The Army is looking to extend the length of basic training, just six months after beefing up the course by rolling out a series of new tests that are mandatory for graduation.

“The No. 1 priority is readiness in our Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, the senior enlisted soldier for Training and Doctrine Command. “When we [at TRADOC] hand that soldier to their first unit of assignment, there are three things we want them to be — fit, disciplined and well trained.”

Extending basic training — it is currently almost 10 weeks long — will enable the Army to reduce attrition and give new soldiers more time to increase their fitness and learn their fundamental skills, Davenport said.

Read More- Army Times

Image courtesy of DoD