‘Battle for Talent Is Intense’: US Air Force Set to Miss Recruiting Goal by 10 Percent

Air Force spokeswoman says there is an overall declining interest in military service among today’s potential candidates.

A military recruitment center stands in Brooklyn New York City on Sept. 4, 2020. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The U.S. Air Force expects to miss its goal of recruiting new active-duty personnel by about 10 percent when the fiscal year draws to a close at the end of the month.

Air Force secretary Frank Kendall has been projecting the 10 percent recruiting shortfall for months and, in a Monday interview with Military.com, said that’s still the expected outcome when the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.