News brief

Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Space Force to meet recruiting goals. The results represent a slight uptick in young people joining the military, following several very difficult years and a swath of new programs and enticements. The services had struggled to overcome severe restrictions on in-person recruiting mandated by the COVID-19 pandemic, low unemployment, and stiff competition from private companies offering higher pay or better benefits. Military leaders say they’ll still face tough challenges and must keep transforming their recruiting methods. The Navy is the only service that won’t hit its goal this year but will come very close.

The U.S. armed forces face recruiting shortfalls. Many potential recruits want to serve but don’t qualify. The Department of Defense has a plan to lift them up and make them soldiers.