Fort Wood making changes as training goes on

(Fort Leonard Wood)–As Americans across the nation make changes to their daily lifestyles due to COVID-19, training units on Fort Leonard Wood have also made adjustments while they continue to conduct the critical mission of maintaining the Army’s readiness to defend the nation.
“I get asked a lot, ‘Why are we still training?’” 3rd Chemical Brigade Commander Col. Adam Hilburgh said. “The Army’s mission is to fight and win our nation’s wars, and in order to do that we need to maintain readiness, and one of the ways we do that for the Army is to provide trained, disciplined, quality Soldiers to the force, and we do that continuously.”
But, while training America’s sons and daughters, Fort Leonard Wood’s three training brigades — the 3rd Chemical Brigade, 1st Engineer Brigade, and the 14th Military Police Brigade – have implemented prudent precautionary measures and mitigation protocols to protect everyone.
According to the three brigade commanders, some of the new procedures in place include: trainees being screened before arriving at the Military Entrance Processing Station; while processing there; and again when they arrive at reception. Other measures include no company- or platoon-sized formations; more frequent and thorough cleaning of areas after every use; and spacing out bunks in the barracks. In addition, trainees march and perform physical training in small groups with appropriate distance.
Additional hand-washing stations have also been placed across post and at entrances of dining facilities. To maintain optimal social distancing, meal times have been staggered so fewer trainees are in each dining facility at any given time, and to-go meals are prepared to avoid large gatherings.
For those in training, adjustments are being made to limit physical contact between students and instructors, even implementing virtual training whenever possible.
Initial entry training units — basic combat training and advanced initial training — will experience these reduction measures during the time that is historically the busiest season. The importance of Fort Leonard Wood’s training mission is magnified in light of the surplus of recruits the Army had this year, after a decrease in recruiting in years prior.