Visit our Covid-19 microsite for the latest coronavirus news, analysis and updates


Follow the latest updates of the outbreak on our timeline.


The US Army is set to temporarily halt the movement of soldiers to basic combat training as the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic spreads globally.

Army Training and Doctrine Command commander Army General Paul Funk II said that this will not pause training for the 54,000 soldiers who are currently at army training centres.

Funk said: “This conditions-based pause allows leaders to further focus on setting conditions to restart movement in a safer manner.”

Drill sergeants are enforcing social distance-enabled training and regular screening is carried out for trainees for Covid-19.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

At the time of pause, commanders are expected to ensure that they follow accurate and latest procedures and capabilities to screen and test recruits.

Each new basic combat training cycle will have a two-week monitoring period. This will be followed by the start of an eight-week period of instruction of the trainees.

To contain the situation, response lessons learned from US forces in Italy and Korea continue to be applied.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is providing guidelines.

Funk added: “We are still training every day to fight and win our nation’s wars as our nation expects us to do.”

Trainees continue to be virtually recruited over social media avoiding face-to-face contact with the recruiters.

All prospective trainees have been screened for Covid-19. The screening tests are conducted at all military entrance processing stations and at the training base reception battalion.

This is followed by the two-week controlled monitoring, which involves asking soldiers about their health and recording their temperatures.

Collective training commences after 14 days, but with social distancing.