"40,600 future sailors have signed up to serve in our United States Navy," said Secretary Phelan in a video posted on X. "This is a critical time in history. War is more complex and more contested than it has been in decades, and our ability to respond starts with our greatest asset: our people."
Secretary Phelan attributed the rise in maritime recruitment to President Donald Trump's leadership and the dedication of US Navy recruiters, Fox News reported. The military branch has been focused on finding qualified and motivated candidates across the nation, as the country enters a new era under the Trump administration. Phelan said that recruiting began to "skyrocket" in November 2024, the month President Donald Trump was elected.
"This recruiting milestone is only the beginning because the challenges ahead are only growing. We're in a new era of warfare, where the battlefield extends from the seabed to space. To succeed, we must innovate, adapt, and move boldly," said Phelan.
This year's recruiting success for the Navy comes after the US Army made a similar statement earlier this month, announcing that it had exceeded its fiscal year 2025 recruiting targets four months ahead of schedule. The Army said it signed contracts with over 61,000 potential troops, a more than 10 percent increase from the 55,000 recruits targeted in fiscal year 2024.
Additionally, the US Coast Guard reported a spike in recruitment last month as well. More than 4,700 new members have joined the Coast Guard in fiscal year 2025, compared to the 1,200 new members reported for the same period the year prior, per Fox News.
Navy Secretary Phelan thanked President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for providing support that "has been instrumental in strengthening our US Navy and ensuring its readiness for the challenges ahead."
