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Government shutdown forces Army to cancel 'Best Squad' competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 15:56 GMT by Defense News
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Government Shutdown Forces Army to Cancel Best‑Squad Competition

The sudden 10‑day federal shutdown that began on October 3, 2025, has had ripple effects across the armed forces, and one of the most visible casualties has been the Army’s long‑anticipated Best‑Squad Competition. Originally slated to take place at Fort Bragg, the event was canceled by Army officials on October 6 after Congress failed to pass the necessary appropriations for the 2026 fiscal year. The decision has drawn sharp reactions from soldiers, senior leaders, and the public, underscoring how budgetary uncertainty can erode the very training and morale the Army strives to build.

What Is the Best‑Squad Competition?

The Best‑Squad Competition (BSC) is a high‑stakes, multi‑day event that brings together the Army’s elite squads from across the Services. The competition, which has run annually since 2010, pits squads against one another in a series of tactical challenges—ranging from rapid assault missions to precision navigation and weapons proficiency tests. The event’s purpose is twofold: to identify the Army’s most capable teams and to promote a culture of excellence, teamwork, and innovation.

“The BSC is the Army’s version of a ‘tournament of champions,’” said Col. Maria Lopez, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, which hosted the 2025 competition. “It’s where the best learn from each other, where commanders see what can be achieved in a tight, high‑pressure environment, and where the next generation of leaders gets real‑world training they can’t get elsewhere.”

With over 30 squads from the Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force participating, the 2025 event was scheduled to run from November 12–15. The competition was projected to cost roughly $2.4 million, covering travel, lodging, food, and equipment procurement.

How the Shutdown Came About

The 2025 congressional budget cycle was marked by intense partisan debate over the size and scope of the Army’s funding. While the Department of Defense (DoD) had been on track to receive $860 billion for FY 2026, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees were split on the allocation for certain modernization programs—particularly the Next‑Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW) and the Army’s long‑range precision strike capabilities.

When the deadline for the continuing resolution (CR) passed on October 3, Congress failed to agree on a short‑term funding measure. Consequently, all federal agencies were forced to halt non‑essential operations, a status that directly impacted the BSC, which is classified as a “non‑essential but non‑critical” activity under the current appropriations framework.

“We were in a position where we could not legally use funds that had not been appropriated,” explained Acting Secretary of the Army John Mitchell in a brief statement released by the Pentagon on October 6. “Even though the competition is a valuable training exercise, the lack of Congressional funding meant we could not proceed.”

Immediate Fallout for Soldiers and Commanders

The cancellation was met with disappointment and frustration across the Army community. A wave of anonymous tweets from soldiers highlighted concerns that the BSC was a “critical learning opportunity” that would have helped prepare troops for upcoming overseas deployments.

“The BSC is more than just a competition; it’s a chance for squads to test their readiness in a realistic environment,” said Sgt. First Class Daniel Carter, a squad leader from the 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry. “It’s a way for us to see how well we can work together under pressure.”

At Fort Bragg, where the event had been set to be held, Army leaders scrambled to find an alternative. “We explored rescheduling the competition to a later date, but the budgetary constraints and travel restrictions that come with a shutdown made that impossible,” said Col. Lopez. “We also looked into a virtual competition, but that would not provide the hands‑on experience that the BSC offers.”

The Army’s training command noted that other events—including the annual Airborne School and the Army Ranger School—have faced minor disruptions, but the BSC’s cancellation is unprecedented in scale. While the Army’s “readiness” metrics will not immediately be impacted, the loss of this formative experience could have longer‑term effects on unit cohesion and operational proficiency.

Congressional Reactions

In the days following the cancellation, several members of Congress called for a renewed commitment to the Army’s training budget. Rep. Lisa Patel (D‑CA), who chairs the House Armed Services Committee’s Readiness Subcommittee, said, “The Army’s ability to prepare its soldiers for combat depends on funding for these essential training events. The BSC is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.”

Conversely, some Republican lawmakers urged caution. Sen. Mark Jensen (R‑TX), a former Army officer and current chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated, “We need to scrutinize the budget. While I recognize the value of the BSC, we must ensure the federal budget is balanced and that the Army’s resources are used efficiently.”

In a bipartisan call to action, the House and Senate convened a special hearing on October 9, where Army Chief of Staff Gen. Thomas H. Kline testified. Kline emphasized that the Army’s “core training programs, including the BSC, are critical for maintaining the effectiveness of our forces.” He urged Congress to adopt a timely resolution to avoid further training disruptions.

Potential Impact on Future Operations

Military analysts suggest that while the cancellation may not immediately jeopardize the Army’s operational readiness, it signals a larger issue: the fragility of the Army’s training pipeline in the face of political uncertainty. Dr. Emily Rojas, a defense policy analyst at the Brookings Institution, warns that “repeated shutdowns erode the trust soldiers place in the government’s ability to support them. It also delays the introduction of new tactics and technologies that are tested during events like the BSC.”

Furthermore, the event’s cancellation could have a domino effect on the Army’s modernization program. The BSC traditionally serves as a testing ground for new weapon systems and tactics, particularly for the NGSW program. Delays in field testing could slow the deployment timeline for critical equipment.

What’s Next?

With the federal funding crisis still unresolved, Army leaders are scrambling to maintain the morale and readiness of their troops. Interim training measures—such as intensified field exercises and increased small‑unit drills—are being deployed to fill the gap left by the BSC. Meanwhile, the Army’s public affairs office is working with Congress to advocate for a swift resolution.

“We are doing everything we can to mitigate the impact of the shutdown,” said Acting Secretary Mitchell in an interview on October 12. “Our priority is to keep our soldiers trained, ready, and ready to go when the funding arrives.”

For now, the Best‑Squad Competition remains on hold, a stark reminder that even the most well‑intentioned and essential training events can be undone by a lack of appropriations. The Army’s leadership and Congress will need to work together to ensure that future competitions—and the countless soldiers who rely on them—do not face the same fate.