Military recruits are being screened for coronavirus before heading to basic training

WASHINGTON — New military recruits heading to basic training are being screened for the coronavirus in order to prevent its spread to the force, military officials said.

The Army started screening recruits Tuesday, and the Navy has been screening during the initial processing of recruits since January, said Cmdr. Dave Hecht, a spokesman for the Chief of Naval Personnel, in an email to Stars and Stripes.

“This additional screening assesses a trainee’s exposure to infected persons, international travel and a medical screening for [coronavirus] like symptoms,” said Leslie Ann Sully, a spokeswoman for Fort Jackson, S.C., where half the Army's recruits go through basic training. “Units are conducting preparations in the event a soldier, family member or civilian employee” is diagnosed with the coronavirus.

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