Political speech, timestamped and in context

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

Featuring: Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense | National

Secretary Hegseth's FULL ADDRESS at the United States 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. (10:13–10:18)

STATEMENT

Asserts that military recruitment is at record levels.

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

“80% of that carrier strike group signed up to reenlist.”
Asserts that 80% of a specific 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
“An autonomous warfare command, a new combatant command that will focus on autonomy, robotics and AI.”
Asserts the establishment of a new combatant command focused on autonomy, robotics, and AI.14:37-14:45
“We're going to build the first great American base here in the United States for the first time in 40 years.”
Asserts plans to build a new major military base in the U.S. for the first time in 40 years.15:35-15:43
“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 relied on 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, we're going to have to fight for it.”
Asserts that current military service members are continuing the legacy of those who fought in the American Revolutionary War.03:44-04:01
“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, Communist, Nazi, and Islamist forces.04:15-04:29
“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
“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 records.”
Asserts that military recruiting is at record levels across various branches.12:20-12:26
“The Marine Corps smashed its recruiting records.”
Asserts that the Marine Corps has exceeded its recruiting records.12:34-12:37
“We're doing a launched a Future of Warfare initiative where we're looking around the corner 5, 10, 15, 20 years.”
Asserts the launch of a Future of Warfare initiative to anticipate future military needs.15:03-15:10
“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 establishment of an Office of Religious Affairs to elevate the Chaplain's corps.16:32-16:35