An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fort Riley Eases Transition for New Soldiers During Pandemic

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

The 1st Infantry Division welcomed 152 new soldiers who reported to Fort Riley, Kansas, after completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Upon their arrival, the soldiers were placed under temporary restriction of movement to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 on Fort Riley and in the surrounding region.

Soldiers arriving at their duty station.
New Arrivals
New soldiers arrive at Fort Riley, Kan., from one-station-unit training at Fort Benning, Ga., to begin in-processing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Soldiers from various 1st Infantry Division units welcome them and provide health screenings, basic essential items and a variety of recreational equipment as well as extra comforts to assist them in their transition.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff
VIRIN: 200417-A-WU752-236
Soldiers arriving at their duty station.
Lining Up
New soldiers arrive at Fort Riley, Kan., from one-station-unit training at Fort Benning, Ga., to begin in-processing during the COVID-19 pandemic, April 17, 2020. Soldiers from various 1st Infantry Division units welcome them and provide health screenings, basic essential items and a variety of recreational equipment as well as extra comforts to assist them in their transition.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff
VIRIN: 200417-A-WU752-256

Army 1st Sgt. Christian Burt, the deputy mayor of the restriction of movement site, said the soldiers recently completed their one-station-unit training at Fort Benning and will report to their assigned unit at Fort Riley following completion of their temporary restriction of movement. The goal of the site is to train and care for soldiers while they're in transition, he explained.

"We know it's hard, especially for a group of new soldiers dealing with the COVID pandemic," Burt said. "They're just coming in, and this is their first introduction to the Army."

Soldiers undergoing COVID-19 medical screenings.
Coronavirus Screening
Medical personnel from the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., screen new soldiers arriving from Fort Benning, Ga., during the COVID-19 pandemic, April 17, 2020.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff
VIRIN: 200417-A-WU752-211

Fort Riley and the surrounding community have taken steps to make the transition as comfortable as possible, while actively taking precautions to prevent worsening the spread of the virus in the region.

"The USO has been doing an awesome job," Burt said. "They've been bringing video games, TV's, DVD players; just a lot of stuff for entertainment."

A USO member loading a basketball net into a vehicle.
Package Delivery
USO personnel deliver entertainment items to new soldiers arriving at Fort Riley, Kan., during the stop-movement order, April 17, 2020.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff
VIRIN: 200417-A-WU752-135

The soldiers are practicing social distancing at all times, said Army Capt. Thomas Vierra, the mayor of the restriction of movement site.

"There's at least 6 feet of space and wall lockers between each bunk," Vierra said. "We disinfect the barracks and laundry facilities regularly, and the gym equipment is disinfected after each use."

The restriction of movement site is just part of the 1st Infantry Division's larger strategy to protect soldiers, prevent the spread of COVID-19 and preserve readiness to answer the nation's call if necessary.

A soldier assembling a basketball net.
Net Setup
Army Capt. Thomas Vierra, the mayor of the restriction of movement site on Fort Riley, Kan., sets up a basketball net for the new soldiers arriving from one-station-unit training, April 18, 2020.
Photo By: Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff
VIRIN: 200418-A-WU752-022

"The Army is taking care of its soldiers," Burt said. "The community, the USO, everyone supports us. We truly do appreciate it. We basically want the community to know that we're trying our best to keep the virus contained [and] we're trying to stop the spread of COVID-19."

(Army Sgt. Timothy Brokhoff is assigned to the 19th Public Affairs Detachment)

Related Stories