The US Army has already met its fiscal year 2026 active-duty recruiting target months ahead of schedule, marking a sharp turnaround after several years of falling short. Military leaders attribute the surge to a renewed sense of patriotism among young Americans, along with growing interest in the career opportunities the Army offers, and say it reflects a broader shift in how young people view military service.

Fox News was given exclusive access to Fort Hood, one of the Army's largest bases, where commanders and soldiers described what they see as driving the recruitment rebound. The report notes that only a few years ago the Army was struggling significantly to meet its recruiting goals, making this year's early success a notable reversal for a service that had faced persistent shortfalls.