WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) discussed the increase in military recruitment numbers following the November 5th, 2024 election of President Trump with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth budget before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC):
Click the image above for the full questioning
For the first five months of President Trump’s term, Army recruitment has gone up 26% and Navy recruitment has gone up 47% compared to the same time under President Biden. Under President Trump, Army met and beat its yearly (12-month) recruitment and retention goals in 8 months. Additionally, The Air Force announced it expects to meet its recruitment goals for the year later this month in June. Under President Biden, the U.S. Army fell short by over 15,000 soldiers annually for several years. That has now been fixed thanks to President Trump.
Key Excerpts:
Senator Jim Banks: “Prior to President Trump’s election, the military was struggling with the worst recruitment crisis in 50 years. That all seemed to have changed overnight, on one specific day. The chart shows it, the Army doubled its recruitment from November of 2024 up to the previous November. The Navy, the same thing, the Navy’s recruitment skyrocketed 80% from November of 2024 to the previous year. Mr. Secretary, what changed?”
Secretary Pete Hegseth: “There was an election, sir…. Leadership matters, sir. Belief in your country matters. Having the back of your troops matters. Setting a clear mission matters. Ensuring that if your troops are used for a clear, defined mission. It’s funding them properly, it’s giving them the proper authorities to execute. Americans watch what happens with their political and military leadership, and with President Trump they understand that they have a Commander-in-chief that has their back, that loves the country, that loves them.”
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Sen. Banks: “Mr. Secretary, I have never seen a Secretary that is so in-tune with our soldiers, our sailors, our airmen and marines as you. You’ve gone out and, you’re visiting with them, you’re talking to them every single day. What kind of stories are you hearing? Especially from our newest recruits? What are they telling you specifically about why it matters?”
Sec. Hegseth: “Well, I will start with those who are re-enlisting or who have been there for a while who say it’s all changed. The entire environment has changed. The morale, the spirit, they feel the change. They feel it. They feel the idea that if I’m given a job to do, I’ll be given everything necessary to do it. I’ll be given the authorities to do it. I’m not being micromanaged. I know that my Commander will have my back. And then the young people, it’s just excitement about the possibility of serving under President Trump. Being a part of something greater than themselves and knowing that in the White House they’ve got a Commander who will defend their interests.”
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Sec. Hegseth: “Senator, you make a great point. Every American wants to be treated like an individual. Not because they’re black or white, or male or female, or rich or poor, or because they’re some calculation of what we need less of or more of. But simply can you rise to the challenge of this job: of service to your nation. That challenge inspires young people, and that’s what we’ve seen.”
Sen. Banks: “I think the Commander-in-Chief matters. Mr. Secretary, you matter. General, you matter. Thank you for your leadership. The facts speak for themselves. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.”