By Capt. Stephanie Snyder, MCoE Public Affairs
Fort Moore’s Future Soldier Preparatory Course, or FSPC, has become a pivotal pathway for many seeking to begin a career in the U.S. Army.
The academic track of the FSPC provides focused academic instruction to help potential recruits meet or exceed the Army’s accession standards.
Since its inception, the FSPC at Fort Moore has grown significantly, expanding from two companies to five within the 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry Regiment, 197th Infantry Brigade, and increasing enrollment from 50 students to 150 trainees per week. This rapid growth demonstrates the Army’s commitment to empowering and preparing motivated recruits.
“The FSPC is all about giving individuals who want to join the Army a solid chance to meet the ASVAB [Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery] requirements,” said Capt. Cody Mann, executive officer for Charlie Company, 1-46th Infantry Regiment. “We have a lot of people who come in with external motivation — they want this, and they’re willing to work hard for it.”
The 21-day course enhances foundational English and math skills crucial for ASVAB success. Civilian instructors provide personalized attention and rigorous tutoring in math concepts like fractions, percentages, and basic algebra, as well as English skills such as vocabulary, paragraph comprehension, and synonym recognition.
“We teach them everything from addition and subtraction to fractions and a little bit of geometry,” said Tony Chisolm, an FSPC math instructor. “Our goal is to bring them full circle, so they’re not only prepared to score higher on the ASVAB but are confident in doing so.”
Trainees come from diverse backgrounds, including those returning to education after gaps, challenging educational systems, and English-language learners.
“I’ve tried joining the Army for years but struggled with the ASVAB,” said Pvt. Mondesir Makenson, an FSPC trainee. “This program empowered me with knowledge and confidence. I’m ready to achieve a better score.”
The program’s success at Fort Moore is evident with most trainees improving their ASVAB scores within three weeks and a 90% graduation rate overall, demonstrating the Army’s investment in its future Soldiers’ success and supporting the Army’s competitiveness through streamlined talent acquisition and diversity promotion. “The Army is investing in its future Soldiers,” Mann noted. “If someone wants to serve, we’re going to help them get there with up to 90 days of tutoring and support.”
The FSPC’s expansion has been supported by significant increases in resources. The program has transitioned from being drill sergeant-led to having a dedicated cadre of both civilian educators and noncommissioned officers. Trainees now have access to Wi-Fi-enabled tablets loaded with study materials, practice exams closely aligned with the ASVAB, and even a vocabulary bank with 500 relevant words. This infrastructure allows trainees to study efficiently and receive the support they need to succeed.
The Army remains committed to investing in America’s young people, unlocking their full potential through programs like the FSPC. These initiatives provide individuals who meet all other enlistment qualifications a path to serve. The Army prioritizes recruiting high-quality personnel, focusing on academic and physical fitness standards. The FSPC helps potential recruits overcome barriers to service without sacrificing quality. “We’re not just teaching skills, we’re giving people a shot at their dreams,” said Chisolm.
