The U.S. Coast Guard achieved significant recruitment success in fiscal year 2025, bringing in a total of 5,204 active-duty enlisted personnel. This figure, which surpasses the service’s goal of 4,300 recruits, marks the highest number of enlisted personnel recruited since 1991. According to a release from the Coast Guard, this achievement underscores a growing interest among Americans to join the service.
Adm. Kevin Lunday, acting commandant of the Coast Guard, expressed pride in this accomplishment, stating, “More Americans want to serve in the Coast Guard than ever before. We aren’t just growing – we are bringing in the best talent from across the United States and building the workforce of the future.” This success follows a strong recruitment year in 2024, when the Coast Guard added 4,422 new active-duty enlisted members.
Record Numbers and Strategic Expansion
In addition to the enlisted personnel, the Coast Guard commissioned 371 new officers in fiscal year 2025, achieving the highest officer recruitment target in its recorded history. The service also recruited 777 reservists, exceeding its goal of 750 and marking the third consecutive year of meeting its reserve recruitment objectives.
To sustain this momentum, the Coast Guard opened seven new recruiting offices in key locations, including Miami, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, Long Island, Austin, Grand Rapids, and Davenport. This strategic expansion aims to enhance the Coast Guard’s visibility and accessibility to potential recruits.
Transformative Plans for the Future
The Coast Guard’s recruitment achievements come in the context of an overall transformation plan known as Force Design 2028. Introduced by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in May, this initiative aims to create a “stronger, more ready, and capable fighting force.” An executive report from the Coast Guard outlines ambitious plans to establish the first Coast Guard service secretary, reform contracting and acquisitions, leverage advanced technology, and eliminate outdated programs.
The report also highlights a goal to increase the military workforce by 15,000 personnel by fiscal year 2028, reflecting the Coast Guard’s commitment to enhancing its operational capacity in the years ahead.
As the U.S. Coast Guard celebrates its recruitment successes, it remains focused on building a robust and capable military force to meet future challenges and serve the American public effectively.
