Editing United States Army (section)

===Training===
{{Main|United States Army Basic Training}}
[[File:Rangers from the 75th Ranger Regiment fast-rope from an MH-47 Chinook during a capabilities exercise.jpg|thumb|right|U.S. Army Rangers practicing [[Fast-roping|fast roping]] techniques from an [[Boeing CH-47 Chinook|MH-47]] during an exercise at [[Fort Bragg]]]]

Training in the U.S. Army is generally divided into two categories – individual and collective. Because of COVID-19 precautions, the first two weeks of [[basic training]] — not including processing and out-processing – incorporate social distancing and indoor desk-oriented training. Once the recruits have tested negative for COVID-19 for two weeks, the remaining 8&nbsp;weeks follow the traditional activities for most recruits,<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.army.mil/article/235841/brigades_move_to_new_model_for_basic_training| title= Mitch Meador (21 May 2020) Brigades move to new model for basic training| date= 21 May 2020}}</ref> followed by Advanced Individualized Training (AIT) where they receive training for their [[List of United States Army careers|military occupational specialties (MOS)]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/job-training/advanced-individual-training|title=Advanced Individual Training Overview|website=goarmy.com|access-date=July 10, 2024}}</ref> Some individual's MOSs range anywhere from 14 to 20 weeks of One Station Unit Training (OSUT), which combines Basic Training and AIT. The length of AIT school varies by the MOS. The length of time spent in AIT depends on the soldier's MOS. Certain highly technical MOS training requires many months (e.g., foreign language translators). Depending on the army's needs, [[United States Army Basic Training#Basic Combat Training|Basic Combat Training]] for combat arms soldiers is conducted at several locations. Still, two of the longest-running are the Armor School and the [[United States Army Infantry School|Infantry School]], both at [[Fort Moore]], Georgia. Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey notes that an infantrymen's pilot program for [[One Station Unit Training]] (OSUT) extends 8 weeks beyond Basic Training and AIT, to 22 weeks. The pilot, designed to boost infantry readiness ended in December 2018. The new Infantry OSUT covered the [[M240]] machine gun as well as the [[M249 light machine gun|M249 squad automatic weapon]].<ref name=m240,249>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/211809/soldiers_train_on_m240_machine_gun_during_22_week_infantry_osut_transformation|title=Soldiers train on M240 machine gun during 22-week Infantry OSUT transformation|website= Army.mil|date=28 September 2018}}</ref> The redesigned Infantry OSUT started in 2019.<ref name=daileyOSUT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/207819/sgt_maj_of_the_army_extending_training_would_bolster_readiness_lethality|title=Sgt. Maj. of the Army: Extending training would bolster readiness, lethality|website=Army.mil|date=28 June 2018}}</ref><ref name=extendedOSUT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/210695/extended_osut_allows_repetition_to_hone_combat_skills_major_general_says|title=Extended OSUT allows repetition to hone combat skills, major general says|website= Army.mil|date=6 September 2018}}</ref> Depending on the result of the 2018 pilot, OSUTs could also extend training in other combat arms beyond the infantry.<ref name=daileyOSUT /> One Station Unit Training will be extended to 22 weeks for Armor by Fiscal Year 2021.<ref name=Strategy2018 /> Additional OSUTs are expanding to Cavalry, Engineer, and Military Police (MP) in the succeeding Fiscal Years.<ref name= addedOsuts>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/211324/preparing_for_current_and_future_army_drill_sergeant_mission_requirements_through_adaptive_measures|title=Preparing for current and future Army drill sergeant mission requirements through adaptive measures|website= Army.mil|date=25 September 2018}}</ref>

A new training assignment for junior officers was instituted, that they serve as platoon leaders for Basic Combat Training (BCT) platoons.<ref name=LTsAsBCT/> These lieutenants will assume many of the administrative, logistical, and day-to-day tasks formerly performed by the drill sergeants of those platoons and are expected to "lead, train, and assist with maintaining and enhancing the morale, welfare and readiness" of the drill sergeants and their BCT platoons.<ref name= LTsAsBCT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/220289/lieutenants_to_become_bct_leaders|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422212141/https://www.army.mil/article/220289/lieutenants_to_become_bct_leaders|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2019|title=Lieutenants to become BCT leaders|website= Army.mil|date=15 April 2019}}</ref> These lieutenants are also expected to stem any inappropriate behaviors they witness in their platoons, to free up the drill sergeants for training.<ref name=LTsAsBCT/>

[[File:101st-Airborne-Soldiers-build-elite-Iraqi-force-with-Ranger-Training-7-480x319.jpg|thumb|left|A trainer with Company A, 1st Battalion 502nd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Strike, [[101st Airborne Division]] assisting Iraqi army ranger students during a room clearing drill at Camp Taji, Iraq on 18 July 2016]]
The [[United States Army Combat Fitness Test]] (ACFT) was introduced in 2018 to 60 battalions spread throughout the Army.<ref name=6acftEvents /> The test and scoring system is the same for all soldiers, regardless of gender.  It takes an hour to complete, including rest periods.<ref name=speed>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/212069/post_gets_look_at_new_fitness_test|title=Post gets look at new fitness test|website= Army.mil|date=4 October 2018}}</ref> The ACFT supersedes the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT),<ref name= apftInterimCovid>[https://www.army.mil/article/235907/sma_expects_acft_to_continue_as_planned_in_covid_19_environment Joe Lacdan, Army News Service (22 May 2020) SMA expects ACFT to continue as planned in COVID-19 environment] "Soldiers can use their last APFT score to remain promotion eligible."</ref><ref name=apftUseForRetention>{{Cite web|url=https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ARN13963_AD2018_22_Final.pdf|title=Army Directive 2018–22 (8 Nov 2018) Retention Policy for Non-Deployable Soldiers|website=Armypubs.army.mil|access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/213757/non_deployable_directive_to_help_army_work_toward_more_lethal_force|title=Non-deployable directive to help Army work toward more 'lethal' force|website= Army.mil|date=16 November 2018}}</ref> as being more relevant to survival in combat.<ref name=6acftEvents>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/211748/acft_ensures_soldiers_are_lethal_physically_conditioned|title=ACFT ensures Soldiers are lethal, physically conditioned|website= Army.mil|date=28 September 2018}}</ref> Six events were determined to better predict which muscle groups of the body were adequately conditioned for combat actions:<ref name=speed /> three deadlifts,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv96WKme3Mo| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226201737/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv96WKme3Mo&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=26 December 2018 | url-status=dead|title=Army Combat Fitness Test: 3 Repetition Maximum Deadlift (MDL) (Event 1)|date=24 October 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> a standing power throw of a ten-pound medicine ball,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1DXoQ_Vjl8| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412132741/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1DXoQ_Vjl8| archive-date=12 April 2019 | url-status=dead|title=Army Combat Fitness Test: Standing Power Throw (SPT) (Event 2)|date=24 October 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> hand-release pushups<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jMmXpHktn0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/1jMmXpHktn0| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=5 Hand Release Pushup event execution|date=17 May 2019|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> (which replace the traditional pushup), a sprint/drag/carry 250 yard event,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD-9nPvTNo0| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417025926/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD-9nPvTNo0| archive-date=17 April 2019 | url-status=dead|title=Army Combat Fitness Test: Sprint-Drag-Carry (SDC) (Event 4)|date=29 October 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> three pull-ups with leg tucks (or a plank test in lieu of the leg tuck),<ref>{{cite web| url= https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/army-revamps-fitness-exam-kicks-leg-tuck-test-76612138| title= Lolita C Baldor (22 Mar 2021) Army revamps fitness exam, kicks out leg tuck requirement| website= [[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3LdsQ-wHg| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414034444/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn3LdsQ-wHg| archive-date=14 April 2019 | url-status=dead|title=Army Combat Fitness Test: Leg Tuck (LTK) (Event 5)|date=24 October 2018|via=YouTube}}</ref> a mandatory rest period, and a two-mile run.<ref name=videoACFT>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnVTW1Lh7zk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/RnVTW1Lh7zk| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT)|date=25 July 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> As of 1 October 2020 all soldiers from all three components (Regular Army, Reserve, and National Guard)<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/221703/secfor_soldiers_crawl_through_acft_familiarization SGT Zach Mott (May 10, 2019) SECFOR Soldiers 'Crawl' Through ACFT Familiarization] SECFOR Soldiers serve as the security force (force protection during a deployment)</ref> are subject to this test.<ref name=allSoldiersOct2020>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/210899/army_secretary_new_fitness_test_measures_combat_readiness|title=Army secretary: New fitness test measures combat readiness|website= Army.mil|date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref name= COs,CSMsOnACFT>{{cite news| url= https://www.army.mil/article/224941/pre_command_course_conducts_diagnostic_army_combat_fitness_test| title= Harry Sarles (July 24, 2019) Pre-Command Course conducts diagnostic Army Combat Fitness Test| newspaper= www.army.mil| date= 24 July 2019}}</ref> The ACFT now tests all soldiers in basic training as of October 2020. The ACFT became the official test of record on 1 October 2020; before that day, every Army unit was required to complete a diagnostic ACFT<ref name= acftKyGuard1st>[https://www.army.mil/article/231357/kentucky_guard_first_to_receive_acft_equipment Maj. Stephen Martin (December 27, 2019) Kentucky Guard first to receive ACFT equipment] "36,608 ACFT sets for the total army by May 15". "The Army is focused on the tactical athlete".
* [https://www.army.mil/article/231568/ny_national_guard_finds_creative_ways_to_train_for_new_fitness_test Staff Sgt. Warren Wright (10 January 2020) NY National Guard finds creative ways to train for new fitness test] "finding creative ways to exercise at home and on their own time"</ref> (All Soldiers with valid APFT scores can use them until March 2022. The Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) System is one way that soldiers can prepare.).<ref name= grinston2020acft>{{cite web| url= https://www.army.mil/article/236558/sma_takes_to_social_media_addresses_acft_2_0_concerns |title= Thomas Brading, Army News Service (18 June 2020) SMA takes to social media, addresses ACFT 2.0 concerns| date= 18 June 2020}}</ref><ref name= prepForAcft>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSmvJs9lSGA US Army (2020) US Army soldier prepares for ACFT] Learning how to retrain an injured body; using resistance bands (good for leg tucks); know your limits; use out-training (see video for sample); practice technique (good for deadlift, and power throw)</ref><ref name="h2fColocatesSharp">Haley Britzky [https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-holistic-health-fitness-82nd-airborne/ (27 Oct 2021) This is the Army's plan to stop physically breaking so many of its soldiers] [[Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention]] (SHARP) office is located in Falcon Holistic Health and Fitness Center (H2F) at Fort Bragg</ref> The ACFT movements directly translate to movements on the battlefield.<ref name=extendedOSUT />
Following their basic and advanced training at the individual level, soldiers may choose to continue their training and apply for an "additional skill identifier" (ASI). The ASI allows the army to take a wide-ranging MOS and focus it on a more specific MOS. For example, a combat medic, whose duties are to provide pre-hospital emergency treatment, may receive ASI training to become a cardiovascular specialist, a dialysis specialist, or even a licensed practical nurse. For commissioned officers, training includes pre-commissioning training, known as Basic Officer Leader Course A, either at [[West Point|USMA]] or via [[ROTC]], or by completing [[Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army)|OCS]]. After commissioning, officers undergo branch-specific training at the Basic Officer Leaders Course B, (formerly called Officer Basic Course), which varies in time and location according to their future assignments. Officers will continue to attend standardized training at different stages of their careers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/223569/pilot_program_provides_a_new_option_for_army_officers_professional_military_education|title=Pilot program provides a new option for Army officers' professional military education|website= Army.mil |date=25 June 2019}}</ref>

[[File:Yudh Abhyas 2015 Soldiers familiarize with INSAS 1B1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|U.S. Army soldiers familiarizing with the latest INSAS 1B1 during exercise Yudh Abhyas 2015]]
Collective training at the unit level takes place at the unit's assigned station, but the most intensive training at higher echelons is conducted at the three combat training centers (CTC); the [[National Training Center]] (NTC) at [[Fort Irwin]], California, the [[Fort Johnson#JRTC moves to Polk|Joint Readiness Training Center]] (JRTC) at [[Fort Johnson]], Louisiana and the [[Grafenwoehr Training Area|Joint Multinational Training Center]] (JMRC) at the Hohenfels Training Area in [[Hohenfels, Bavaria|Hohenfels and Grafenwöhr]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/213003/workshop_guides_future_growth_in_grafenwoehr|title=Workshop guides future growth in Grafenwoehr|website= Army.mil|date=26 October 2018}}</ref> Germany. [[ARFORGEN|ReARMM]] is the Army Force Generation process approved in 2020 to meet the need to continuously replenish forces for deployment at the unit level and for other echelons as required by the mission. Individual-level replenishment still requires training at a unit level, which is conducted at the continental U.S. (CONUS) replacement center (CRC) at [[Fort Bliss]], in New Mexico and Texas before their individual deployment.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20171214183306/http://fortblissbugle.com/2017/12/13/conus-replacement-center-receives-new-command/ (13 December 2017) CONUS Replacement Center receives new command]}} CRC 5 transition to CRC 6</ref>

Chief of Staff Milley notes that the Army is suboptimized for training in cold-weather regions, jungles, mountains, or urban areas. In contrast, the Army does well when training for deserts or rolling terrain.<ref name=fy2019ArmyTestimony>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIhC4zswW8I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/AIhC4zswW8I| archive-date=11 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=Army Officials Testify on FY 2019 Budget Request|date=16 May 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{rp|minute 1:26:00}} Post 9/11, Army unit-level training was for counter-insurgency (COIN); by 2014–2017, training had shifted to decisive action training.<ref name=Ausa2018>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ausa.org/news/army-updates-mobilization-model|title=Army Updates Mobilization Model|date=8 October 2018|website=Association of the United States Army}}</ref>

==== Future Soldier Prep Course ====
The United States Army has faced recruiting challenges since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Army has implemented the Future Soldier Prep Course (FSPC) to address these issues. This program is designed to assist potential recruits who may initially need to meet the Army's physical fitness or academic standards.<ref name="n424">{{cite web | last=Baldor | first=Lolita C. | title=The Army's answer to a lack of recruits is a prep course to boost low scores. It's working | website=AP News | date=2024-11-10 | url=https://apnews.com/article/army-recruits-prep-course-soldiers-e161c892b92138999b01ae5ea6650b92 | access-date=2024-11-11}}</ref>

In the fiscal year ending 30 September 2023, approximately 13,000 of the 55,000 recruits, or 24%, participated in the FSPC. This indicates a significant reliance on the program to fill recruitment quotas.<ref name="n424" />

The FSPC offers both physical fitness and academic training. However, most participants enroll in the academic component, which focuses on subjects like basic math, English, and other essential skills.<ref name="n424" />