The Department of the Air Force has reached its annual recruitment goal three months ahead of schedule.
“I am excited that both the Air Force and the Space Force have met their fiscal year 2025 recruiting goals three months early,” said Troy Meink, secretary of the Air Force. “The fact that we have even exceeded this goal and currently have a DEP (Delayed Entry Program) at its largest level in 10 years speaks to the vast number of volunteers interested in serving their country today. Congratulations to the recruiting service on ensuring we have the best talent ready to join the Department of the Air Force and defend this great nation.”
This year’s Delayed Entry Program has a pool of more than 14,000 recruits.
The Air Force Recruiting Service has approximately 2,200 recruiters operating in more than 1,275 recruiting offices nationwide and overseas. The Air Force Accessions Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is responsible for the service’s mission.
Nearly 25,000 of the 30,000 contracted recruits for the Air Force and Space Force have been sent to basic military training. The remainder will begin training by Sept. 30.
Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, applauded recruiters’ ability to overcome challenges.