President Donald Trump not only recorded the number of recruits during his speech to a joint Congress session, but also promoted the slump from the US military.
“The heart is difficult. It's bad. It's gone. It's gone, and we feel so good about it, right? Don't we feel our service members won't become activists or ideologues? They'll become fighters and warriors. They'll fight for our country,” he said.
Trump thanked Defense Secretary Pete Hegses, saying, “He's not a big part of the awakened movement. I can tell you, I know him well.”
Trump also promoted record recruiting for the Army.
“We are happy to report in January that the US Army had the best recruitment month of 15 years and that all armed services have one of the best recruitment results in our history of services. What a difference,” he said.
He noted the number of bad recruits during the Biden administration:
It was only a few months ago that the outcome was completely the opposite. I couldn't take it anywhere. We were unable to recruit. Now we have the best results for what we have ever had. What a tremendous change. It's truly beautiful to see people love our country again. It's very easy. They love our country and love being in our army again. So that's great and thank you very much.
He was then surprised to see 17-year-old Jason Hartley enrolled at the US Military Academy, also known as West Point.
Hartley's father, grandfather and great grandfather were all in service. He lost his father, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy, when he was a juvenile, and wanted to continue his family's legacy of service.
Trump said Hartley is a high school senior and a six-letter varsity athlete with a 4.46 GPA.
“We're happy you let us know that your application has been accepted. You will soon be joining the cadet,” Trump announced. “Jason, you'll be on the long grey line.”
