Army Sees Surge in Female Recruits as Male Recruitment Continues to Lag
For the first time in several years, the Army achieved its ambitious recruiting goals, and it’s primarily due to an increase in female recruits. According to internal service data, nearly 10,000 women signed up for active duty in 2024, an 18% jump from the previous year. In contrast, male recruitment increased by only 8%. This trend continues a years-long pattern where Army recruiting has struggled with men, while female recruitment numbers have remained strong.
One reason for this disparity is that women are more likely to have a clean record, with only 30% of juvenile arrests, compared to 60% of men. Additionally, women are outpacing men in higher education, with nearly half of women aged 25 to 34 holding bachelor’s degrees, compared to 37% of men.
Despite the increase in female recruits, the Army’s recruiting strategy has not significantly changed. Public-facing social media and ad campaigns still predominantly feature men, particularly in speaking roles. However, experts argue that this is not about pandering to women, but rather creating a professional environment that accesses the best talent and values pursuing women.
The data also shows that applicants with college backgrounds are becoming increasingly important. Nearly 5,000 new recruits who enlisted in the service last year had higher education, a 14% increase from 2023. College-level degrees are becoming more expected among enlisted troops, particularly as they advance through leadership ranks.
However, the Army’s biggest recruiting challenge is finding eligible male candidates. Academic standards have become a major barrier for recruits, with many failing to meet the minimum requirements for enlistment. The Army requires a high school diploma, and many roles demand strong scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which many applicants struggle with.
In response, the Army has started the Future Soldier Preparatory Course, a pre-basic training camp that takes otherwise ineligible applicants and gets them up to speed for service. The majority of these recruits are men, highlighting the struggles male candidates face.
As more women enlist and become eligible for leadership roles, it’s clear that the Army will need to adapt its recruiting strategy to meet the changing needs of the service.