Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska -- ST. PAUL, Minn. – The U.S. Air Force 343d Recruiting Squadron and U.S. Army 1st Battalion, Western Sector, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command, jointly hosted Peter I. Belk, principal deputy assistant secretary of war for readiness, at the Fort Snelling Military Entrance Processing Station in Minneapolis on May 26 for an oath of enlistment ceremony, where he administered the oath to a family member.
Belk administered the oath to four U.S. Air Force recruits and 18 sister-service recruits, taking time to engage with the new enlistees and their families.
During the ceremony, Belk spoke about the significance of recruits joining the Department of War family.
“There has never been a better time to serve,” Belk said. “Under the leadership of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, we are caring for our people better than ever before, enabled by relentless emphasis on accountability, the continued focus on incorporating new technologies in data and analytics into our workforce, and always seeking the betterment of the service member.”
Belk commissioned into the U.S. Army in 1993. After a break in service in 2004, he was recommissioned in 2010. Both times, his father administered the oath to him.
“After a lifetime of experiencing what this military family can provide — purpose, friendship, trust, challenge and belonging — it is especially gratifying to be able to welcome my nephew into this family,” Belk said.
Belk also provided an overview of the Warfighter Performance Optimization policy, which codifies the five domains of Total Force Fitness: spiritual, cognitive, physical, psychological and social.
“This policy is about the constant betterment of the service member as an individual part of readiness that again starts with each and every one of you and your families,” Belk said.
After administering the oath to 22 Department of War enlistees, Belk spent time with 343d RCS recruiters and members of the 1st Battalion, Western Sector, U.S. Military Entrance Processing Command.
He recognized two individuals who made significant contributions during his nephew’s enlistment process: Staff Sgt. Dalton Miller, 343d RCS enlisted accessions recruiter, and Master Sgt. Neal Garrett, 343d RCS MEPS liaison. Belk also highlighted Master Sgt. Thomas Casey, 343d RCS MEPS liaison, who recently reenlisted through the Voluntary Retired Return to Active Duty program after a 13-year break in service at age 60.
Belk expressed appreciation for the synergy between the 1st Battalion and 343d RCS, as well as the vital contributions both units make to the Department of War.
The visit came as senior leaders continue to highlight recruiting success across the services. This year, the Department of the Air Force met its fiscal year 2026 recruiting goals five months ahead of schedule, with the Air Force meeting its goal of 32,750 active-duty Airmen and the Space Force meeting its goal of 730 active-duty Guardians. The U.S. Army also reached its fiscal year 2026 active-duty recruiting goal four months ahead of schedule, signing contracts with more than 61,500 future soldiers.
“This is where the money is made for the Department,” said U.S. Space Force Lt. Col. Zachery Leonard. “The partnership between recruiters and MEPS personnel is often unseen by the public but remains essential to sustaining the force.”
Leonard said the relationship between recruiters and USMEPCOM personnel is a critical part of turning interest in military service into accessions.
“This is the silent partnership that truly feeds our military enterprise,” Leonard said. “Our recruiters and USMEPCOM personnel are truly getting after the mission every day to strengthen America’s military readiness and warrior ethos.”
The visit highlighted the role recruiters, MEPS personnel and families play in bringing the next generation of service members into the Department of War. For the 343d RCS, the ceremony served as both a personal milestone for one family and a broader reminder of the mission carried out every day by recruiters across the force.
Belk said that the service’s senior leaders have reinforced the importance of caring for people while strengthening readiness across the force.
“Their leadership reflects a simple truth: Our greatest advantage is our people, and that is why today matters,” Belk said.