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US Military Sees No Quick Exit From 'New World' of Coronavirus

Associated Press

   WASHINGTON - The U.S. military is bracing for a months-long struggle
   against the coronavirus, looking for novel ways to maintain a defensive
   crouch that sustains troops' health without breaking their morale --
   while still protecting the nation.

   Unlike talk in the Trump administration of possibly reopening the
   country as early as May, military leaders are suggesting that this
   summer may be the best-case scenario of tiptoeing toward a return to
   normal activities. Even that is uncertain, and for now the focus is on
   adjusting as the pandemic's threat evolves.

   "We are going to need to change and adapt, because even over the coming
   months the virus isn't going to go away. We're going to have to be able
   to operate in a COVID environment," Deputy Defense Secretary David
   Norquist said recently, referring to the disease caused by the novel
   coronavirus.

   Officials have frozen most forces in place overseas, stopped troops and
   their families from moving to new assignments, and cut back access to
   the Pentagon. The military services have halted or restricted recruit
   training, canceled major exercises, and isolated troops in the most
   sensitive units. The new Space Force has delayed a satellite launch,
   and the Navy this week postponed the return of the USS Harry S. Truman,
   keeping the aircraft carrier at sea to shield its crew from virus
   exposure at home.

   These steps to protect the force have parallels in civilian society,
   but a far-flung military can't function by staying at home.

   "This will be a new way of doing business that we have to focus in on,"
   says Air Force Gen. John Hyten, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
   Staff. "We're adjusting to that new world as we speak today."

   The notion of "normal" in the military may never be the same.

   "We've all deployed and fought enemies abroad, however, today's enemy
   is here in our communities," said Lt. Gen. Brad Webb, commander of the
   Air Force's training and education command. "We don't know what 'new
   normal' will look like until we get to the other side."

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