It is at an all time high.
In recent months, more young Americans have joined the Air Force’s delayed-entry program, signaling an upward trend in recruiting after a long period of challenges. Brig. Gen. Christopher Amrhein, the head of the Air Force Recruiting Service, reported that the program, which helps prepare recruits before they begin basic training, has seen a significant increase in numbers. During the winter months, when recruitment typically slows, the program has experienced growth not seen in over 15 years. As of now, the delayed-entry pool has more than 13,800 future airmen and Guardians waiting to start their military training.
Amrhein highlighted that these positive trends follow years of policy adjustments aimed at addressing recruitment challenges. For example, changes such as relaxed body fat composition standards and allowing more flexibility with tattoos have contributed to the service’s improved recruiting performance. The Air Force managed to recruit over 27,000 airmen by the end of fiscal year 2024, with a notable increase in the delayed-entry program compared to the previous year. While some have attributed this recruitment boost to political changes, experts argue that the current success is more likely the result of efforts made over the past several years.
Although Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has pointed to the political administration as a factor in this increased interest in military service, Amrhein refrained from making any direct connections. However, he expressed optimism that the recruitment momentum would continue, as weekly production numbers have been consistently strong.
The Air Force has raised its recruitment goal for 2025, aiming to bring in 33,100 active-duty airmen. Amrhein also noted that the general willingness to serve has grown from 8% to 10% between 2023 and 2024, further indicating a promising trend for the service. While there are no immediate plans to change policies related to body fat standards, Amrhein affirmed that any future adjustments would be implemented as needed to maintain recruitment efforts.
