Over 60 New Recruits Sworn in as U.S. Army Celebrates National Airborne Day

More than 60 men and women took the oath of enlistment on August 16, 2025, marking a significant milestone in their military journey. The mass enlistment ceremony at the U.S. Army Airborne and Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, was a celebration of National Airborne Day, commemorating the Army's first official parachute jump in 1940. The event was attended by families, veterans, and community leaders, demonstrating their support for the newest generation of Soldiers.

Key Takeaways:

• The ceremony was part of National Airborne Day, which honors the legacy of paratroopers past and present.
• The 60+ enlistees represent communities across North Carolina and will report to basic combat training in the coming weeks.
• The new Soldiers will begin their careers in various fields, including combat arms, health care, technology, and logistics.
• Lt. Gen. Gregory Anderson, commanding general of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, led the enlistment ceremony and emphasized the strength of the Army's recruiting mission.
• Capt. Tara Espinoza, commander of the Fayetteville Recruiting Company, highlighted the importance of partnerships and community trust in the Army's recruiting efforts.
• The event showcased the Army's role in national defense during a time of transformation and modernization.
• Ashley Hayles-Bennett, wife of recruit Shamar Bennett, expressed pride in her husband's decision to join the military.
• Shamar Bennett, the recruit, was excited about embracing the new journey and the opportunities that come with it.

Statistics:

• 60+ new recruits took the oath of enlistment on August 16, 2025.
• The recruits will report to basic combat training in the coming weeks.
• The new Soldiers will be stationed in various units, specifically in the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.

Sources:

• "U.S. Army-Asia Pacific: News" article, August 19, 2025, by Twana Atkinson.