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    Future Soldier course helps four graduate, fulfill lifelong dreams of military service

    230419-D-TG881-840

    Photo By Emily Hileman | Spc. Torian Ward, poses with her Family during Family Day for 2nd Battalion, 60th...... read more read more

    FORT JACKSON, SC, UNITED STATES

    04.19.2023

    Story by Emily Hileman 

    Fort Jackson Public Affairs Office

    Among the 2nd Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment Soldiers in formation on Hilton Field, April 19; four stood tall, with their heads held high. Had you told them 13 weeks prior that they would be graduating Basic Combat Training, they wouldn’t be so sure.

    These four Soldiers left home three weeks earlier than their battle buddies to participate in the Future Soldier Preparatory Course here at Fort Jackson.

    “It helped me immensely,” said Pvt. William Maxwell. Maxwell participated in the fitness track of the Future Soldier Prep Course that worked to get him within 2% of the body fat percentage required of Soldiers prior to entering Basic Combat Training.

    During their time on the fitness track, future Soldiers are taught much more than just physical exercise and weight loss.

    “We took classes on nutrition and mental health and we went to the Holistic Health and Fitness program,” Maxwell said. “Some of the H2F instructors taught us things like yoga, which was beneficial.”

    The hard work paid off and Maxwell secured his dream position as a 13B – Cannon Crew Member.

    The other three Soldiers participated in the academic track of the program. A minimum score of 31 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is required to qualify for service. However, individuals scoring between 21 – 30 are eligible to participate in the FSPC, which can potentially increase their score. “My score went up so many points and I got the job I really wanted to get,” said Spc. Torian Ward, an academic track graduate. Ward was able to increase her score by 25 points, which helped her secure her goal as a 42A – Human Resources Specialist.

    After multiple attempts, Pvt. Braxton Pringle was able to secure a 21 on his ASVAB and qualify for the educational track, as well. “I kept trying and trying and it was under the 20s,” Pringle said. “I finally got 21, came through the education program and it went up to a 64.”

    The FSPC officially began Aug. 8 and has helped to improve the physical fitness and Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery test scores of Soldiers who were originally unable to qualify for military service. Soldiers must still meet some qualifications (ASVAB score of 21 for the educational track or no more than six percent body fat percentage for the physical track), but are able to spend up to 6 weeks improving their physical and educational abilities to qualify.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.19.2023
    Date Posted: 04.20.2023 12:12
    Story ID: 442984
    Location: FORT JACKSON, SC, US
    Hometown: IRONTON, OH, US
    Hometown: SACRAMENTO, CA, US

    Web Views: 164
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN