Armed Forces News

Twentynine Palms, CA - Nov 2015: Marines with the Marine Air-Ground Task Force load a simulated casualty on to a waiting MV-22 Osprey during Integrated Training Exercise 1-16 aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Tia Nagle/Released)

The Marine Corps has scaled back training at two California installations – the Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms and the Mountain Warfare Training Center – in response to the COVID-19 threat, Seapower magazine reported.

The service also has canceled training with foreign partners and ordered the staff at Headquarters Marine Corps in Arlington, Va., to work from home. The moves follow an earlier decision to close basic training graduation ceremonies to everyone, including family members.

Training of new boots continues at the Parris Island, S.C., and San Diego recruit depots has been suspended. Prior to the decision to do so, new recruits were being screened for the disease. Anyone who showed symptoms was isolated.

While headquarters has issued no guidelines relaxing the service’s stringent grooming standards, Seapower reported that Gen. David Berger, the commandant, has granted commanders “latitude to make adjustments based on what’s available.”

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