By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pew PatriotsPew PatriotsPew Patriots
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Reading: Government shutdown forces Army to cancel ‘Best Squad’ competition
Share
Font ResizerAa
Pew PatriotsPew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Guns and Gear
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
Government shutdown forces Army to cancel ‘Best Squad’ competition
Tactical

Government shutdown forces Army to cancel ‘Best Squad’ competition

Jimmie Dempsey
Last updated: October 6, 2025 5:53 pm
Jimmie Dempsey Published October 6, 2025
Share
SHARE

As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Army canceled an annual, service-wide competition that rewards military teamwork.

The service said its 2025 “Best Squad” competition would not take place “due to a lapse in appropriations.”

The competition, which assesses squads based on their technical and tactical proficiency and ability to work together as a unit, was slated to begin Oct. 3 and last until Oct. 12.

Squads comprise five soldiers: a squad leader, either a sergeant first class or staff sergeant; a team leader, either a sergeant or corporal; and three other members at the rank of specialist or below.

The event was slated to begin at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, according to the Army, and include fitness and combat tests, a 12-mile foot march and “individual warrior tasks and squad battle drills.”

From there, participants were expected to travel to Washington and interview with top Army leaders in a test of their knowledge.

The Army launched the competition in 2022. At the time, then-Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston said it measured the service’s goal “of building a cohesive team that is highly trained, disciplined and fit.”

The 2024 “Best Squad of the Year” was awarded to a squad from the U.S. Army Pacific.

RELATED

The U.S. government shut down in the early morning hours of Oct. 1, after Congress was unable to pass appropriations legislation for fiscal 2026.

Senate Democrats voted down a Republican bill to continue funding the government, marking the first time in seven years the government has shut down. Democrats accused Republicans of being unwilling to negotiate on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits that expired at the end of fiscal 2025.

Officials are expected to furlough about half of the 741,477 Defense Department civilian employees, according to DOD guidance.

While family centers and child development centers remain open at some bases, several have closed.

And military pay for active-duty troops and reserve personnel is in danger, with Oct. 15 paychecks in limbo unless House and Senate lawmakers either find an avenue to reach a short-term funding agreement or push through specific legislation to guarantee military pay during the shutdown.

Riley Ceder is a reporter at Military Times, where he covers breaking news, criminal justice, investigations, and cyber. He previously worked as an investigative practicum student at The Washington Post, where he contributed to the Abused by the Badge investigation.

Read the full article here

You Might Also Like

US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program up to 2 years, DOD says

EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 [RECOILTV] | RECOIL

A Concealed Carry Primer

Review: Savage Stance XR

Soldiers suspended on allegations they fired blanks at Florida beach

Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We Recommend
Trump says he’d be willing to extend Asia trip to meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un
News

Trump says he’d be willing to extend Asia trip to meet with North Korea’s Kim Jong Un

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
America’s secret weapon to crush China in the global AI race
Chicago mayor lashes out at reporter over ‘illegal alien’ term: ‘Racist, nasty language’
High school coach, wife ID’d as victims killed in crash tied to illegal alien trucker released by Biden admin
NFL Week 8 scores: Broncos dismantle Cowboys, Jets finally get win
Milei scores historic win in Argentina midterms, tightens grip on Congress
Packers’ Tucker Kraft, Jordan Love torch Steelers, spoil Aaron Rodgers’ hopes to make history
News

Packers’ Tucker Kraft, Jordan Love torch Steelers, spoil Aaron Rodgers’ hopes to make history

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
3 Chinese nationals arrested in Georgia for trying to buy 0K worth of black-market uranium
News

3 Chinese nationals arrested in Georgia for trying to buy $400K worth of black-market uranium

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
Vikings great Adrian Peterson busted in Texas for DWI
News

Vikings great Adrian Peterson busted in Texas for DWI

Jimmie Dempsey Jimmie Dempsey October 27, 2025
Pew Patriots
  • News
  • Tactical
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
  • Guns and Gear
2024 © Pew Patriots. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?