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Seems the Future Soldier Prep program is successful; so much so that the Army is adding Basic Training units at both Ft. Leonard Wood and Ft. Sill to cope with the improved numbers.<\/p>\n
Driving the growth is the successful Future Soldier Prep Course, which was created at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, in August 2022 as a new way to bolster enlistments. That program gives lower-performing recruits up to 90 days of academic or fitness instruction to help them meet military standards and move on to basic training.<\/p>\n
Created two years ago, the program has been cited as a key reason Army leaders expect that this fall they will reverse several years of recruiting shortfalls.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Last year recruiting goals were unmet, with a bout 50,000 recruits to fill a 65,000 troop goal.<\/p>\n
The Army has 151 training companies overall that work with recruits at Fort Jackson and Fort Moore, Georgia, in addition to the 15 training companies assigned to the prep course. Army leaders have expanded the prep course, which is expected to bring in nearly 20,000 recruits this budget year and that total is expected to spike in 2025.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Yowzahs… a little simple math says almost a third of recruits will have to come through the program.<\/p>\n
Unemployment has been low, corporate jobs pay well and offer good benefits, and, according to estimates, just 23% of people age 17 to 24 are physically, mentally and morally qualified to serve without receiving some type of waiver. Moral behavior issues include drug use, gang ties or a criminal record.<\/p>\n
Brig. Gen. Jenn Walkawicz, head of operations for the Army\u2019s Training and Doctrine Command, said there will be two new training companies at Fort Sill in Oklahoma and two at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.<\/p>\n
She added that Fort Sill and Fort Leonard Wood have the infrastructure, the barracks and the room to accommodate the new units and could take more if needed. The costs of the program are limited because the Army already had the equipment and rooms required, but there will be maintenance, food, staffing and other costs.\u00a0 AP<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Basic at Ft. Leonard Wood…a rite of passage for many. I had doubts about the Future Prep program when they announced it, but if it’s helping candidates to meet the standards, I will happily munch on my allotted portion of crow and toast its apparent success.<\/p>\n
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