Index cards adorn a wall at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. They reveal the reasons that new recruits entered the Future Soldier Prep Course.
“Eviction notices motivate me,” reads one card. Others displayed desires to “be a better man,” “gain my independence,” and “prove to myself that I can accomplish something.”
These recruits could not meet the U.S. Army’s physical and academic test standards. The prep course exists to offer up to 90 days of instruction to help them bring up their scores.
Started as a trial program two years ago to help boost dismal recruiting numbers, the prep course is fueling the Army’s enlistment comeback. Recruiting has dropped for all military branches in recent years. The military has stiff competition from private companies that can pay more and provide similar benefits.
But in 2024, the Army made its recruiting goal of 55,000. Service leaders say more than 13,000 of those recruits came into active duty through the prep course.
During a recent visit to Fort Jackson, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth spoke with recruits and program leaders.
Wormuth says the Army may adjust based on the recruits coming out of the course. Drill sergeants say they see more discipline issues and complaints from trainees in the academic course. Trainees whose first language is not English have a more difficult time understanding orders and dealing with computers.
While trainees in the fitness section have fewer discipline issues, they do have more injuries. The program may need to increase their strength and conditioning even more slowly.
The physical fitness program aims to give trainees a healthy foundation in eating and working out. Several recruits told Wormuth that the program works. Couper Godleski of Pennsylvania says he lost excess pounds and toned up in 10 weeks of training.
Most recruits are in the academic course. In the classrooms, trainees learn basic math, English ,and other academic skills. Recruits told Wormuth that even as they struggle with comprehension, they get help from instructors while learning the structure and discipline of the Army.
Army leaders say that the graduation rate from basic training is about 2% higher for those who went through the program versus those who did not
For Wormuth, the visit confirmed Army leaders’ intention to keep the program going.
Recruiting challenges are not going to end, she says. “So we’re going to have to keep fighting hard for our new recruits.”
Why? By investing in people who didn’t meet recruiting standards, the U.S. Army can boost its numbers. Recruits get a second chance to serve. That’s a win-win situation.
