Michelle Obama in SC, sees Army fitness, food

FORT JACKSON, S.C. (AP) — First lady Michelle Obama is visiting the Army’s largest training post to see how the military turns couch potato recruits into strong and nutrition-minded soldiers.

The first lady arrived today to address the latest crop of new soldiers at their graduation ceremony at Fort Jackson in central South Carolina. She also was to hear about Army efforts to turn unfit teens into warriors.

Obama’s focus on making children healthier intersects with the nation’s need to field tough troops for the Army.

Fort Jackson trains more than 60,000 soldiers annually, including more than half of the Army’s female soldiers.

Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling is briefing the first lady on how new soldiers are given exercises for core body strength and stamina. Mess halls now feature more dark greens, whole grains and fat-free milk.