The Air Force increased its recruiting bonuses in 2023 but subsequently reduced them in 2024, focusing on critical job roles such as munitions and aircraft maintenance.

All military branches, except the Navy, met their recruiting targets in 2024, and all are projected to achieve their goals for the current year.

The U.S. military has invested over $6 billion from 2022 to 2025 to recruit and retain service members amid declining enlistment numbers.

In recent years, the Army has spent more on recruiting bonuses than other branches, except in 2023 when the Navy surpassed Army spending due to significant enlistment shortfalls.

The Marine Corps has consistently met its recruiting goals, increasing retention bonuses significantly from $126 million in 2023 to $201 million in 2024 to encourage early reenlistment.

Facing its most significant recruiting challenges in a decade, the Army introduced the Future Soldier Prep Course in August 2022 to assist underperforming recruits, resulting in thousands of enlistments.

The Navy is focusing on retaining skilled sailors in critical roles like aviation and special operations, amid challenges in filling at-sea positions.

Financial incentives for military recruitment have been heightened due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on traditional recruiting activities.

Despite political claims linking recruitment rebounds to President Trump's election, the increase in enlistments is more closely tied to internal reforms and enhanced financial incentives.

The Marine Corps had to rely on delayed entry candidates in 2022, but has successfully maintained its recruiting goals through increased retention bonuses.

Military services are prioritizing recruitment and retention efforts for hard-to-fill roles in cyber, intelligence, and special operations, as well as combat positions.

Adm. James Kilby emphasized the Navy's commitment to retaining capable sailors, particularly in officer positions that face specific retention challenges.