Army Boot Camp Helps Overweight Recruits Get Fit

Beginner | June 23, 2025

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Army Boot Camp for Overweight Recruits: A New Chance to Serve

The U.S. Army has a special program to help people who want to join but are too heavy. They call it the Future Soldier Preparatory Course. This program is at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Many young Americans want to join the Army, but some don’t meet the required weight or fitness levels. This program supports Army boot camp overweight recruits and gives them a second chance.

Why the gov’t created the Program

This special course gives these future soldiers a chance. It helps them get in shape before they go to regular boot camp. The Army started this program because it needs more soldiers. About three-quarters of young Americans are overweight, which makes them unable to join right away.

Getting Fit for Duty

The program is like a special boot camp focused on health. It teaches recruits about healthy eating and exercise. They work with experts like dietitians and trainers. The goal is to help them reach the Army’s body fat requirements. Recruits can stay in the program for up to 90 days, but many finish faster.

Weekly Check-ins and Real Results

Every week, they check their weight and body fat. It can be hard work, but it helps the recruits get healthier. Officials say people who finish this program are in much better shape than when they started. This program is really important for the Army to find enough qualified people.

Success and Opportunity

The program has been successful. Many recruits finish the course and move on to basic training. This shows that with the right help, people can make big changes to their health and fitness. It’s a good way to open doors for more people to serve their country. This is great news for Army boot camp overweight recruits who want to change their lives.

Vocabulary

Recruit (noun): A new person joining the army or another group.
- Example: The new recruit was ready to start training.
Overweight (adjective): Weighing more than the normal or healthy amount.
- Example: Eating too much fast food can make you overweight.
Program (noun): A plan of things to do.
- Example: The school has a new reading program.
Fitness (noun): The condition of being physically strong and healthy.
- Example: Running every day helps improve your fitness.
Standard (noun): A level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or right.
- Example: You must meet the Army’s standard to join.
Boot camp (noun): A place where new soldiers are trained.
- Example: Training at boot camp is very difficult.
Requirement (noun): Something that you need or that you must do.
- Example: A high school diploma is a requirement for this job.
Goal (noun): Something you want to achieve.
- Example: My goal is to run a marathon.
Nutrition (noun): The process of eating the right kinds of food to be healthy.
- Example: Learning about good nutrition is important for health.
Exercise (noun): Activity needing physical effort, done to improve health and fitness.
- Example: Daily exercise helps you stay strong.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

What is the main idea of the article?
Why did the Army start the Future Soldier Preparatory Course?
Where is this special program located?
What do recruits learn in the fitness program?
How do they check if recruits are making progress?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Why is physical fitness important for soldiers?
What are some reasons why young people might be overweight?
Do you think programs like this are a good idea? Why or why not?
What can schools do to help students stay healthy?
What are some healthy habits you try to follow?

Related Idiom

“Get in shape”

Meaning: To become physically fit, especially through exercise and healthy eating.
Example: He started running every day to get in shape for the race.

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This article was inspired by: ABC News, June 17, 2025