FIRST ON FOX: US Coast Guard recruits largest class in nearly 40 years, beats goals for third straight year

FIRST ON FOX: The U.S. Coast Guard recruited its largest enlisted class in nearly four decades during fiscal year 2026, surpassing its recruiting goals for the third consecutive year as the service works to expand its ranks.

According to the Coast Guard, 5,445 active-duty members enlisted in fiscal year 2026, up from 5,204 in 2025 and 4,422 in 2024.

The service also commissioned 346 active-duty officers, the second-highest total in its history.

"These record-breaking recruitment numbers prove that the call to serve still resonates deeply across our country," Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.

"I am incredibly proud to stand beside these new Coast Guard men and women who have stepped up to defend our homeland," he continued. "They represent the very best of who we are, and we are going to make sure they have the tools, the training and the support to get the job done."

During fiscal year 2026, the Coast Guard expanded its recruiting efforts, opening four recruiting offices in Miami, Florida; Long Island, New York; Austin, Texas; and the Netherlands.

Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Tom Allan said the numbers reflect growing interest in serving.

"We surpassed our recruiting goals because Americans are ready and willing to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard, conducting exciting missions that deliver results our Nation needs," Allan said.

"This momentum is about more than numbers; it is about being the world’s best Coast Guard and building the workforce America needs," he added. "We are proud to welcome our newest members and grateful to our recruiters for continuing to deliver exceptional results."

The service is also investing in new infrastructure to help train its expanding workforce.

The Coast Guard awarded a $400 million contract to modernize Training Center Cape May in New Jersey, marking the largest shore construction award in the service's history.

The facility serves as the Coast Guard's sole basic training center for enlisted recruits, and the improvements are intended to accommodate its growing workforce.

The recruitment gains come as the Coast Guard pursues a modernization initiative known as Force Design.

Among the initiative's goals is to expand the Coast Guard's military workforce by at least 15,000 members by the end of fiscal year 2028 to support an expanding fleet and growing mission demands.