Overview
- The Pentagon reports nearly 40% of its delayed entry program accession mission is already met early in fiscal 2026, describing a strong start.
- All five active-duty branches reached their fiscal 2025 targets, averaging 103% of mission: Army 62,050 (101.72%), Navy 44,096 (108.61%), Air Force 30,166 (100.22%), Space Force 819 (102.89%), Marine Corps 26,600 (100%).
- The fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act raises authorized active-duty end strength by about 26,100, including increases for the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, with the Marine Corps unchanged.
- Officials cite process changes such as a medical records accession pilot that cut Military Entrance Processing Station clearance waits from up to 10 days to about one day, as well as preparatory courses to improve test scores and fitness.
- A Defense Department inspector general report found the Army and Navy counted post-preparatory test scores rather than initial scores for some recruits, drawing scrutiny to aptitude reporting.