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Transcript of Facebook Live COVID-19 Town Hall Live-streamed Tuesday, 7 April, 2020

from the

MCoE/Fort Benning Public Affairs Office, Suite W-141, McGinnis-Wickam Hall

Time of live-stream: 1600-1706 hours approx.

Panel:

• Maj. Gen. Gary M. Brito, commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning

• Col. Dawson A. Plummer, commander, 194th Armored Brigade • Col. Dave Voorhies, commander, 198th Infantry Brigade

Moderator:

• Benjamin L. Garrett, Chief of Public Affairs, MCoE/Fort Benning

Link to town hall meeting:

https://www.facebook.com/FortBenningMCoE/videos/515472535800960/?hc_location=ufi

MODERATOR:

"Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us for the Maneuver Center of Excellence Fort Benning

Facebook Town Hall Live about the COVID-19 virus. I'm Ben Garrett, the Maneuver Center of

Excellence Public Affairs Officer and your moderator for our town hall. Today, our panel will

provide you with an update, and address questions submitted by you, but first we'll have some

opening comments from our panel.

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"Maj. Gen. Gary M. Brito will lead our panel and update everyone regarding actions we've taken

to protect our Soldiers, our families and civilians who live and work here, as well as our

community partners.

"Joining us on the panel are the training brigade commanders, the officers responsible for the

One-Station Unit Training for all of our initial-entry trainees who have volunteered to become

the next Armor, Cav scouts and Infantry Soldiers for the U.S. Army.

"The brigade commanders are Col. Dave Voorhies, 198th Infantry Brigade commanding officer,

and Col. Dawson Plummer, the 194th Armor training brigade commanding officer."

MODERATOR turns over to Maj. Gen. Brito for opening comments.

MAJ. GEN. BRITO greets audience, then:

"...I will tell you about 95 percent of the questions focused on training, hence the theme we're

gonna follow today bringing the training brigade commanders, and some of the others we'll get

to as well that don't relate to training...

"A little bit of context since our last meeting, correction, since our last town hall. As you [word

indistinct] know and I very much appreciate the support of all of our Soldiers, families and

civilians in the implementation of our General Order No. 1, which specifically talked to some

restricted movement, some of the closures we have on post, just some of the things I've asked for

all of us to follow in support of prevention of the spread of this COVID-19 disease. So I

appreciate all your support on that.

"Also, and complementary, our G-O No. 1, is complementary to the governor's shelter-in-place

order, which came out last Friday...and at this time remains in effect...

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"I cannot tell you whether that shelter-in-place order from the governor will be extended or not.

But I can tell you just like we will do, they'll conduct a risk assessment to see what the status of

the state is, and how the virus is spreading in the state and throughout all the respective counties.

And I'm quite sure the governor will do the right thing and adjust appropriately if needed.

"I can say that our General Order No. 1, our timeline does not have a suspense on it right now.

And I will keep that in place as long as there's a risk potentially to Fort Benning and

complementary to whatever rules or guidelines are coming out from our local cities, in this case

Mayor Henderson and the city of Columbus.

"Again, I do very much appreciate everybody's support. One hundred percent recognize this is

disruptive to all of us. Will reinforce that our retirees, which are very much part of the team,

retain their access to post. And just like I've asked for the citizens, retirees, military, civilian, on

post and off post: limit your movement, conduct your essential activities, and stay home.

"With regards to our DoDEA schools. Right now they will remain closed, physically, the doors

closed, through the 24th of April. As many of our parents and students know that have continue

their satellite and their virtual training in classes, at least through that time, we'll revisit this next

week after I coordinate with the respective principals and superintendant, on how much further

schools may go, stay closed beyond the 24th. That date is to be determined. Very much a team

effort and a team decision, regionally with some of our other military installations, on the post as

well.

"I would like to go over just a couple of things then I'm gonna turn it over to the brigade

commanders, introduce themselves very quickly, and then we wanna take Q&A.

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"Earlier this week, actually Sunday evening, the Department of Defense, the Secretary of

Defense, gave some guidance for all the United States military on the wearing of mask,

protective mask, to prevent spreading of the disease.

"One, them transmitting it, and possibly risking themself in transmission as well. Very simple

order.

"I will tell ya, consistent with the military guidance now, all of our medical professionals will

wear their medical-grade protective mask with a face mask and face shields.

"And our supply priority goes to them, whether it's in our Martin Army Hospital, or the medical

professionals down at the training brigades or other military training facilities. They'll have the

medical-grade protective mask.

"Guidance for all the uniform Soldiers, and asking for the support of the civilians and family as

well, to have some other protective gear on their faces, whether' it's made from a upgrade paper

of some type, or some type of material.

"We're working with all the units to ensure that we have something effective, that covers your

face and nose and protects yourself from viral spread.

"Now...One, we're are asking that you don't use the old uniforms that may have been treated with

some of the fire-retardant material, which in essence could cause some type of poisoning or

something as you breath it in.

"So the units know that as well. I'm also asking that that mask, I can say for sure for the military

and ask for the same for the family members, needs to be tasteful. So logos, I think you get what

I mean, the animated stuff that can be on that mask, we don't want to go there.

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"And quite frankly, I ask for that continued support, to include whatever I'm gonna wear.

"I think the immediate impact you'll see is, the Soldiers, when they're in an environment where

they cannot promote the social distancing, like I have here with the other brigade commanders,

he or she should wear the mask. Whether it's working at the access control point, going shopping

in the malls, or the commissary, what have you, wear the mask. And it's very effective. Will be

effective and consistent at this point with the CDC guidance that has been given to us.

"Additionally, the Training and Doctrine Command at the guidance of the Department of the

Army, yesterday implemented a tactical pause on the shipment of Future Soldiers coming into

the Army.

"At this point that tactical pause will last 14 days, and could be extended based off the conditions

and the risk that maybe coming with the COVID-19 virus.

"Now you may ask yourself 'Why?' This impacts the entire Army. Not just Fort Benning. But

more importantly has a bigger impact on the four Army training centers, of which we're one of

'em. Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina, the

other places that train troops at this time.

"The latter three...all train, execute basic combat training, here at Fort Benning and the brigade

commanders will talk to it, we're the only ones that conduct the One-Station Unit Training,

which ensures a lot longer the Soldiers don't come here just for Basic Combat Training and ship

somewhere else for their Advanced training.

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"They do all of that here in one-stop-shop, here at Fort Benning. So what does that mean to us?

Long and short, across all the training centers and for the Army, to include the recruiting stations

and home stations, that new Soldiers will work with the recruiter and ship to Benning, a tactical

pause, to allow us to continue to strengthen our thickness to our medical support systems and all

those support systems that support the recruitment of Soldiers, the movement of Soldiers, the

transport of Soldiers and the reception of Future Soldiers, civilians in this case, when they get to

the Army training centers, and we'll continue to train them.

"Some of the questions we'll have asked, are what happens when they get to Fort Benning or Fort

what have you. Our brigade commanders will talk through that.

"Again this is a very prudent move for the United States Army. Impacts the four training centers

and all this United States Army. And this gives some time for the systems to get in place, and is a

very prudent protection measure, as all of the United States, recruiting stations included, of

course, continue to combat the spread of this virus.

"So with that what I'd like to is turn it over to my right, your left, for a very quick introduction by

the brigade commanders, then we're gonna transition to Q&A. Thank you"

"Dawson?"

COL. PLUMMER:

"Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. And thank you all for inviting us into your homes.

"I'm Col. Dawson Plummer, I'm the commander of the 194th Armor[ed] Brigade. And I just

wanna give you a quick rundown. Our brigade actually has the reception battalion.

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"We also train the 19 Kilo armor crewmen. The 19 Delta Cav scouts, 91 Alphas, which is our

tank mechanics, the 91 Mike, which is our Bradley mechanics. We also have the Hotel 8,

advanced recovery course. And I do want to commend our center of gravity, our drill sergeants

here at the pointed end of the spear, who actually do the training, followed by the instructors,

also followed by our senior NCOs, and our commanders, who are all out fighting this virus and

making sure that we still continue training your Soldiers.

"Also I want to mention that this is the only brigade in the entire United States Army inventory

designed to train these particular MOSs. Thank you."

MAJ. GEN.BRITO:

"Dave?"

COL. VOORHIES:

"Good afternoon, thank you, sir. I'm Col Dave Voorhies and I represent the 198th Infantry

Brigade, representing 9 battalions, around 1,600 cadre and over 7,500 trainees in training

currently. We train the 22-week Infantry POI, as well as the Infantry Mortar Leader Course.

"Now, before I get into what we do, I am incredibly proud of our leaders, our drill sergeants and

our trainees, for navigating this difficult time.

"I can tell you personally that morale is high and training is done to standard, every day.

"We focus on three things.

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"Number one, we protect the force. We do that by creating the 'Sand Hill Bubble' as I call it,

through social distancing, adherence to wear of masks, high hygiene, and screening and

monitoring daily, by our primary instructors or drill sergeants.

"Secondly, we're mission-focused. We are the Infantry pipeline for the enlisted force for the

United States Army Forces Command and the United States Army Special Operations

Command.

"And third, every day we triage and train. We're a conditions-based unit. We train to high

standards, and we've got very, very focused efforts, every day, to care for the safety and welfare

of your trainees, in training, as well as our cadre, doing that training.

"We all do this with the end-state of producing and building Infantry Soldiers that are able to

fight, win and survive upon unit arrival. Thank you, sir."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thank you, and Ben, before we transition to the Q&A, and team on the town hall, I mentioned

last time that I actually want to provide some more time for Q&A. But this message is for not

only the parents that have entrusted us with your Soldiers but the families and Soldiers and

civilians here at Fort Benning as well.

"I mentioned in my last bullet there was a 14-day tactical pause in the shipment of Future

Soldiers to Fort Benning. Please do not mix that up with training here at Fort Benning. There is

not a pause of the training that we're conducting here at Fort Benning. For the Soldiers that we

have, that are here now, they'll continue to train and continue to be trained, whether it's week 2 or

week 22 of the Infantry OSUT, and the same to the 19-series, the Armor OSUT as well.

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"Same for the Soldiers that may be going through Airborne School, that'll soon go through

Ranger School, the ones that are in Officer Candidate schools and the variety of functional

schools that we have. And we'll talk through the details of some of that training, throughout.

"So I offer that up to the families that are stationed here. Very supportive of us. To the Soldiers

that both brigade commanders talked to, specifically the leaders and drill sergeants as well, and

to the many parents in all 50 states that are watching this evening. So with that, Ben, I'll turn it

over to you."

MODERATOR reads question: "Are all recruits in Basic or AIT being tested, whether or not

they are showing symptoms of COVID-19? Statistical modelers are beginning to suggest that

up to six times the number of confirmed cases are carriers of the virus and did not exhibit

serious if any symptoms. In your last presentation, Maj. Gen. Brito, you indicated that DoD

will no longer release information on the number of confirmed cases. If a recruit is

determined to be positive, no matter how serious, will the recruit's family be notified?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure, that's a great question. I appreciate that. I'm gonna break it into two parts.

"Starting with the first part. Not all Future Soldiers will be tested upon arrival. But I will say,

though, there's three levels of screening.

"One, they're gonna be in constant contact with their recruiter. Before they even leave their

kitchen table and go to respective mode of transportation heading to Fort Benning, or any of the

training centers, quite frankly.

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"So that's one level of screening. Before they leave the respective MEP station they'll get another

level of screening as well. That's a temperature check, a series of questions to determine their

exposure to any possible threat.

"And it could be as simple as 'Hey, were you near anybody that was exposed?' Or 'Did you go to

one of these countries, foreign countries that was high on the threat level?' Or 'How do you feel?'

And if they answer yes to any of those, they're not gonna be shipped to Fort Benning.

"So in essence I've just given you two levels of screening.

"When they're put on their respective mode of transportation, here to Fort Benning or any other

of the training centers as well, they'll be met, in our case at the airport, or at a bus station or a

van ride or somethin', before they arrive at Fort Benning and get a third screening.

"So very comfortable with the levels of screening and quite frankly if there's any indicator or any

hunch that he or she may be sick or ill or have the virus, they're not gonna join their respective

formation and they'll be put in some level of self-quarantine or monitoring as well, with our

medical professionals.

"To date, I can say for the last month, really, of our last, for sure of our last four town halls, I'm

very pleased with the way our reception battalion, the drill sergeants, the whole process, has been

working so far.

"The second part of the question, you are correct, I did mention, I think it was last town hall or

the one before, that Department of Defense will no longer be releasing the names of active-duty

Soldiers, of Soldiers that have been tested positive.

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"So we do track that data, and we provide it to our higher headquarters or the service in this case,

the Army for us. And they'll capture that in the aggregate, and it will be released at some

appropriate times if [word indistinct] called upon.

"Now, more importantly and closer to home, yes. If a Soldier tests positive, one, through the

Soldier, of which we'll certainly allow communication through the cellphone, and through one of

our medical professionals and leaders, the family would and should, be notified that your Soldier

has tested positive and here's what we're doing with him or her to give him the proper medical

attention. That's what's most important. He or she will get the proper medical attention.

"Now I'd offer up that we treat this no differently than we would any other injury. If a Soldier

hurts his back or leg on an obstacle course, he or she is given an opportunity to call you. One,

they get the proper medical attention. And two, we will continue to take care of them. So, that is

just the right thing to do, whether governed by policy or not. Thank you."

MODERATOR reads question: " What is being done to boost the immune systems of Soldiers

in training and other military personnel on base to help protect them against the virus, as it is

being reported that Georgia has been targeted as an upcoming hotspot for COVID-19?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...I believe Georgia's floating around 6,400 cases in the state right now. It's not at the top of the

list across all 50 states and being the red-hot spots, but it's definitely a region that's growin' to

include the states to our south and our north, and west of us as well. But specifically to the

question, I'm gonna turn it over to Col. Voorhies in this case because he has a big population of

trainees, and even though they both have a foot in this camp, I'll allow him to talk to it."

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COL. VOORHIES:

"Thank you, sir...Human performance, the stress on human performance increases the immune

system. By that I mean we look at the human body as a machine. We work the machine, we feed

the machine, and we rest the machine. When I say work the machine, we do hard PT, six days a

week, every week for 22 weeks.

"We take a raw recruit, a civilian in this case, called the trainee, and we make them into an

Infantry Soldier. To do that requires a lotta work, a lot of functional fitness, and they get a lotta

foot marches, as well as a lotta privation in the field, where they learn how to fight, how to

survive, and how to win.

"Secondly, we feed them a 'go-green' strategy in our dining facilities. Now because of the

COVID threat, in enclosed spaces, and the vectors that might be in dining facilities, we take out.

We take out every day ,whether it's a Meal Ready to Eat, already packaged, packaged months

ago, and, the food that comes out of the DFAC is heavily in vegetables, fruits, and proteins. No

junk food. We don't do any soft drinks or any deserts of that nature. It's all good, healthy food.

And generally trainees lose anywhere between five and 25 pounds during the training cycle.

"And finally we rest the machine. By regulation, most trainees get seven hours of sleep, every

night. And that's true for most of the training events. We take that very seriously. All three of

those things, with the body as a machine system, we build that immune system over time.

"And lastly, for those vitamin K- and vitamin D- deficient civilians that show up for training, we

give them a performance readiness bar which they take at night. And it has multiple vitamins, D

and K in particular, to help build strong bones and muscles. Thank you, sir."

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MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Okay, thank you, Dave. And if I could add, I'm sure there's men in the audience that have been

through Basic Training, or One-Station Unit Training, many, many years ago, and very familiar

with what the drill sergeant can do and does do with the Soldier. Bottom line, we're enforcing

some professionalism. If you can give just a few more minutes for a Soldier to eat his or her meal

before they get up and carry on, it's helped as Dave said with the holistic physical fitness. Really

outside of the COVID-19, but that in essence is helpin' them with the COVID-19 threat as well.

Thank you, Ben."

MODERATOR reads question: "For Soldiers in training that do not have access to the

Internet, how are they getting their spiritual guidance during this time?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"That's a great question. Not only for Soldiers but that's been a challenge for all of us who may

have been used to going to, or were going to, a physical church or religious center of some type.

Just like the rest of the nation now, but we were very much hit hard with our chaplain leaders,

religious leaders here at Benning. But what I'd like to do is turn it over to Dawson Plummer to

get some specifics on that, please."

COL. PLUMMER:

"Thank you ,sir. Well first I'd wanna...let you know that every battalion has a chaplain and these

chaplains counsel and minister on a daily basis and many are actually trained in several different

faiths. And all of them have the capability to counsel these Soldiers in basic, general aspects.

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"And although on Sundays most of the services occur, they're also able to conduct services

throughout the week, and are also able to conduct counseling throughout the week as well, at the

private or the Soldier In Training availability. Thank you, sir."

MODERATOR reads question: "Is Fort Benning planning to continue accepting Soldiers on

base for these trainings amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, are they modifying class sizes

and how is Fort Benning planning to maintain the CDC's guidelines for social distancing

while Soldiers are in holdover, waiting for their classes to start?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure...I'd like to start with something I covered in the beginning. Now we do have this 14-day

tactical pause. So within the 14 days new Future Soldiers will not be arriving at Fort Benning or

any of the other training centers.

"Let's fast-forward to when that tactical pause ends. We will continue to receive Future Soldiers

then. And we'll also, even within this current window, the tactical pause, continue to train the

Soldiers that we have now.

"Now, we have definitely taken in all the CDC guidance, and other leader guidance, military

guidance, to enforce social distancing, physical distancing, as best we can, with all of what I'll

call the programs of instruction and training that we do.

"And that is empowered down to the actual cadre member, the drill sergeant, the brigade

commanders, the company commanders, the first sergeants, to put it simple in my words do the

right thing, to prevent any undue risk of this virus spread.

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"And that includes just the way we train and execute things, it may be done differently. One of

the examples that the brigade commanders gave on how a Soldier eats.

"We've done the same on how a unit conducts PT, physical fitness or Physical Training, maybe

not so much in a big group, '40 inches all around,' which many have heard before. But

individually spreading thing[s] out, spreading the formation.

"That's just but one example, in this case physical fitness, on how we're modifying [word

indistinct] training, whether it's for the basic trainee going through One-Station Unit Training, or

as best we can, the Soldiers that are goin' through crewmen training on the tank or Bradley

Vehicle or Stryker, or Airborne School as well.

"The instructors are empowered to make the modifications they need to do, whether a two-day

program turns into four, doing what they need to do in order to make this safe, and throughout all

of the training will continue to check the temperature and talk to the Soldiers, see how they're

feeling. That same level of preparedness and protection apply to the cadre that executing the

training as well.

"The latter part of the question, are Soldiers in holdover status? I'll give an example. We have

Soldiers that may have completed or did complete all of their One-Station Unit Training

graduation requirements, and I know this, I believe this goes into a future question we're gonna

have, but they are gonna continue to be trained.

"We've also looked at the spatial footage, or the area between their bunks. That's worked as well.

So the cadre have done a very good job to mitigate those threats, and to date, it's gone quite well

for us. We cannot spike the ball.

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"This'll continue to be a threat and I'm not gonna put an end date on it, but the leaders are

engaged, and empowered to make this happen and manage it appropriately, and we'll continue to

look at it daily. Thank you, Ben."

MODERATOR reads question: "If a Soldier In Training is having symptoms of COVID-19,

would family be notified regarding the testing and, or, how they're doing? Would the Soldier

In Training be able to call home? What would that do to the rest of the platoon going forward

with their training? Would a sick Soldier In Training be re-cycled? What is the protocol

developed in this situation? Are drill sergeants monitoring signs of symptoms? And if anyone

has any symptoms that possibly could be coronavirus, what is the protocol? Scary that some

Soldier In Training may not want to inform their drill sergeant they don't feel well. While we

want the Soldier In Training to continue Basic Combat Training, I have concerns about the

availability of hand-washing, and cleaning of the barracks. Seems like it's business as usual

and not enough precautions are being implemented. Not everyone has severe symptoms, and

some, not all, but could still be spreading, through contact with surfaces."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...For one, I want to say thank you, because it sounds like it came from a very caring parent. We

care as much for the Soldiers that you've sent to us. I'm gonna have one of our brigade

commanders talk to that, but I would like to give a little context to the questions first. About

four weeks ago, or actually before our very first town hall, when we saw just like the rest of the

nation that this COVID threat was becoming a big issue that we had to deal with, we did take a

pause-ex day, to clean, and look at our facilities and see what would have to be adjusted to allow

us to continue our mission of training under a different environment.

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"It is definitely not business as usual. And that guidance applied to this headquarters that I'm in

now, all the other tenant organizations as well, and our training brigades.

"With that I'm gonna phone a friend, happen to be sittin' right next to me, Dawson Plummer.

Talk to some of those details, please."

COL. PLUMMER:

"Well thank you, sir...let me take some time out to provide you some detail as to what we're

doing here right now at Fort Benning to protect our Soldiers from the COVID-19.

"First, all of our trainees that arrived at Fort Benning arrive at our reception station, and this is

where they are actually having their temperature taken, we're looking at the source of where they

came from, if their shipping origin is one of the hot-spots for the virus, and who they may have

come in contact with during their travels. So that's what we call the screening process at

reception station and that occurs on a daily basis.

"Also, our military, and cadre, alright?, are actually screened every day. And also under the

orders that General Brito already mentioned, under G-O No. 1, where they're limited to traveling

to and from work, and also to those essential areas such as the grocery store and the gas station,

and we're also supporting the governor of Georgia's directive for shelter-in-place as it pertains to

going off-post as well.

"Also, our battalions are doing deep cleaning, sanitizing the barracks on a daily basis, while

increasing our laundry services. We'll also continue to practice social distancing, and we're no

longer eating in our dining facilities. We're all taking carry-out, and utilizing MREs or the

mermite-type meals generated by our dining facilities.

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"We've also increased the length of our field training exercises where applicable.

"And Fort Benning has actually established remote sites where we're conducting our quarantines.

And if a Soldier exhibits signs of COVID-19, they're allowed to go to those locations and they're

also allowed to have their cellphones so they can contact their family members.

"And we've also issued every Soldier hand sanitizer. We've established several hand-washing

stations throughout the training and garrison [word indistinct].

"And Soldiers are also adhering to the CDC guidelines where washing their hands for 20 seconds

or greater.

"All Soldiers are also required to self-report. That is a direct order, from all the commands. And

all the drill sergeants screen their Soldiers on a daily basis that are assigned to them.

"In addition to the daily screening, the physical training that they receive in the morning actually

reveals whether or not they're feeling well or not, anyway.

"And one part that concerns all of the Soldiers in training: recycling. First of all, I want you to

understand that the health and well-being of our Soldiers, is paramount. It is the number one

priority, followed by training.

"So after discovering that a Soldier may exhibit those signs, then yes, they are put in a

quarantine. They are receiving the medical care and attention that they need to, to recover, and if

it just so happens that they test negative, they are returned to training. And the cadre will do

everything that they can to get that Soldier back up to speed so that they may graduate with their

class on time.

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"And last, if we do have a trainee that does actually test positive, you need to know that Fort

Benning will utilize every single medical resource necessary to help our Soldiers recover from

the virus. Our Soldiers are very, very important to us, and we will make sure that our Soldiers

come through.

"And then on top of that, once our Solders recover, then they will [be] sent back out to training,

and we will get them right at the spot where they left off at, so they can continue their mission.

And all this is done to protect the health and welfare of our Soldiers. Thank you."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thanks, Dawson."

MODERATOR reads question: "I am a Future Soldier who was set to ship from California

but was told by my recruiter that my ship date had been pushed back until mid-April, maybe. I

quit my job and am wondering if I should apply for unemployment insurance in case my ship

date gets pushed back again."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Ben, let me take that one on. First of all I apologize for the disruption. The enemy got a vote in

this case and it's COVID-19.

"I cannot speak to your specific recruiting station, the status of your town right now, on how

impacted it's been on the virus, but I can say that several recruiting stations and MEP stations

across the nation have been impacted. Which is simply impacting the movement of the Soldiers

to the Army training centers.

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"So in this case, to your direct question, what I would do right away is get a hold of your

recruiter, and have him or her confirm when they plan to ship you from California to Fort

Benning in this case. If it's gonna be a month or so, and again I'm sorry that this has disrupted

your life, as it has many, but if you do need to apply for unemployment, that may be something

that you look into, but contact your recruiter right away. I'm sure he or she can tell you when

you're set to ship to us, especially given what I've put up front about the 14-day tactical pause on

the shipment of new Soldiers.

"Your recruiter can also inform you about a couple of programs that the Army has, is testing

right now or may very well soon implement, to prevent the disruption that Future Soldiers are

gonna go through, Future Soldier to Active Duty program and some other things that are out

there to help those in extreme cases, not everybody, but extreme cases such as yours, may

qualify for.

"A long answer to contact your recruiter now, find out when you're gonna ship, it's different for

every state, different for every locality, and then go from there based off, one, if you should

apply for unemployment or two, if you will be eligible [for] some of the programs that the U.S.

Army Recruiting Command is offering for Future Soldiers, active duty. Thank you."

MODERATOR reads question: "My son is in the basic Infantry training brigade and turning

Green during April. Will they be allowed to go on their own? Are Soldiers that have turned or

are turning Green during April still allowed to be released for the weekend to spend time with

the family? And if so, it defeats the purpose of the sacrifice families are doing by not spending

the weekend with them to avoid the exposure to the community,"

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MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"That's a very good one and again from a very caring parent. I thank you for that. I'm gonna turn

it over to Col. Dave Voorhies to answer it. On the latter half of the questions, consistent with the

guidance we gave in the very, very beginning of the COVID threat and protecting our Soldiers

and some of the harsh decisions we've had to make on limiting graduations, limiting family

activities, anything that blocked big group gatherings. So Dave, you take that on for me, please."

COL. VOORHIES:

"Yes, sir....Will your son be allowed to go off base after April 10th? I'm afraid not.

"Based upon the 'San Hill Bubble' that I described, and the critical time in this national state of

emergency with the coronavirus possibly peaking over the next couple of weeks, it's a very

tenuous time right now to be able to try to keep our trainees safe, and their health and welfare is

paramount.

"You know, Turning Green ceremonies, Turning Blue ceremonies and graduations are very

important to me, too. Personally...And it's very, very important that you're a part of it. To try to

mitigate not being able to see your Soldier, we live-stream on Facebook just like this is right

now, those events, so you can see your Soldier get awarded that blue cord and graduate. And

when they turn green they get the black beret and the Army patch. A very, very big milestone in

their young lives, and in your family as well. It's not lost on me the importance of this, and I'm

very sorry that you won't be available to come off post at that time. Sir."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thank you. Or, families on post at that time to visit. Thank you very much."

22

MODERATOR reads question: "Are the Airborne, Pathfinder and Ranger classes scheduled

for April, going to occur?

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"... if we have a big enough class load and all of those students have been through at least 14

days of some level of self-monitoring, we can execute that course. Long and short of it, all of 'em

will be conditions-based. We have the resources to execute them if we have the students to fill

them, that have been through a level of 14 days of self-monitoring, either here or from the unit

that sends them to us, we'll execute it.

"I would like to put a little emphasis on that. I mentioned up front and several town halls ago as

well, we are not gonna stop training. We will continue to build readiness for the Army and we

will continue to support our part of the mission for the Army and Department of Defense. In all

of that, the proper prevention measures and protection against the COVID-19 threat will be

implemented...We'll make the smart call. Thank you."

MODERATOR reads question: "Is the OCS, the Officer Candidate School training schedule

being altered in any way to accommodate the unique coronavirus situation that is currently

happening? My Soldier's at Fort Benning and was supposed to start OCS on March 30th but

didn't. When can I expect him to graduate?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO says schedules of some courses, including OCS, have had to be adjusted,

speaks of precautionary 14 days of self-monitoring as one of the factors governing attendance,

then:

23

"The commandants and the commanders have the resources and the decision space to make those

adjustments. We will and can if we have to, move classes to the right, postpone them for a

couple of weeks, or cancel them if the conditions are such that it should not be executed.

"In this case, OCS is being very closely monitored...We know exactly where every student has

come from. If they've gone through their proper self-monitoring for 14 days. And then we'll build

the organization and start the training...Thank you, Ben."

MODERATOR reads question: "My fiancé recently graduated Basic Combat Training at Fort

Jackson at the end of March. His original orders were to report to Fort Benning for OCS,

following graduation. However, he is still waiting for updated orders amidst these rapidly

changing times. It is my understanding that an exception has been made to the DoD travel ban

to allow for the movement of Soldiers for continued training. For example, Basic Combat

Training to OCS and AIT."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure...I can tell you, we have direct communications with Fort Jackson in this case...So within

the guidance and the space we have under the DoD travel ban, yes, those Soldiers can be moved

from Fort Jackson to execute Officer Candidate School, at a date to be scheduled.

"At commander-to-commander level, or commandant to the commander at Fort Jackson, direct

communications, know exactly who these Soldiers are, when they graduated at Basic Combat

Training, and they will go through a level of self-monitoring, 14 days at Fort Jackson. Currently,

they will be moved, I'll use the word clean transportation, most likely a bus from Fort Jackson to

Fort Benning, and they'll receive a second medical screening before they're put into a class and

start the training for Officer Candidate School. Thanks, Ben."

24

MODERATOR reads question: "Is there a reason why OSUT, or One-Station Unit trainees in

Delta, 2-29, have been very limited in phone and mail access since turning Green about six

weeks ago? If it's to keep them focused on training or because they are in trouble, we

understand. However, we see parents from other One-Station Unit Training companies getting

long phone calls each week. We're worried about our son and the other guys in Delta 2-29,

who graduate in about a month. They're all worried about us, but we don't get much time to

reassure them."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure, thanks, Ben. Even though either one of our brigade commanders can answer that question,

I'm gonna turn it over to the brigade that owns that battalion that it's in, and again, another great

question from a very caring parent and I thank you for that. And I acknowledge the disruption

that all this COVID virus has brought for all of us. Dave, you take that on, please."

COL. VOORHIES:

"Yes, sir, thank you. And after I read this question I looked into this personally. This is not

business as usual. By that I mean, you're Soldier doesn't normally have a cellphone, or have

access to cellphones, during the first 10 weeks of training, basically the Basic Combat Training

portion of One-Station Unit Training.

"And then every weekend during their eight-hour pass they're given access to phones in Black

and Gold phases, which is the latter half, or the AIT, Advanced Individual portion training of the

OSUT program.

25

"But these are challenging times, and the guidance I've told every battalion and company

commander is, give your trainee access to their cellphone on the weekend so they can call their

loved ones.

"Now in this case it sounds like a parent. We cannot force what the trainees or who the trainees

contact on their phones. But what I can do for ya, is if you really have not heard from your

Soldier and you want to hear from 'em, call the commander. Call the company commander and

call the battalion commander.

"Sir, it's one of the things that we don't know what goes on in a household or what goes on at

home. So please contact the command. Either on social media, on their own Facebook sites,

'cause every company's got a Facebook site, or call the commander personally and ask to speak

to your Soldier. They will offer that cellphone coverage, to that Soldier. These are anxiety-ridden

times. I have kids. And it's important that you hear from 'em. Thank you."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thanks, Dave."

MODERATOR reads question: "Is there a possibility that trainees who are graduating this

week and have been assigned to a base in Europe will be reassigned to a stateside base? If they

are not reassigned, what are the chances of them being able to see family before they are sent

overseas?"

26

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure, thanks, Ben. There is a possibility but not likely that they're gonna be reassigned. For a

little bit of context, the travel ban, the stop-movement, is really, when I say stop-movement,

when they graduate and stay here for a while, that's impacting all of the Army.

"So if there's a shortage in X-X unit at Fort Stewart, Georgia, it's the same in Stuttgart, Germany

right now, to give two examples.

"Now depending on the readiness level of that respective unit, through the branch managers,

through Human Resources Command, it is possible that a Soldier could get reassigned, but I

wouldn't give that a likely opportunity that they're gonna get reassigned.

"Now to the latter half of the question, under current conditions, no, to consistent with the

question on family days and visitation, post-graduation, a family won't be able to see their loved

one before he or she is transported overseas. Transportation, post-graduation within this travel

ban, is something that within the Training and Doctrine Command and Army we're working it as

well.

"And there'll be some cases where we can ship Soldiers to the respective units. So far that

is...here within the continental United States. But again, I'm sorry, in this case, there'll be no

visitation within the current conditions, not necessarily tied to the same window, but the current

conditions that drove us to make the decision of no family days or graduations, large group stuff.

And that's all we have. Thank you."

MODERATOR: reads question: "Can you tell me how to go about sending a gift package to a

Soldier at this location?"

27

MAJ. GEN. BRITO says he'll give question to Col. Plummer.

COL. PLUMMER:

"Yes, sir, thank you. And there's a couple different scenarios here. So, when we have trainees

that graduate and they're still waiting for their opportunity to ship, we want to encourage you not

to send packages at that point in time. Because the schedule's very fluid.

"And what winds up happening is, by the time your package gets here your trainee already has

orders to then move out to a next duty station. So I'd like to encourage you to wait until they get

to their next duty station. It's gonna happen pretty soon. And from there they will contact you

with the address and contact information for you to send those packages.

"And also just to make sure, reiterate though, if it's a new trainee coming to the installation,

they'll be able to contact you after they come through our processing station and then get to their

basic training battalion, where they'll give you the information on where to send packages.

Thank you, sir."

MODERATOR: reads question: "My question is, what is the date so far for cancelled events,

including family days, graduations and others? I understand that May 11th has been set for

current circumstances. Has the date changed? I'm asking for those who may be planning for

visitation to Fort Benning close to those dates."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure...May 11th is the far end of the current stateside travel ban for military Soldiers not

moving to different stations. And May 25th is the date when OCONUS, overseas stations as

well.

28

"I will tell you that the conditions for graduations and other events is just that, conditions-based.

So if it goes to May 13th to May 15th and the conditions are such with the viral spread that we

still do not want to have large events, family days and graduations, we won't.

"At this point it's anchored to the date of May 11th but not necessarily tied at the hip with the

date of May 11th. May 11th and May 25th respectively, stateside and overseas movement, travel

ban, for Department of Defense, the decision on the family days, large graduations and other

events that bring large gatherings, was a conditions-based threat made from the installation. And

I know many other installations within our Training and Doctrine Command, Army training

centers, have made the same.

"If those conditions should change tomorrow, and there's zero threat of the viral spread here at

Fort Benning and the counties surrounding us, then at my level we can make the appropriate

decision to bring those events back.

"I would like to add, through our social media, and at this level, and definitely through those of

the brigade commands and the battalions and I know some of the training companies as well,

have a variety of venues that they put out news. The families'll be notified well ahead of time,

that hey, on such, such and date, we'll execute a graduation or a family day, and you are allowed

to come on post.

"One-hundred percent understand how much lead time all the families need to make those

decisions – travel plans, buy tickets, the whole bit. Very sensitive to that. I have a son in the

Army. I get it. And I'm a dad and a husband as well. I understand. Thank you."

29

MODERATOR: reads question: "My trainee is slated to complete his One-Station Unit Train

May 6th or 7th with a Turning Blue ceremony. I understand that the trainees will be held until

May the 11th. What is the plan for the Guard individuals afterward? Mine is supposed to

attend Airborne, but with the virus and all the shutdowns, will he be able to return home for

the time being, especially considering all the shutdowns have likely pushed many of your

classes in to holdover status. I'm just hoping to gain some clarity on what to expect."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO turns question to Col. Voorhies.

COL. VOORHIES:

"Bottom line, the graduation, Turning Blues and the Turning Green dates have not changed.

They are as scheduled. Now, the National Guard being a critical multi-component piece to the

Army's response to this threat, nationwide, most Guard Soldiers, and it depends on the state,

want them back. It depends on the state though. So I would encourage you, that Soldier, to

contact the National Guard unit, and see if you can attend the follow-on Airborne and Ranger

training, or excuse me, in this case, Airborne training.

"The Army does not shut down, Soldiers never quit, and Airborne and Ranger School continues.

For the immediate future, it's only for on-station trainees and Soldiers. So, with your Guard

trainee getting ready to graduate, he should be able to class up at the next Airborne School. Sir?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"And you hit it all, Dave. And for the Guard it's largely about funding. And we're workin' with

all the respective states. Have a great National Guard liaison upstairs, who works all these eaches

and the collective issues as well.

30

"It's about the funding and whether your respective state will continue to fund you to allow you

to stay here for the follow-on schools. So it will take you beyond the 22 weeks...Thank you,

Ben."

MODERATOR reads question: "I'm a Soldier with the Wisconsin National Guard who has a

slot for RTAC, Ranger Training Assessment Course, and Ranger School, about a month from

now, and I've received information about the travel restrictions and I have heard second-hand

from fellow-soldiers about certain schools being closed or postponed. I have yet to receive

anything specifically about what is happening with my upcoming reservation for RTAC."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure. Well, one, I apologize for you not receiving the information to let you make a travel

decision. What I can tell you, through all the school components and our National Guard

component here as well, formally, through the H-R system, socially through their respective

social pages, Facebook and other things, and email, I've talked to all of 'em, they know they need

to notify Soldiers, or officially through the actual orders through ATRRS, to let you know

whether your class has been cancelled, postponed to a future date, and when your class will

begin.

"So I really do expect that you'll find out something very, very quickly. Don't, obviously, don't

have your name here but I can talk to this command to ensure that they send out notifications to

every Soldier, my guess is you're not alone, impacted by a movement of the date.

31

"Now, we do have some classes that have had to be adjusted, pushed to the right, class load

reasons, or just prevention reasons, it all makes sense, whether that's within the travel ban or

after the travel ban, the Soldiers'll be notified. But I'll take that note and ensure that the

respective command puts something out. Thanks, Ben."

MODERATOR reads question. "When will Soldiers with upcoming school reservations

receive official notice about postponements or cancellations?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Certainly. I don't have a date I can give you right here but I can say through the commandants

and the commands, and one, through the official scheduling system, H-R system, and, likely,

email, you'll be notified very soon.

"Daily we look at that. And some decisions have to be made on whether to execute a class as

scheduled, or move it to the right. And a lot of that is impacted by Soldiers of all ranks not being

able to travel in, temporary duty station from home, or the last duty station to Fort Benning.

"If you have a class that needs a hundred and only 18 are here, we're gonna have to move it to

the right. And that's just a broad example, but it impacts many of the schools. Long and short of

it, please do contact your point of contact but I'll ensure that the commands put something

appropriately out as well, of all of the classes, 'cause every branch, both Armor, Infantry and all

of our functional schools and the RTAC schools, have been impacted by this virus and we've had

to make some decisions on scheduling, cancellations or postpone it. Thanks. Ben."

32

MODERATOR reads question: "Can folks send their Soldier In Training a mask, can they

mail them a mask?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...I will tell ya, there are certain rules and guidelines that the brigades follow on care packages,

specifically for trainees that are going through One-Station Unit Training. I know Soldiers can

get mail. That is something that I will not turn off.

"But I can certainly say that we as leaders, to include us, as leaders, even myself, understand that

guidance, will adhere to that guidance, and taking the appropriate actions to acquire these mask

either through our normal supply systems or making them, so that it's appropriate, it fits and it

works. And guys, you have anything you want to add on that?"

The brigade commanders respond that they're using Army-issued clothing to make masks. But

that it is also possible to mail masks to trainees.

COL. VOORHIES:

"You can mail masks. Just know it'll be subject to screening by drill sergeants, and if appropriate

we'll allow them to wear it...But certainly, you can mail something to your loved one."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...It's definitely not any overnight fix but we're adhering to the guidance and the units are

making it happen...It has to be tasteful, preferably matched with the uniform, no logos and skull

heads and stuff like that on it...We want to keep them as uniform as we can, but, give them

something that can provide them the protection of the vapors that may come out or come in.

Thanks."

33

MODERATOR reads question: "Why are some battalions on Sand Hill considering babies

under 12 months high-risk and the cadre members are sent home, however other battalions

are not considering babies high-risk and cadre are still working?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO asks that Col. Voorhies, followed by Col. Dawson, respond.

COL. VOORHIES:

"Yes, sir. Really quick. For the 198th and associated battalions, I've made guidance consistent

with the Centers for Disease Control. Vulnerable populations include a compromised immune

system, elderly, over the age of 65, and pregnant spouses, or pregnant drill sergeants. We have

sent those folks home.

"Now, depending upon how many people in each battalion, cadre-wise, that have been sent

home, battalion commanders have to manage the numbers of Soldiers and cadre they have on

hand, to train your trainees. Sometimes they're at a deficit, and sometimes they have more than

they need. And with the risk to mission and the risk to force assessment, some battalion

commanders have extended the allowance of small children for cadre to go home. I encourage

you to contact your owning battalion commander or company commander, to ask that question.

I'll pass to Dawson."

COL. PLUMMER:

"...In this particular scenario here with this question, we do want to let you know that all things

are looked at at a case by case basis...And everybody's situation is different. So I would like to

encourage you to also contact your local battalion commander where your Soldier is at.

34

"I have empowered the battalion commanders to go out of ratio for training just to be able to

rotate drill sergeants or to be able to meet those needs specific to those families, given that

particular situation. So like I said, case-by-case basis, and we'll see what we can do to help you

out. Thank you."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thanks, Dawson. I would add, broadly, this is more for our local viewers, the same thought

process has gone into our commissary, shoppettes, our hospital and our post exchange as well.

"Adjusting hours throughout the day, primarily in the beginning, for those that may be elderly,

handicapped or movement issues, compromised immunity systems as well. Much of that's on the

honor code. I know you don't have an ID card that says 'I have a breathing problem.' But we can

definitely see if you're a retiree or aging.

"So I'd ask for 100 percent continued support on that. We've adjusted some of the controls,

correction, access to the commissary and PX to allow those that need more time to maneuver in

the stores, to do so, to include the numbers that come through.

"You know, 10 at a time, 10 in, 10 out, 10 in and 10 out, that allows us to promote the physical

distance we need to make it a safer environment. Thanks, Ben."

MODERATOR reads final question: "What is taking 198th Infantry Brigade so long to send

graduated Soldiers to their duty station? Cav scouts have started as of last week via ground

and sanitized buses."

35

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure. I'm actually gonna let both brigade commanders touch on part of that. But I can say that

the guidance for all graduating Soldiers, whether 19, 11 series, Armor or Infantry, upon

graduation, right now they're not leavin.' Consistent with the travel guidance that was given out

earlier.

"I maybe stealing some of the thunder, there is a plan through our Training and Doctrine

Command, to move select groups of Soldiers to respective duty stations.

"For an example, from Fort Benning to Fort Stewart, Georgia, which is about a four, four-and-

half hour drive from here. They will not drive in personally-owned vehicles. When we

implement that, which could be as early as next week, those Soldiers will be screened medically,

of course, screened to make sure they've met all their graduation requirements.

"And moved on what I'll call a clean bus from point A to point B, no stops in the middle. That'll

allow us to assist the Army with building the readiness that we need despite the threat of

COVID-19.

"Again that's done [word indistinct] very secure transportation mode, clean, to ensure that

Soldiers do not have any COVID-19 threat when they leave here or when they get there. We

have not executed that yet. I've probably stole some of your thunder, guys, but I'll give you some

time in the few minutes we have to discuss that."

COL. VOORHIES says no Infantry OSUT or Armor OSUT graduates have departed Fort

Benning yet, but such movement will "be happening soon."

36

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...Part of this question, Ben, may be, if we have had National Guard Soldiers that have

graduated, they have been allowed to go back to their home station and join their respective unit,

but for the active-duty Soldiers right now, it's not happenin.'"

COL. PLUMMER:

"Actually, sir, that's exactly what I was gonna say about the National Guard units. As you know,

as many of you know, the National Guard have been activated in many states, so of course

they're gonna be able to send those Soldiers back to their home of record to be able to help out

the particular states.

"And when I was thinkin' about this question, and I'm tryin' to do the benefit of the doubt here, of

the person who may have asked it, the Cav and the Infantry do not graduate at the same time.

And depending on when the stop-move actually took place, I did have a graduation that occurred

just before the stop-move, and I know that following week, there was the stop-move.

"So that was the situation. I could probably see how that could happen. But otherwise, no. Ever

since the stop-move was initiated by Headquarters, Department of the Army, nobody has left.

Thank you."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thanks, Dave. And that's some very good context, Dawson. Thank you."

MODERATOR turns to Maj. Gen. Brito for closing comments.

37

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Sure. To all our viewers, both here locally here in Columbus or in Fort Benning and all 50

states, again, thank you for your cooperation, and your patience, and your understanding, as I

mentioned the very first town hall, and all of our collective discipline as well. Very helpful..

"You watch the same national news I do. I know you hear that from me every week. The threat is

not going down. It's continuing to grow here in Georgia and our surrounding states as well.

"So as long as those conditions exist, we will continue, what I'll call, military term, our

defensive posture. We'll continue to adhere to what was put out in our General Order No. 1 and

we'll continue to support the governor's shelter-in-place order, whether that ends on the 13th or

continues.

"We will do what's right, based off the threat that this installation is facing, to prevent the spread

of this virus. I'm very, very pleased with the support that you've given us as a team so far. As I

mentioned the very first one, this is not about 'me,' it's about 'we.' And we'll get through this. But

I do think we have a long haul ahead of us. Can't give a timeline to it.

"It's definitely not a race, it's a marathon for sure, and we'll make the proper timely and prudent

decisions to maintain the readiness in the Army for our Soldiers and all of our families, and assist

our higher command as well.

"And to all the parents out there that have continued to give us your trust to take care of your

sons and daughters, whether they're going through Basic Training, correction, One-Station Unit

Training or Airborne School, thank you very much.

38

"I am personally committed to make sure we take care of them while we build the readiness for

the Army and ensure when the day does come and the conditions are set, that they can move on

to their first station. They can do that.

"And look forward to the day when we can open up the gates again for family days and

graduations as well. So thank you so much. We will do another town hall next week. We'll

probably give it a different focus but we'll advertise that well ahead of time. But for this one,

because of the questions received, very much focused on training, I thank you for your time this

evening and have a great week."

MODERATOR thanks panel and audience.

END TRANSCRIPT

(Transcribed and edited by Franklin S. Fisher, Command Information Officer, MCoE/Benning

Public Affairs Office)