Predictions of a potentially bad recruiting year are being proved wrong as all the services meet or exceed their goals once again, according to the latest statistics from the Pentagon. The active Air Force and Air Force Reserve are even for the month of March, while the Air National Guard for a second month in a row attracted more than its goal for enlisted recruits, bringing in an additional 162.
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.