Political speech, timestamped and in context

Pete Hegseth: “We're breaking decades-long records in recruiting.”

Featuring: Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense | National

BREAKING NEWS: War Secretary Pete Hegseth Addresses U.S. Air Force Academy

Published October 3, 2026

So the first part of this send me tour is showcasing you, and then the other part is showcasing the revived spirit of, of the War Department. It's no mistake that We're breaking decades-long records in recruiting. It's because young Americans look up at what you do and they want to be a part of it now. They appreciate the leadership, the strong leadership of President Trump and the vision that he has cast. (10:12–10:18)

STATEMENT

Asserts that military recruitment is at its highest in decades.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Pete Hegseth in this video

“The average age of new recruits who have signed up in the last couple of years is two to three years older than normal.”
Asserts that the average age of new military recruits has increased by two to three years.10:58-11:06
“80% of [the USS Abraham Lincoln] carrier strike group signed up to reenlist.”
Asserts that 80% of the USS Abraham Lincoln's carrier strike group reenlisted.12:00-12:06
“Two days into the fiscal year of 2028, the Marine Corps is already halfway to their recruiting goals.”
Asserts that the Marine Corps reached halfway to its recruiting goals two days into the fiscal year 2028.12:52-13:01
“Our republic has required the absolute best of us to stand up at an age before where they could have made any other decision and raise their right hand and say, send me.”
Asserts that the U.S. republic has historically required young people to volunteer for military service.02:07-02:21
“You are not in the 1776 business. We're defending the spirit of 1776 and the Declaration of Independence.”
Asserts that military personnel are tasked with defending the principles of the Declaration of Independence.03:37-03:45
“You men and women are in the 1775 business because there were men and women on those bridges in Lexington and Concord who stood up with a rifle and said, if we want to be free, we're going to have to defend it.”
Asserts that current military personnel are continuing the legacy of those who fought in the American Revolutionary War.03:44-03:59
“Since then we've had young Americans have said, send me to fight the Redcoats, send me to fight the communists, send me to fight the Nazis, send me to fight the Islamists.”
Asserts that American military history includes fighting against British forces, communists, Nazis, and Islamists.04:15-04:29
“It gives you a tiny sense of the depth of the sacrifice that is required to keep us free.”
Asserts that significant sacrifices are necessary to maintain American freedom.06:03-06:10
“Reenlistment rates are at highest rates in decades.”
Asserts that military reenlistment rates are at their highest in decades.12:05-12:10
“Recruiting in the United States military at the Department of War is a decades-long record.”
Asserts that U.S. military recruiting is at a record high.12:10-12:26
“The Marine Corps smashed its recruiting records.”
Asserts that the Marine Corps has exceeded its previous recruiting records.12:34-12:37
“An autonomous warfare command, a new combatant command that will focus on autonomy, robotics and AI.”
Asserts the creation of a new combatant command focused on autonomy, robotics, and AI.14:37-14:45
“We're doing a launch the Future of Warfare initiative where we're looking around the corner 5, 10, 15, 20 years.”
Asserts the launch of the Future of Warfare initiative to plan for future military needs.15:03-15:10
“We're going to build the first great American base here in the United States for the first time in 40 years.”
Asserts the plan to build a new American military base in the U.S. for the first time in 40 years.15:35-15:43
“We launched a new America's Corps of Cadets so that we can do more.”
Asserts the launch of a new America's Corps of Cadets to expand military training institutions.15:55-15:59
“We just launched an Office of Religious Affairs.”
Asserts the launch of an Office of Religious Affairs to elevate the Chaplain's Corps.16:32-16:35