As the Army struggles to meet its recruitment goals, it has expanded its program offering recruits a free pathway to General Educational Development diplomas.

Known as the Future Soldier Program, it prepares recruits both physically and educationally for the rigors of basic training. It was created in 2022 to alleviate the Army’s struggles with retaining recruits. That year, only 23% of eligible people met Army requirements to serve.

Just last month, the eight-week program, which offers recruits assistance in preparing for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and GED tests, launched at Palo Alto College in San Antonio for recruits to earn their GED certificates. So far, eight people have signed up for the program.

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Last year, the Army fell 11,000 recruits short of meeting its goal of recruiting 65,000 active-duty soldiers.

In January, meanwhile, the Navy waived the requirement for recruits to have a high school or GED diploma to join.