"It's a difficult market because it's a very healthy job market," said Acting Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy. "This environment is as challenging as we've faced- 3.6% unemployment. We have no benchmark historically for the all-volunteer force."

McCarthy told the Times that it would be difficult to reach the recruitment goal by year's end.

"We are on target, but it's close," McCarthy said. "We, statistically, can make it, but we're going to have to run through the finish line- undoubtedly a full sprint."

McCarthy said Army officials are speaking with municipalities across the country to formulate a strategy to enhance recruitment at a local level.