The U.S. Marines announced they surpassed their fiscal year 2026 recruiting targets across all areas, enlisting over 31,000 new recruits. The military branch termed this a ‘historic, department-wide rebound’ in enlistments.
They recruited 31,250 new recruits, including 1,672 officers and 3,503 prior-service reserve Marines. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Walker M. Field stated that their success reflects the disciplined efforts of their recruiting teams and the commitment of young Americans choosing to serve the nation. Field praised the recruits for possessing the necessary physical, intellectual, and moral strengths to become Marines.
Despite acknowledging ongoing recruitment challenges, the Marines described the 2026 recruitment landscape as the most favorable in five years. This improvement is attributed to a higher number of applicants and strong retention rates. Last year, the Marines enlisted 30,536 active-duty and reserve Marines, slightly above the 30,501 enlisted in 2024.
Other military branches also met their recruiting goals. The Navy enlisted 45,112 new sailors, the Army recruited over 61,500 soldiers, and the Air Force brought in 31,950 airmen along with 730 Space Force Guardians.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a day off for all U.S. troops to vote in the 2026 midterm elections, aiming to maintain a nonpartisan Pentagon.
Hegseth also instructed the Defense Department to prioritize the development and deployment of anti-drone defenses, identifying delays as operational risks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waived $320 million in military aid restrictions to Egypt, citing their assistance with Iran issues as crucial for U.S. national security.
Elsewhere, the FBI arrested a Department of Energy employee in Washington for attempting to support an Iranian-backed group in Yemen. The employee faced charges for allegedly trying to improve the group’s communications capabilities.
The Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over changes to overseas voting procedures, claiming the changes hinder voting registration.