{"id":52065,"date":"2025-10-06T17:32:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T17:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2025\/10\/06\/government-shutdown-forces-army-to-cancel-best-squad-competition\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T04:14:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T04:14:27","slug":"government-shutdown-forces-army-to-cancel-best-squad-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2025\/10\/06\/government-shutdown-forces-army-to-cancel-best-squad-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Government shutdown forces Army to cancel \u2018Best Squad\u2019 competition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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

The service said its 2025 \u201cBest Squad\u201d competition would not take place \u201cdue to a lapse in appropriations.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cindividual warrior tasks and squad battle drills.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, participants were expected to travel to Washington and interview with top Army leaders in a test of their knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Army launched the competition in 2022<\/a>. At the time, then-Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston said it measured the service\u2019s goal \u201cof building a cohesive team that is highly trained, disciplined and fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2024 \u201cBest Squad of the Year\u201d was awarded to a squad from the U.S. Army Pacific. <\/p>\n\n\n\t