The U.S. Army’s renowned “Best Squad” competition, an event that showcases military teamwork and skills, has been cancelled due to the current government shutdown. This decision comes amid widespread effects of the shutdown, which began on October 1 when Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations legislation for the fiscal year 2026.
The Army announced that the 2025 competition would not proceed “due to a lapse in appropriations.” Initially scheduled to run from October 3 to October 12, the event was to be held at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, featuring rigorous fitness and combat tests, a 12-mile march, and essential warrior tasks and drills. The competition evaluates squads, each consisting of five soldiers, on their ability to work cohesively and their tactical prowess.
Following the Fort Bragg challenges, participants were set to travel to Washington, D.C., for interviews with top Army officials to further test their knowledge. Since its inception in 2022, the competition has aimed to “build a cohesive team that is highly trained, disciplined and fit,” as stated by then-Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston. Last year, the title of “Best Squad of the Year” was awarded to a team from the U.S. Army Pacific.
The shutdown marks the first in seven years, following Senate Democrats’ decision to vote down a Republican bill designed to fund the government. The disagreement centered around the extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits, which had expired at the close of fiscal 2025.
The shutdown’s impact extends beyond the Army competition, with approximately half of the Defense Department’s 741,477 civilian employees expected to face furloughs, according to DOD guidance. While some family and child development centers remain operational on military bases, others have closed. Furthermore, the continuation of military pay is uncertain, with active-duty and reserve personnel’s paychecks due on October 15 in jeopardy unless a short-term funding solution or specific legislation is enacted to assure military pay during the shutdown.
