A new Army program that gives lower-performing 90 days of fitness or academic instruction before boot camp has already helped whip new soldiers into shape and shore up the military’s ranks.

Someone has to feed the army. Retired Command Sergeant Major Steve Ball of Knoxville did just that while attaining the highest enlisted rank in the U.S. Army.

The Army will expand its basic combat training for newly enlisted soldiers in what its leaders hope reflects a turning point as it prepares to meet the challenges of future wars.