The U.S. military closed fiscal year 2025 with its  strongest recruiting performance in 15 years though the natural instinct to keep momentum remains a flashpoint for all service branches. All active-duty branches met or exceeded goals last year,  averaging 103% across the services. The Marine Corps  hit its target precisely , bringing in thousands of high-quality recruits while maintaining rigorous standards. As Fiscal Year 2026 begins with another strong start, the question shifts from