Army's New Pre-Basic Training Prep Course Helps Potential Soldiers Qualify For Enlistment

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 28: U.S. Army trainees participating in the Army's new Future Soldier Prep Course stand in formation following a physical training session at Fort Jackson on September 28, 2022 in Columbia, South Carolina. The course is a pre-basic training improvement camp for those wanting to join the Army but who have not yet qualified due to excess body fat or low academic test scores. If the soldier hopefuls improve enough to meet the Army's standards, they sign an enlistment contract and are transferred into the basic training program. The Army started the program after it was faced with a shortage of qualified recruits enlisting in the service. Even with the high success rate of the prep course, the Army expects to miss its 2022 recruiting goals by 10,000 soldiers. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)