BUZZ
ANALYSIS: Yet … 2025 saw the best military recruitment year in a decade and a half
At a Harvard University Institute of Politics discussion on April 2, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. expressed concern over the American public’s “declining confidence” in the U.S. military.
The Harvard Crimson reports moderator and Harvard Kennedy School lecturer Eric Rosenbach asked Brown about this alleged “falling trust,” as well as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removing a quartet of black and female officers from a list of promotions.
“If what I’m hearing is being reported is true, it is very concerning, because it does start to erode getting order and discipline and ensuring that people are all given a fair opportunity,” Brown replied.
The general also spoke about how he recorded a video regarding “the struggles he had faced as an African American person serving in the military” shortly before his Air Force chief of staff confirmation hearing.
In it, he claimed “he’d been questioned about his credentials, even when he wore the same flight suit and wings as every other pilot,” the Associated Press reported.
Brown said “I knew I was taking a chance, but in my heart of hearts, I thought it was the right thing to do.”
When asked what he would tell minority service members “who might be losing faith in the Defense Department,” Brown replied “I would say, ‘Don’t throw in the towel, and prove them wrong.’ I appreciate those that are still serving, because there’s an opportunity to prove that.”
According to the AP, President Trump “abruptly” fired Brown in mid-February “as part of a campaign” led by Hegseth “to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks.”
The report claims Brown’s “public support” of the Black Lives Matter movement “made him fodder” for the administration’s “war against ‘wokeism.'”
In one of his books, Hegseth had questioned whether Brown was promoted due to his race or his skill, writing “since he has made the race card one of his biggest calling cards, it doesn’t really much matter.”
Brown also discussed Hegseth’s decision to terminate partnerships with Harvard, as well as the use of A.I. in the military.
Brown told the IOP audience Americans are becoming concerned about “politicization” of the military; however, the 2025 fiscal year was the best recruiting year for U.S. armed forces in a decade and a half. All branches attained at least 100 percent of their recruitment goals, with the Navy leading the way at over 108 percent.
According to Undersecretary of War for Personnel and Readiness Anthony J. Tata, 2025 was successful compared to the last few years “because we have a commander in chief and a secretary of war who are focused on our troops and our mission, and on ensuring that we remain the most lethal fighting force on the planet.”
MORE: Department of War’s decision to end ties with Harvard prompts debate
