The Department of Defense is marking a series of milestones under Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, as the Trump administration completes its first 100 days in office.
In a video statement released Sunday as part of the Pentagon’s Weekly Sitrep series, officials outlined notable achievements in military recruitment, border security, cost-cutting measures, and international operations.
Sean Parnell, senior advisor and assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, credited the administration’s early success to the leadership of both President Donald Trump and Secretary Hegseth.
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“Tuesday marked President Trump’s 100th day in office,” Parnell said, adding that the department has experienced “historic recruiting numbers in all branches of service.”
According to Parnell, all five military branches—the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force—surpassed their recruitment targets by February, outpacing performance levels from the same period the previous year.
“It’s been decades since we’ve seen this kind of recruiting,” he said.
The department also emphasized its renewed role in securing the southern U.S. border, highlighting the deployment of nearly 12,000 troops to support enforcement efforts.
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Pentagon officials reported a significant reduction in illegal border crossings, claiming a 99.99% decrease compared to the first 100 days under Joe Biden.
In addition to domestic operations, U.S. forces have also increased their military engagement abroad.
The Pentagon confirmed an intensified campaign targeting Iranian-backed Houthi militants, with U.S. Central Command executing over 1,000 strikes on hostile targets.
“The mission has been hugely successful thus far,” said Parnell, noting that the campaign has eliminated multiple fighters and degraded the group’s operational capacity.
The department also announced action on a policy reversal affecting servicemembers dismissed under the Biden-era COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
While details were not provided, officials said the effort to address cases involving troops who refused mRNA vaccines is underway.
Alongside operational and personnel updates, Secretary Hegseth has initiated a financial reform package in coordination with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
According to Parnell, the Pentagon has identified and begun implementing nearly $6 billion in cost-saving measures to eliminate wasteful spending.
To the American warfighter and the American taxpayer, this is what we accomplished in the historic first 100 days. pic.twitter.com/uoQ6qEBwC8
— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) May 2, 2025
The achievements come amid ongoing criticism from some political opponents who previously questioned Hegseth’s qualifications for the post.
The department’s public report appears aimed at countering those narratives by emphasizing early performance metrics and leadership outcomes.
The 100-day summary reflects the administration’s continued focus on restoring traditional military priorities, streamlining bureaucratic operations, and reversing policies inherited from the previous administration.
In just 100 days:
• Recruiting is at its highest in decades
• Houthi terrorists are being eliminated
• Golden Dome construction is underway
• Wokeness has been removed from the ranks
• We are achieving 100% operational control of the border
• Service members removed over…— DOD Rapid Response (@DODResponse) May 4, 2025
The Department of Defense is expected to issue additional updates in the coming weeks as it pursues further reforms and operational goals under Secretary Hegseth’s direction.
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