The Coast Guard brought in 5,445 active-duty enlisted members during fiscal year 2026, rising from 5,204 in 2025 and 4,422 in 2024, according to the service.
It also commissioned 346 active-duty officers, making 2026 the second-strongest year for officer accessions in Coast Guard history.
“These record-breaking recruitment numbers prove that the call to serve still resonates deeply across our country,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement.
The U.S. Coast Guard welcomed 5,445 active-duty recruits in fiscal year 2026, its biggest recruiting class in nearly 40 years. (U.S. Coast Guard)
“I am incredibly proud to stand beside these new Coast Guard men and women who have stepped up to defend our Homeland,” Mullin said. “They represent the very best of who we are, and we are going to make sure they have the tools, the training, and the support to get the job done.”
To strengthen its recruiting operation, the Coast Guard opened four new offices during fiscal year 2026 in Miami, Florida; Long Island, New York; Austin, Texas; and the Netherlands.
Vice Commandant Adm. Tom Allan said the latest figures show that more Americans are considering careers in the service.
The Coast Guard exceeded its recruitment targets for the third year in a row during fiscal year 2026. (U.S. Coast Guard)
“We surpassed our recruiting goals because Americans are ready and willing to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard conducting exciting missions that deliver results our Nation needs,” Allan said.
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“This momentum is about more than numbers; it is about being the world’s best Coast Guard and building the workforce America needs,” he added. “We are proud to welcome our newest members and grateful to our recruiters for continuing to deliver exceptional results.”
Alongside the recruiting push, the service is upgrading its facilities to prepare and train a larger workforce.
The Coast Guard awarded a $400 million contract to modernize Training Center Cape May in New Jersey, the largest shore construction investment in the service’s history.
In fiscal year 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard recorded 5,445 active-duty enlistments and commissioned 346 new active-duty officers. (U.S. Coast Guard)
Cape May is the Coast Guard’s only basic training facility for enlisted recruits. The planned improvements are designed to support the service as its workforce continues to expand.
The recruiting surge comes as the Coast Guard advances a broader modernization effort called Force Design.
The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking to grow its workforce while carrying out Force Design, a sweeping modernization initiative. (U.S. Coast Guard)
One of Force Design’s objectives is to add at least 15,000 military personnel by the end of fiscal year 2028, helping the Coast Guard support a larger fleet and meet increasing mission demands.
