JANUARY 26, 2026 — The U.S. Army recognized its top recruiters for fiscal year 2025 during a ceremony on Jan. 22, 2026, at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall’s Conmy Hall, highlighting their major impact in shaping the Army’s future.
The ceremony highlighted the milestones Army recruiters have achieved in FY 2025, which is critical for building the Army of 2040. The Army brought in 62,050 new Soldiers, beating its slated goal of 61,000. Army recruiters’ hard work across the country yielded a 12% increase in accessions from last year and reached contract goals by June — the first time this has been achieved since 2014.
“The diligent work of our recruiters nationwide is instrumental in mitigating challenges in the recruiting market and ensuring sustained success for the development of our force,” expressed Brig. Gen. Sara Dudley, commanding general of the U.S. Army Recruiting Division. “We are focused on evolving how we recruit. We’re moving from a practice that was once more of an art to one that is a science.”
One of the top Army Recruiters, Staff Sgt. Victoria Ortiz, Jacksonville Recruiting Station, said, “One of the most rewarding aspects of my role is the opportunity to connect with the next generation. My goal is to create a space where future soldiers feel empowered to be themselves, where authenticity is valued, and connection transcends age or background. At the end of the day, we all serve one mission: to support and protect the people.”
The top recruiters also participated several events in the National Capital Region, sharing their personal stories and the passion that drives their success. The lauded group, including Sgt. 1st Class Brenda Kunde, Sgt. 1st Class Phillip Buchmann, Sgt. 1st Class Karim Muhammad, Staff Sgt. Gage Smith and Staff Sgt. Ortiz were a portion of 30 recruiters recognized this week for their hard work and results.
Army recruiters are dedicated to helping every qualified and motivated applicant answer the call to serve.
USARD Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Basham said, “By using better tools and structured information, we can understand who is best suited for the Army and what career path is right for them. It’s about putting the right people in the right places from the very start.”
These recognition events do not merely celebrate Soldier achievements; they pay tribute to the important work that our Army Recruiters do each-and-every day to inspire the next generation to answer their call to serve.
By Sgt. Zack Stine