WASHINGTON – A remedial course designed to prepare potential Army recruits for basic training will become a permanent part of the service’s strategy in overcoming its sagging enlistment ...

Students in the fitness track of the Army’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course receive resiliency training at Fort Jackson, S.C., on Dec. 13, 2022.

The pre-basic course goes over healthy eating and has applicants work out twice a day. Roughly 90% of those students graduate and move on to basic training. The Navy is starting a similar program .

Applicants can join the Army with up to 6% more body fat than the rules allow and go to the prep course before basic training. For men, that limit is between 20% and 26% body fat, depending on age ...