Air Force Retention is at an all-time high. For the first time in twenty years, the Air Force has the highest number of airmen in active duty service. Some members who had planned to transition out of service in 2020 delayed their transition due to COVID-19 concerns. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly credits Congress with helping to keep manpower high stating in a press release that “Congress delivered immense help, increased our numbers and helped us make real readiness improvements after sequestration reductions.”

Different programs are being considered to bring numbers back to below the total end strength of 333,700.  Voluntary opportunities are being reviewed by Headquarters Air Force to provide airmen the opportunity to waive active duty service commitments or to move to the Guard or Reserve from active duty through waivers. In addition, retention bonuses will no longer be utilized for all specialties to maintain the force needed to meet the requirements of the DOD and Air Force. “We have to bring in the right number of Airmen each year to sustain the force throughout the continuum of service, Lt. Gen Brian Kelly said further, “We have a plan to avoid future year-group gaps and we will announce volunteer options soon that we believe will balance end-strength appropriately.”

All movement from active to reserves or guard or out of service would be voluntary and no involuntary shape forcing programs would be utilized in Fiscal Year 2021. Airmen would be The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program for 37 eligible Air Force Specialties was released on December 10. The FY 2021 Selective Retention Bonus Program Listing is available on the retention page for the Air Force here and on myPers.

With two vaccines for COVID-19 now receiving an emergency use authorization by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration, the logistics of getting a shot in every arm is a huge logistic challenge. Tiberius is a software platform specifically developed for Operation Warp Speed (OWS) to plan and monitor the distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine. It provides the visibility necessary for a smooth transition from manufacturing the vaccine to allocating the vaccine down to provider level. Information from the U.S. Census, the Vaccine Tracking System and commercial logistics companies such a FedEx and United Parcel Service (UPS) was incorporated into the platform.

Challenging Logistics

The logistics include not only the manufacturing, supply chain, allocation, and delivery of the vaccine but also the kits to administer the vaccine which include needles, syringes and supplies.

There are 64 jurisdictions which include U.S. states, territories and large metropolitan cities will use Tiberius to determine where their allocated doses will go based on guidance from the FDA, CDC and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on how to prioritize the administration of vaccines.  An algorithm was devised based on the census-derived percentage of the U.S. population over the age of 18. Initially the vaccine will be limited as the first doses arrive around the country, but Operation Warp Speed will continue to run the algorithm each week as the supply increases and determine how much vaccine will go to each jurisdiction.

“The federal government is running the algorithm, but the states will make the decision as to where the doses go, and we will comply with their decision and get those doses to the final destination,” said Paul Mango, the deputy chief of staff for policy at HHS.

Once the vaccine ships, Tiberius will also be used to provide information updates for jurisdictional partners, said Deacon Maddox, Operation Warp Speed chief of plans, operations, and analytics. “Like most of America, public health professionals are working through the challenges brought on by quarantines, telework and social distancing,” Maddox said. “While the pandemic stresses both people and systems, our expertise and technology tools provide a disciplined and deliberate approach to prioritize vaccine delivery and ease the burden of public health officials throughout the nation.”

The federal government provided training materials when Tiberius was launched Labor Day weekend and HHS funds a help desk and technology personnel for each jurisdiction.

Vaccine Distribution

Army Gen. Gus F. Perna, chief operating officer of OWS recently briefed the media on the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. As soon as the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine received emergency use authorization from the FDA employees from Pfizer, UPS and FedEx began the work to pack the vaccine and get it shipped out. “The strategy is to get the initial Pfizer vaccine out to Americans right away,” he said. “As it becomes available, the vaccine is allocated in a fair and equitable manner to the states and territories, which stipulate the location and quantity needed,” he explained. The Moderna vaccine began shipment once it received emergency use authorization.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens Company, other pharmacies and the states created a very elaborate campaign strategy to get the vaccine to long-term health care facilities and first-line medical personnel who will be the initial priority group,” Perna said. “Our goal is every vaccine that goes out is safe and effective upon delivery. And, we wanted to make sure that deliveries occurred in the places where people could receive them and then begin administering the vaccine to the American people. And, it went incredibly well.” 

The federal government has purchased enough vaccines to meet the goal of vaccinating every American who wants it by the second quarter of 2021.

USAMMA Spearheads Military Distribution

The US Army Medical Materiel Agency (USAMMA) is spearheading the distribution for all branches of the services and is working with the Defense Health Agency’s Immunization Health Care Division. They are collecting the COVID-19 vaccine orders and submitting to the CDC. They will track the vaccine shipments from the vendors to each military location.

 USAMMA Distribution Operations Center Deputy Director Liz Andrews said, “the vaccine will ship directly from the vendor to several military medical treatment facilities throughout the U.S. where it will be used to immunize troops, as well as military beneficiaries and bolster their immunity against the pandemic.”

According to Andrews, one of the logistical challenges is the Pfizer vaccine must be kept at ultr-cold temperatures. She and her team can track not only the location of the vaccine but also its temperature throughout the distribution process. “This is a challenging mission but also very exciting. We are prepared to execute this mission and proud to be a part of Operation Warp Speed,” she said.

USAMMA was chosen for the mission because of their expertise in the distribution of military vaccines such as anthrax and small pox.

“The military hospitals are already used to working with us, so this made the process smoother for them as they were familiar with our systems and forms,” Andrews said. “The USAMMA Distribution Operations Center web development team also played a crucial role by swiftly adapting USAMMA’s existing vaccine ordering system, so it could be used for COVID-19 vaccine order processing. This was a total team effort, and we are just honored to be a part of this whole campaign.”

The Department of Defense will continue to play an important role in Operation Warp Speed until this pandemic is contained.

By Constitutional law, inauguration day is 20 January. As Abigail Bartlett remarked in The West Wing show, it is usually a cold day in the District of Columbia. The 59^th Inaugural ceremonies will occur on January 20, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol. The opening remarks are scheduled to begin around 11:30 EST with the completion after the new president takes the oath of office.

Attending in Person

In a usual year, there are tickets available through Congress and Senate members. Each person is typically provided many tickets to give out. In 2021, amongst a pandemic, only 1,000 tickets are available versus the normal 200,000 tickets– meaning that the seat holders of Congress and the Senate are invited with a guest. Some representatives have decided to open online submission feeds to those interested in coming. However, the Presidential Inaugural Committee has made the recommendation to refrain from traveling for the inauguration.

What are the Inaugural Events?

There are several traditional events that typically occur with every inauguration –the procession of the outgoing and incoming President to the ceremony, Vice President’s and President’s Swearing-In Ceremony,  the well known Inaugural Address, Honorary Departure of the outgoing President, Signing Ceremony, Inaugural Lunch, Pass In Review. Per a statement released by the Inaugural committee, the “ceremony’s footprint will be extremely limited, and the parade that follows will be reimagined.” A traditional giant parade of inaugurations passed will not be happening. However, construction of a reviewing stand in front of the White House has continued, which may be part of the Pass in Review of events passed. Traditional events like the luncheon for the new president is also not occurring due to the current coronavirus situation.

Where Can You Watch It Virtually?

The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies Chairman Roy Blunt stated that due to the global pandemic, they are “working on enhanced opportunities to watch the ceremonies online, in addition to the traditional televised national broadcast.” If you have cable television, you can expect most major networks to carry the live broadcast.

For those who have cut the cable ties, it is expected to be available for streaming here:

• On the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies website
• White House YouTube Channel
• White House Live Stream
• Politico Live Stream
• In Spanish on Univision’s You Tube Channel

Even if you don’t have cable, the major news networks of ABC, CBS, Fox, MSNBC, and CNN will most likely carry live streaming on their website or YouTube channel.

The pre-event festivities historically begin at 9:30 am EST with the official ceremony occurring neatly at noon EST.

It isn’t new for military children to deal with separation. From parents who are deployed or training or on exercises. From extended family members who live half a world away from where they are currently stationed. From friends, they make after a PCS (Permanent Change of Station – aka military move). In 2020, kids are separated from their classmates who might live down the street due to social distancing and virtual school. Keeping kids connected to the friends they have made is even more important now that there aren’t as many opportunities to find and make new friends and build new friendships.

Letter writing

In addition to writing out thoughts to friends, sharing details about their new house or clothes, letter writing allows for practicing writing letters, words, and penmanship. Letter writing is a skill in itself – working on addressing, composing a letter, and determining the best signature. Making it a weekly practice. In the letters, they can share pictures or bookmarks, or handmade bracelets. It’s a way to share, stay connected, and all while they practice and learn and don’t even realize it. So shhhh!

Video Chats

When able to, this is an awesome option to keep kids connected. There are several applications on computers, phones, and tablets that can be utilized and should all be used with adult supervision. It allows children to read and take facial cues while looking at each other and talking to each other. It continues to build the bond of friendship and allows them to share drawings or games or books on the video chat as the interest of the children determines. If possible, schedule the video chats so there are a pattern and expectation to the calls.

Virtual Book Club

While these are reserved for adults most times, keeping kids connected with the same reading level with a shared book is a great way to keep kids connected. It promotes reading and allows for the development of conversation while working on the skill of reading comprehension – and all under the guise of “just catching up” with a friend.  If you aren’t sure what books to use, ask your child’s teacher for reading level acceptable choices. Books do not have to be purchased if you have an electronic device. Most libraries have e-books you can borrow from and the service libraries also have a large library presence online with a large volume of books available to borrow.

Online Gaming

Kids who love to play games online can connect with their friends online. There are computer games, apps, and live games on streaming devices that allow for people across the world. There are parental controls to limit the amount of time spent online and which games can be played. Utilizing headphones, they can talk to each other as well. This is a bit outside my scope as a non-gamer, but with age-appropriate limits, being able to bond while playing a game together is a great way to stay in touch with friends.  As with any online activity for your children, check on what they are doing and who they are talking to.

Old Fashioned Games

Consider playing a game on video chat. If both parties have UNO, split the deck and play. Or consider charades or Battleship – games that can easily be split between two parties and can be played solo. For the little kids maybe Boggle, and for older kids Monopoly or any board games that both parties have.

Movie Night

Thanks to streaming services introducing group play, you can watch a movie together at the same time and even send messages while watching. This does take some prior planning and technology link-up, but being able to continue movie nights is pretty amazing.

This year has certainly brought on the need for creativity in staying in touch but socially distanced, and these are great ways for kids to stay in touch. Based on age, children may need some parental assistance. With any technology, parental guidance and monitoring are recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What have you been utilizing to help your children stay in touch with their friends? Can the adults get on a long-distance game of CLUE?

Get with you Quarun-team

In keeping with state-specific guidelines in regards to group size, avoid large group gatherings, and stick to your family or quarun-team, aka the group of people who are in your safe circle and stick to that. While the holidays are a great time to get together with friends, with COVID-19 and flu season, no one wants to be sick over the holidays. Get your group together and celebrate in a fun and unique ways that are as unique as the year 2020.

Make it a Bake Off!

Gather baking supplies, look up your favorite baking show, and find a topic or recipe to try and do it! Have fun together trying something new and maybe you will create your new favorite bread courtesy of Paul Hollywood or custard that Mary Berry would favor.  

Fireworks whenever you want

The sparkling fireworks and the accompanying music is a highlight for outdoor NYE celebrations. Continue them from home before midnight by streaming fireworks from Disneyland via their Youtube channel or from the Nagaoka fireworks Festival show in Japan who as a country have the best fireworks you have ever seen. Just type in “fireworks” on YouTube or an online video search engine of your choice and guarantee you will find the perfect firework style and length to suit your taste.

Craft a Memory Keepsake

While a lot of people are ready to just get the year over with, the truth is, it has happened. While there aren’t vacation photos like years past or birthday parties with huge cakes, chances are there are lots of selfies, pictures of science experiments, and game nights. Consider printing off a few to make a scrapbook or photo book or perhaps a photo ornament. Celebrate the silver linings of this year and build more memories together.

Pjs and a Movie

In keeping with making New Year’s Eve whatever you want, consider cuddling up in comfy PJs, make a couch fort with blanket and pillows, and pop in a movie – you know those digital video discs that we all owned – or stream a movie and relax and enjoy. Make it a phone-free event for extra enjoyment!

Dinner Buffet

While keeping it your family or quarun-team, put out fun plates of veggies, fruit, crackers, jams, cheese, meats and enjoy noshing over a fun appetizer-like dinner that you may see at NYE parties. Remember to never leave perishable food out for longer than 2 hours as that can become a bacteria breeding ground.

Make a Photo Booth

Use things you have at home to decorate a wall – maybe a bunch of tissue paper or wrapping paper to make “stars.” Use paper plates to make face masks, or perhaps dig into your Halloween or dress-up bin and go to town taking selfies to commemorate the year. Use cardboard boxes to make a background frame with a fun slogan or perhaps to make cardboard cut-out glasses.

Bust out the Games

Make it a game day and go to town on card games like Uno or Go Fish, or if you have older family members consider lengthy games of Risk or Clue. Go really old school by playing musical chairs – there is something fun about musical chairs that gets everyone giggly and giddy.

It’s a Dance Party!

Check out the many dance playlists on your choice of device and clear the living room or dining room or dorm room to make it a dance party! Make it personal by getting everyone together to build your own playlist, and share it with your dearest friends. Consider getting friends or family in on it by video chatting with them while sharing the music.

While collectively, the world is looking forward to a new year and continuing to go forward, don’t forget to celebrate and have fun! It may be 2020, but it is still New Year’s Eve!

What are you doing to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Let us know in the comments!

Two changes to the Army’s physical fitness requirements will remain in place for the 2021 fiscal year. Recruits and Soldiers graduating from initial entrance training courses will no longer be required to pass a fitness test to graduate outside of the general physical testing of the course. In addition, failing scores of the new accepted fitness test of the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) replacing the Physical Fitness Test will not be counted against soldiers.

New recruits or Soldiers graduating from Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, One Station Unit Training, Warrant Office Basic Course and the Basic Officer leader course will no longer be required to pass a fitness test to graduate. This temporary suspension begins with the new fiscal year of October 1, 2020 and will remain in place until September 30, 2021, the end of the fiscal year. This temporary suspension will align the trainees to the fitness test policy of the rest of the Army.

In 2019, the Army began requiring trainees to pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) to graduate from the training courses, allowing a passing grade even if failing one of the events. Beginning October 1, 2020, the ACFT became the gold standard, the only accepted fitness test replacing the Army Physical Fitness Test. The fitness test was made of six events: 3 repetition maximum deadlift (MDL), standing power throw (SPT), hand release push-up – arm extension (HRP), spring-drag-carry (SDC), leg tuck (LTK) and 2-mild run (2MR). The tests were designed to test flexibility, agility, endurance and strength. However, given the decreased availability for training and testing during the pandemic, failing score will not be counted in the 2021 fiscal year.

The new ACFT testing required new equipment and gear to be distributed to all initial military training locations and duty stations. Coupled with the pandemic restrictions in place for several months in 2020, there was decreased time and ability to train for the ACFT. With the equipment now in place in most locations, Soldiers will begin training and using the equipment to take the ACFT. Training resources for preparing for the ACFT are available here.

On November 2, 2020, then Defense Secretary Mark Esper released a memorandum allowing physical fitness attire in the Commissary and Military Exchange facilities. Historically, any physical fitness attire – including yoga pants – has been a no-go at the Commissary. In fact, it is common for some females to keep skirts in the car to throw over the leggings before running into the Commissary to pick up milk or eggs. But now, no additional skirt needed – athleisure is now authorized.

Per the memo, both service-issued PT uniforms and their civilian equivalents can now be worn inside the commissary and exchanges as long as the clothes are “clean, serviceable and in good condition and appropriately modest.” It further delineated that the Secretaries of the individual Military Departments are “authorized to make exceptions to this policy for Service members based on mission requirements and the need to maintain good order and discipline.”

Bases across the world do have varying clothing policies. Commissaries and Exchanges in the beach-destination of Camp Pendleton and tropical Okinawa allow flip-flops while they are seen on showering gear at other bases. The accepted dress code overall is individualized at each base. The November 2, 2020 memo is meant to cover all bases while allowing continued individualization within the service branches as needed for service members. Any specifics for service members will not apply to military dependents, which includes military spouses and children.

While the military collective is not looking to join the ranks of big-box “People of” groups, you are now allowed to go from the gym to the commissary. And yes, it was already happening, but now it is authorized.

By Marguerite Cleveland

The Department of Defense (DoD) recently announced it will begin 5G testing and experimentation at five U.S. military test sites. Awards of $600 million will fund the largest full-scale 5G tests for dual-use applications in the world. Each installation will have a separate objective for the project and partners will include military services, industry leaders, and academic experts. The goal is to advance the 5G capabilities for DoD. The 5 test sites are: Hill Air Force Base, Utah; Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia; Naval Base San Diego, California; and Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, Nevada.

“The Department of Defense is at the forefront of cutting edge 5G testing and experimentation, which will strengthen our Nation’s warfighting capabilities as well as U.S. economic competitiveness in this critical field. Through these test sites, the Department is leveraging its unique authorities to pursue bold innovation at a scale and scope unmatched anywhere else in the world. Importantly, today’s announcement demonstrates the Department’s commitment to exploring the vast potential applications and dual-use opportunities that can be built upon next-generation networks,” said Michael Kratsios, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.

The five bases and their objectives:

• Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), Washington – Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality Training. JBLM’s objective is to field a 5G network that is secure, resilient, and scalable for 5G-enabled Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. This will enhance mission planning, distributed training, and operational use. The industry partners are GBL System Corp., AT&T, Oceus Networks, and Booz-Allen Hamilton.
• Naval Base San Diego (NBSD), California – 5G Smart Warehousing. NBSD’s objective is a Smart Warehouse that is 5G-enabled and focused on transshipment. The goal is to increase the efficiency of naval logistic operations. This project will serve to validate emerging 5G-enabled technologies. Industry partners include AT&T, GE Research, Vectrus Mission Solutions Corporation and Deloitte Consulting LLP.
• Marine Corps Logistics Base (MCLB) Albany, Georgia– 5G Smart Warehousing (Vehicular). MCLB will also develop a smart warehouse to improve the efficiency of logistic operations, vehicular storage and maintenance. Industry partners include Federated Wireless, GE Research, KPMG LLP, and Scientific Research Corporation.
• Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada – Distributed Command and Control. The objective at Nellis to develop the use of 5G technologies for Air, Space, and Cyberspace and to improve survivability for command and control. The industry partner at this site is AT&T
• Hill Air Force Base, Utah – Dynamic Spectrum Utilization. The objective at Hill Air Force Base is to develop a system for airborne radar and 5G cellular telephony to share or coexistence in the 3.13.45 GHz band. Industry partners include: Nokia, General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., Booz Allen Hamilton, Key Bridge Wireless LLC, Shared Spectrum Company and Ericsson.

The $600 million in funding is part of the DoD’s 5G Strategy and part of the roadmap to develop the use of 5G technology. This technology will connect more wireless devices than the current technology allows as well as increase high speeds and quicker response times. A foundational enabler, 5G communications technology is key for all U.S. defense modernization programs and plays an important role in U.S. national and economic security.

By Marguerite Cleveland

Yes, 2020 will have holidays and if you have loved ones stationed or deployed overseas time is running out. The first deadline for a December 25 arrival is November 6.  Here are the 2020 Holiday Shipping Deadlines from the United States Postal Service:

The Postal Service recommends the following mailing and shipping deadlines for expected delivery by Dec. 25 to domestic addresses and Air/Army Post Office/Fleet Post Office/Diplomatic Post Office addresses*:

• Nov. 6   — APO/FPO/DPO (all ZIP Codes) USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 9   — APO/FPO/DPO (ZIP Code 093 only) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail
• Dec. 11 — APO/FPO/DPO (all other ZIP Codes) Priority Mail and First-Class Mail services
• Dec. 15 — USPS Retail Ground service
• Dec. 18 — APO/FPO/DPO (except ZIP Code 093) USPS Priority Mail Express service
• Dec. 18 — First-Class Mail service (including greeting cards)
• Dec. 18 — First-class packages (up to 15.99 ounces)
• Dec. 19 — Priority Mail service
• Dec. 23 — Priority Mail Express* service

Did you know you can order free Military Care Kit online from USPS which contains boxes, tape and labels? There are also a variety of Priority Mail^® APO/FPO Flat Rate Boxes and other mailing supplies at Free Shipping Supplies.

Here are some tips to help you navigate the season:

• Ship Online – Visit USPS.com. You can order supplies, print labels and if you ship using Flat Rate Boxes you can schedule a pickup at your home and avoid the lines at the Post Office. Just note that almost 500,000 consumers will use online services on Dec. 14, 2020 so plan to ship prior to that date.
• USPS Busiest Time – If you must visit the post office know that customer traffic picks up beginning December 7. The week of Dec. 14-21 is predicted to be the busiest mailing, shipping and delivery week.
• Use Click-N-Ship for APO & FPO and sending overseas. Click-N-Ship^® allows you to create Priority Mail International^® and Priority Mail Express International^® postage and address labels. When you send an international package through military and diplomatic mail, follow the destination country’s restriction policies, and include customs forms when necessary. Click-N-Ship will guide you through the customs forms process. Click-N-Ship will alert you to some of the prohibitions and restrictions based on the 5-digit Military Post Office ZIP Code^™ you’re shipping to, but you are responsible for ensuring your package complies with the laws and regulations of the U.S. and the destination country. You often need a customs form to ship overseas. Click-N-Ship will also let you know which customs forms you need.
• Note you can’t ship hand sanitizer or flammable sanitizing wipes overseas.
• Properly prepare your shipment correctly. For international shipments tuck an address inside the box in case the box gets damaged and include delivery and return addresses. Also don’t forget temperatures in the desert can exceed 100 degrees so take that into account when planning a care package.

Properly Address Mail Going to an APO/FPO/DPO

According to the USPS website each shipment to an APO/FPO/DPO needs the recipient’s name, rank, and unit, and the APO/FPO/DPO address with the 9-digit ZIP Code^™. Always include a return address. Mail and shipments must be addressed to a specific person; addressing to “Any Service Member” is no longer permitted. To prevent mail from entering foreign mail networks, do not include city or country names in APO/FPO/DPO shipping addresses. Here are properly addressed shipment examples:

Army/Air Post Office (APO)

PFC JOHN DOE
PSC 3 BOX 4120
APO AE 09021

Fleet Post Office (FPO)

SEAMAN JOSEPH SMITH
UNIT 100100 BOX 4120
FPO AP 96691

Diplomatic Post Office (DPO)

JOHN ADAMS
UNIT 8400 BOX 0000
DPO AE 09498-0048

When you think of basic training in the military what do you think about? The typical movie scene of basic training showcases drill sergeants surrounding recruits in tipped hats, yelling and motivating the recruits. This movie scene is referred to as the “shark attack” within the Army.

The U.S. Army Infantry School has created a new program to use in lieu of the “shark attack.” Gone are the days when Drill Sergeants surround the new recruit and welcome them with in-your-face shouting. This generations old welcome to the Army is at its end and it’s a place a new program called “The First 100 Yards”.

The First 100 Yards was developed in early 2020 by the Infantry School and senior noncommissioned officers of the 198th Infantry Brigade, a unit that conducts Infantry One-Stations Unit Trainings. The First 100 Yards program uses training activities with the aim to instill the core warrior values, attitudes and pride of the Infantry community into the recruit. The ultimate goal with this exercise is to instill confidence in the recruits.

The reason for this change is a historical one. The “shark attack” was developed when the Army was a force made up of draftees. The “shark attack” exercise was used to determine who could stand up to the stresses the job as an infantryman would present. In response to training changes needed due to COVID-19, The First 100 Yards was developed for the all-volunteer military force.

The First 100 Yards program is a five-phase event that occurs the first day of the recruits’ 22-week infantry training. The phases include memorization of unit history and chains of command which will be used within the infantry training, conduction of a resupply mission, performing the new Army Combat Fitness Test and observing an infantry squad and weapons demonstration. The First 100 Yards ends when the drill sergeants march the new recruits to their platoon bays for two weeks of isolated training as part of the safety protocols that were developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Command Sgt. Major Robert Fortenberry, the Command Sergeant Major of the Infantry School at Fort Benning stated “this is not designed to be a hazing event but [to] promote attention to detail and urgency to execute a task in a timely manner.” Furthermore, he states that “this lays the foundation for the next 22 weeks of Infantry training.”

To learn more about The First 100 Yards, Fort Benning has released a video where Sgt. Maj. Robert Fortenberry presents the program in more detail.

Heather Walsh is a mom, Marine wife, Navy child, blogger, and lover of all things crafty and Disney. Professionally, she is a Physician Assistant and writer and has a passion for helping others to stay positive and supported. She has been writing since KidPix was on a floppy disk! She is one of three women who founded MilMomAdventures, sharing travel and lifestyle tips for the military family at www.milmomadventures.com . When she isn’t crafting with her kiddos, going on the next adventure, or writing for MilMomAdventures, she has contributed to NextGen MilSpouse, Daily Mom Military and Military Disney Tips while reheating her first cup of coffee for the tenth time.