Air Force Recruiting Service hits fiscal 2026 recruiting targets

The Air Force Recruiting Service said it met its fiscal 2026 goals, enlisting 31,950 U.S. Air Force Airmen and 730 U.S. Space Force Guardians, and credited the results to steady performance across recruiting squadrons rather than any single program.

“Our recruiters did what they do every year–they worked the mission every day,” said Col. Lacresha Merkle, AFRS commander. “Hitting the number is the expectation, and our recruiters delivered.”

AFRS oversees enlisted and officer accessions for both the Air Force and Space Force. Recruiters operate out of squadrons nationwide, guiding applicants through the Delayed Entry Program before they depart for Basic Military Training. The service supports a broad array of career fields, from traditional Air Force specialties to Space Force operations.

Planning for fiscal 2027 is underway, with recruiting strategies being adjusted in response to labor market conditions, propensity-to-serve data, and demand signals across career fields.

“Meeting the mission isn’t the finish line–it’s the baseline we build on,” Merkle said. “Every applicant who signs that contract trusts us with their future, and our recruiters carry that responsibility into every conversation, every single day.”

Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, AFRS manages accessions across the total force. Those interested in full- or part-time opportunities can visit www.AirForce.com or www.SpaceForce.com.