Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has voiced concerns about the fitness and educational levels of young Americans, telling military recruiters that many are “too fat” or “too dumb” to serve. Hegseth made these remarks at the Pentagon on Thursday, even as he acknowledged recent positive recruitment trends across military branches. He elaborated that a significant portion of potential recruits struggle due to factors such as poor education, criminal records, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Despite these criticisms, Hegseth credited the policies of the Trump administration, including a “warrior dividend” bonus program, for a recent surge in enlistments. He suggested that young Americans are drawn to a military focused on “war-fighting” rather than what he termed a “woke institution.” This statement aligns with his broader emphasis on physical readiness, evident in his past challenges and speeches advocating for stricter fitness standards.

However, the trend of improved recruitment began before the Trump administration took office. In a notable turnaround from fiscal year 2022, when the Army significantly missed its targets, all service branches successfully met their recruitment goals by the end of fiscal year 2024. This recovery is attributed to a combination of factors, including the receding pandemic and a renewed presence of recruiters in educational institutions.

Furthermore, specialized programs like the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course have played a crucial role. This initiative assists aspiring recruits in improving their academic and physical fitness scores to meet the necessary qualifications for service. The momentum has carried forward, with the military experiencing its highest level of enlisted accessions in fifteen years.

The Pentagon announced on Thursday that military branches once again achieved their recruitment targets for fiscal year 2025, which concluded in September. This success mirrors encouraging signs seen by the Border Patrol, which is also training a record number of recruits. This period marks a significant positive shift from previous recruitment challenges.

While the Trump administration has provided substantial funding and bonuses to immigration agencies like the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support deportation efforts, reports indicate struggles in meeting recruiting goals. The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly facing difficulties in recruiting the 10,000 individuals needed for early next year, with new hires failing to meet physical fitness requirements.

Read Original

Keywords: Pete Hegseth, military recruiting, physical fitness, education standards, US defense, Pentagon, enlistment numbers, Trump administration policies