Personnel at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, got to break bread—or toast—during breakfast with the President and First Lady when Mr. and Mrs. Bush stopped over in Hawaii on Nov. 21 on their way back from Southeast Asia. In remarks, President Bush said: You belong to the finest Armed Forces the world has ever known. I appreciate the fact that you have volunteered to wear our uniform in these troubled times. … It’s an incredible country when people of character stand up and say, I want to serve something greater than my self interests.”
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.