National Guard recruits entering basic training via this course thus far.
In March, both Gen. Nordhaus and Senior Enlisted Advisor John Raines visited the Future Soldier course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to engage with National Guard trainers and trainees.
Raines emphasized the inclusive nature of the Army, stating, “We’re a team of teams, and we need every committed American who wants to serve, even if they aren’t meeting the standards when they make that decision. This program aids them in reaching their potential and ensures we have qualified Soldiers in our ranks since the standards won’t change.”
Moreover, Raines commended the Army National Guard’s Recruit Sustainment Program, initiated in the mid-2000s, designed to minimize attrition and better prepare recruits for basic combat training and advanced individual training.
Recruiting and retention battalions throughout the country operate sustainment program sites across all states, territories, and Washington.
“Everybody has a place in the National Guard,” Raines asserted. “We will find you a place where you can serve your community, your state, your territory or district, and our nation.”
In addition to the Army National Guard’s achievements, the Air National Guard also surpassed its recruitment targets and is on track to exceed 105,000 airmen by the end of the fiscal year.
Air Force Col. Daniel Curtin, the Air National Guard’s Recruiting and Retention director, attributed recent success to multiple factors at play.
Curtin explained, “It’s a lot of things. We’ve experienced 19 consecutive months of year-over-year growth in new accessions. The recruitment environment is robust, and we have diligently worked to establish a culture of excellence and opportunity that resonates with potential recruits.”
To optimize their operations, the Air National Guard is working towards centralizing recruitment efforts within each state, territory, and Washington.
Historically, recruitment operational alignment varied, with some units operating under a wing or a force support squadron, while others functioned beneath a state’s joint forces headquarters. Under the new structure, Air National Guard recruiting headquarters will function as distinct flights or squadrons focused exclusively on recruitment and retention.
Curtin emphasized that a key objective is the establishment of a centralized recruitment structure, where a single officer will be responsible for the recruiting force in their respective location.
“This allows for streamlined operations and better structure,” he noted. “It’s arguably the most important change we’re implementing as it enables us to achieve more in recruitment.”
In fiscal year 2025, the strategic commitment to invest in personnel and infrastructure will include funding 150 temporary recruiting support roles and 210 temporary unit manning document positions.
Curtin stated, “These roles have been vital in enhancing our recruiting efforts, including production, marketing, medical support, training, and administrative efficiency. By strengthening the recruiting command structure and allocating targeted resources, the Air National Guard has created a solid foundation that has directly supported our record-enrollment achievements.”
As the fiscal year progresses, Gen. Nordhaus expressed optimism about recruitment numbers but cautioned that maintaining this momentum is crucial.
“The source of our strength is the formidable deterrence provided by our warfighter talent — the men and women of the National Guard,” he concluded.
“While we have succeeded and exceeded our recruiting goals this year, we cannot afford to complacently rest on our laurels. We must continue to recruit the next generation of elite warfighters while ensuring we retain our most skilled Soldiers and airmen.”
Related Links:
The Official Website of the National Guard | NationalGuard.mil
The National Guard on Facebook | Facebook.com/TheNationalGuard
image source from：army
