Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course Goes Permanent to Tackle Recruiting Crisis
The Army is taking bold steps to overcome its ongoing recruiting challenge by turning the Future Soldier Preparatory Course into a permanent fixture. This pre-basic training program, previously held mainly at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, is set to become a permanent school in October. The course’s early success has won praise from Army leaders for its role in attracting more recruits, as reported by Military.com.
Brig. Gen. Jason Kelly, commander of the Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, emphasized, “Our insistence on not lowering the standard to enter basic training means that we have to be ready to remove obstacles for those that want to serve.” In essence, this program is here to stay.
Helping Recruits Meet Standards
Launched in August 2022, this program allows recruits who do not meet the Army’s weight or academic standards to enroll. Here’s how it works: these recruits get up to 90 days to meet Army standards before heading to basic training. So far, 10,260 soldiers have successfully transitioned from the course to basic training, boasting an impressive 95% graduation rate.
A Lifesaver for Army Recruiting
The Army’s recruiting challenges have been severe in recent years, with fiscal year 2022 falling short of its 60,000 recruit goal by 15,000. This year is expected to be no different. The Army faces a dwindling pool of qualified candidates due to rising youth obesity rates and declining academic scores.
Two Tracks to Success
The Future Soldier Preparatory Course offers two distinct tracks: one for recruits not meeting weight standards and another for those struggling with the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Initially, recruits could only go through one track, but the Army now allows them to complete both.
Impressive Gains
Army leaders highlight the remarkable achievements of course participants. During the academic track, soldiers increased their ASVAB scores by an average of 19 points. Meanwhile, in the weight-focused course, they shed an average of 1.5% of body fat each week.
Empowering Recruits
The program goes beyond training; it teaches recruits how to make healthy food choices and offers academic support, regardless of their previous classroom experiences.
Securing Better Futures
Completing the course enables recruits to select Army Military Occupational Specialties they now qualify for, along with bonuses and other enlistment incentives. This prepares them for further training to embark on their Army careers.
In the words of Brig. Gen. Jason Kelly, “That’s how I think about what we’re doing here.” The Army is committed to helping individuals from diverse backgrounds become the best soldiers they can be.