To Boost Recruitment, Army Starts Weight Loss and Academic Programs

July 27, 2022

The Army is starting two pilot programs next month at Fort Jackson, South Carolina to prepare new recruits who don’t meet its fitness or academic standards, as Military.com and other outlets reported.

New recruits who are above body fat standards by as much as 6% can enter an exercise and dietary training program for up to 90 days. If they can get to 2% above Army standards, they can move on to basic training.

An academic training program will give those with low Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test scores up to 90 days to achieve those test results to move on to basic training.

“The young men and women who will participate in this pilot have the desire to improve themselves and want to honorably serve their country,” Gen. Paul Funk II, the commanding general of Training and Doctrine Command, said. “[It’s] a great way to increase opportunities for them to serve without sacrificing the quality needed across our force.”

Recruitment struggles have hit the military services hard, with the Army having the most difficulty enlisting new members.

Army photo by Kelly Morris

July 27, 2022

Recent News

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

DOD, Congress and communities are working to address the challenges that remain in helping military families find quality, affordable child care. It is one of the most pressing quality of life concerns service members report. The topic will be covered at sessions...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

The Military Alliance Council in Charles County, Maryland and the town of Indian Head recently coordinated with local partners to provide Chick-Fil-A breakfast for Marines and sailors assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force after they returned in...

Tomorrow: DOD Webinar on Communities and the Defense Industrial Base

Tomorrow: DOD Webinar on Communities and the Defense Industrial Base

DOD’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is hosting a webinar Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the National Defense Industrial Strategy. “The priorities detailed in the NDIS serve as a helpful guide to state and local leaders who want to identify ways to...

PAST STORIES