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Transcript of Facebook Live COVID-19 Town Hall

Live-streamed Tuesday, 28 April, 2020

from the MCoE/Fort Benning Public Affairs Office

Suite W-141, McGinnis-Wickam Hall

Time of live-stream: 1600-1703 hours approx.

Panel:

• Maj. Gen. Gary M. Brito, commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning

• Col. Melissa J. Hoffman, commander, Martin Army Community Hospital • Col. Matthew Scalia, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Benning

Moderator:

• Benjamin L. Garrett, Chief of Public Affairs, MCoE/Fort Benning

Link to town hall meeting:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR1eyLrsfo0

MODERATOR: "Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us for our Fort Benning Garrison

Facebook Live Town Hall, about the COVID-19 virus. I'm Ben Garrett, the Fort Benning Public

Affairs Officer and your moderator this afternoon. This is our sixth town hall to address COVID-

19 concerns. It has been two weeks since our last town hall and there have been some DoD- and

Army-level announcements as well as an announcement by the governor of Georgia.

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"The DoD announced travel restrictions have been extended to June the 30th. Training and

Doctrine Command, or TRADOC, announced initial-entry training units will resume receiving

new recruits for basic training, and the governor of Georgia announced last week some

businesses would return employees and begin opening.

"All announcements concern and impact Fort Benning, our Soldiers, families and the DA

Civilian work force. We received quite a number questions, and our goal is to address as many as

we can during this town hall."

MODERATOR then introduces the three panel members, after which Maj. Gen. Brito makes

opening comments.

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...We are continually assessing the status, the environment, what I call the common operating

picture, listening to commanders as well. That's something I'll work through the command

channels on very shortly, if not by the end of this week. Additionally tied to that, met with the

staff just today and received a briefing on a phased reopening or phased resumption of normal

activities here at Fort Benning.

"I will tell ya that it will not be happening quickly, and as I said last week or the week before on

a social media form letter that we put out, it will not be a flipping of the switch. Some of those

activities will be addressed today from the garrison commander, Col. Scalia, and some of the

activities will be addressed through the commanders as we go through this phased resumption or

reopening of some of that activities here on the post.

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"Those phases will occur from basically this weekend all the way through possibly the end of

June, maybe a little bit to the left, maybe a little bit to the right, based off the status of where we

stand with COVID [-19] prevention and mitigation here in Fort Benning and the surrounding

counties.

"I will tell ya just by looking at the math and the way the stats roll in, even with the resumption

of some of the activities throughout the state, you will not see...changes in the reported number

of cases, very quickly.

"As you all know from watching the local news and national news, it may take a week, two or

three, probably about two or less, for those numbers to come in. We'll watch 'em closely and

make the appropriate decisions.

"Shifting subjects, we received a ton of questions from parents that have trainees here and I'm

gonna try to answer most of 'em within just a few minutes.

"I wanna walk it from a new, a future Soldier at home, all the way through an OSUT graduate.

Okay, for those Soldiers that are home, received some questions like, 'When can I ship?'

"Go see your recruiter. At that end, that's where you'll get the answer. Go see your recruiter. As

Ben mentioned up front, opening comments, shipment of Soldiers has resumed. It is not yet at

quite 100 percent, it may be a little less than that, a little more than that, correction, a little less

than that, based off where you live. So go see your recruiter. And you will find out when you're

gonna be shipped to Fort Benning or any of the other Army training centers.

"When you get here you'll be in-processed. Screened at the airport. In-processed. And when you

report to Fort Benning, plan on spending up to 14 days of some type of self-monitoring status.

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"Within that 14 days you will also be trained, getting some level of training just as any initial-

entry training Soldier would, throughout those 14 days, and at the end of it continue with some

in-processing, then begin your respective OSUT training, whether it's Armor, Infantry, or one of

the [91]-series mechanics training here at Fort Benning.

"That'll be done very safely. We'll ensure that you're in good health, to include the drill sergeants

and civilians that may be working around you as well, and work you through that training

pipeline.

"To fast forward a bit, upon meeting graduation requirements, I'm choosing those words on

purpose, I'll talk that some more, upon meeting graduation requirements, you may have the

opportunity to go to one of the follow-on schools, Airborne, or Ranger, if you're on that

respective contract, or you will wait in a holdover status until we have coordinated some type of

travel to move you to your first unit of assignment. That travel will be via bus, clean,

government-contracted bus, or clean, government-contracted air. It could be a military aircraft as

well.

"In fact, just yesterday we flew some Soldiers from Fort Benning here at our military airfield, to

Fort Carson, Colorado. We've done Fort Campbell, Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Bliss,

Texas, and Fort Stewart, Georgia.

"Those movements are goin' quite well, and quite smoothly, but what I can tell ya, it's not all

5,000 graduates just picking their number at one time. So with that, moms and dads and Soldiers,

you can expect that you may have a holdover status from anywhere from a couple of days up to a

couple of weeks, until we move you out.

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"And one of the questions we get every town hall is, 'When can my son or daughter use their

phone?' Based off where they're at in their training pipeline with their respective companies, if

they're in week two they're not gonna be using their phone. If they're week 12, they maybe have

opportunities to use their phones.

"Upon meeting graduation requirements, I see no need why a Soldier can't use their phone. What

I've asked the brigades and the battalions on the respective Facebook pages and other venues, to

post that type of information. You can access it, as I know many parents are, and that'll be shared

with you.

"Throughout all the training, and I'm proud to say at this point, we have zero trainees that have

any COVID-19 infection or positive cases. We'll continue to do our very best to ensure the

Soldiers are safe, healthy, fed well, and they're gonna be trained hard, throughout.

"Same with the cadre that give them their respective training. So, long and short of it is, took you

through the pipeline of a future Soldier who wanted to be shipped to Fort Benning, his or her

reception, the self-monitoring, continued reception, training throughout the 22 weeks or what

have you, based of their respective MOS, meeting of the graduation requirements, and forward

movement to their first unit of assignment.

"If a Soldier's planned to go overseas, he or she could expect a little bit longer of a layover, and

that is impacting all of the Army training centers. It's quite obvious, we need to put 'em on some

type of plane, on a plane to get 'em to the respective unit, and that is the number one movement

priority for Training and Doctrine Command and Forces Command, at this time.

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"Now, tied to that – and I'm kinda bridging to the travel ban – as you all know the recent

Department of Defense travel ban has been extended to the 30th of June. So no Soldiers that are

assigned somewhere, are moving in or out of their respective station, with the exceptions of the

status I gave you of the One-Station Unit Training Soldiers. We can move 'em on to the forward

unit.

"So if Staff Sgt. X is at Fort Benning, he or she has PCS orders, those PCS orders are put on hold

right now to the 30th of June. So the Soldiers leaving Fort Benning or DA Civilians that may be

in that status as well, will not have government-funded movement to a place, or from a place, to

Fort Benning, at this point. In accordance with a policy that came out, that travel ban will be

reevaluated every 14 days.

"We are very aware of that and that is tied to our resumption of activities phase plan at this time

as well. At this point, and I'll turn it over to questions after this, because of that we're still, at this

point, not having graduations, family days or other large gatherings.

"So when a Soldier graduates, at this point, do not expect for us to be having a formal graduation

like we did pre-COVID environment. I personally through the brigade commanders'll let you

know right away when that's an activity that we will resume for the Soldiers and the same for the

other Soldiers and leaders that are going through some of the respective schools here at Benning.

"And lastly, in broad terms, and I mentioned this just a few moments ago, we have developed a

phase plan to reopen and resume some of the normal activities here at Fort Benning, everywhere

from the gyms, bringing select employees back to work, the barbershops and some of the other

recreational activities.

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"That will be done very deliberately and carefully, and purely based off of the COVID-19 status

on the post and off the post and the entire common operating picture within the state of Georgia.

"Not something I'm gonna do quickly, something that we will do deliberately, to protect all of

our Soldiers, civilians, families and retirees...Like to go ahead and hit the questions, please."

MODERATOR reads question: "How are ETP, or Exception to Policies, being handled for

Soldiers with school-age kids, specifically ones that are getting ready to start high school?"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...So with any exception to policy, regardless of your rank, go see your chain-of-command right

away...The process we're following...we send up a memo stating the reasons for that exception of

policy. It's routed from the first-line supervisor all the way up through me, and depending upon

the category, some can be approved at my level...Some have to be routed all the way up through

the Army senior leadership, in most cases, by the policy, all the way to the Vice Chief of Staff of

the Army.

"If we need to do that, do not expect that to be turned around in one or two days. We've been

averaging around five to 10 days for some of those exceptions to policy to come forward.

"What I would ask, for anyone using the high school category, or going to college, or 'I'm

moving to Alaska, I need to get there,' or just a key and essential position, is to come up on the

net very early, military terms, come up on the net very early, let your chain-of-command know

that this ETP needs to be established. And they are well aware of the paperwork that's necessary.

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"To broaden it up a little bit...many units and, correction, some Soldiers that may be moving

overseas units, or here in the states as well, the parent unit which in this case may be us or Fort

Hood, Texas, and the gaining unit, have communicated, and shared the need, like 'Lt.Col. Such-

and-Such, needs to report to Eighth Army on this date for the following reasons.'

"So both ends, the sending and the receiving end, is well aware of it. The exception to policy is

done at the receiving end, pushed up to the Vice Chief of Staff for approval or not, and that starts

the funding process and the approval process to move..."

MODERATOR reads question: "Hi, I know that ETPs, or Exceptions to Policies, have been

made. Can someone direct us to, how to fill this out? My husband is in TRADOC so he cannot

fill it out on his own."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"TRADOC, FORSCOM, Special Operations Command, it won't matter. Go see the chain of

command. they have the format for the written exception of policy, signed by the first-line

supervisor and ultimately me, and then we move it on outta here. It is routed very quickly

through our installation G-1. And so you're unit S-1 would work that as well. We sign it, and

send it forward individually, as a piece of paper, or, based off the categories, let's say we have

15 people that need to go to Fort Hood, Texas, we can send up a consolidated memo or matrix as

well.

"Again, the process is working. But I believe across the Army there are about 40,000 that

potentially could be impacted between March and the end of June, from the travel ban, and of

course within that there's gonna be some exceptions to policy, either for schools, high schools, or

medical conditions, EFMP, the things that just happen in life.

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"That just needs to be put forward. So again, it doesn't matter what unit, what headquarters

you're in. Go see the chain-of-command. I know they know, through their S-1s up to our G-1,

how to get that process filed, started."

MODERATOR reads question: "If you are a DA, or a Department of the Army Civilian, not

being moved at government expense, you can pile your stuff in a U-Haul and beat feet to your

new position? MODERATOR adds: "That's the way it came in, so we're gonna report it as best

we can, so I guess, DA Civilians lookin' to move, if they can get there on their own, or get to

their next duty assignment on their own. Sir."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...Well, on the assumption, just like any Soldier, the DA Civilian is on Department of the Army

orders to go from one station to another, you fall within the travel ban restrictions also. If you

load your own U-Haul don't expect to be reimbursed. You're not, in this case, if you're allowed to

move, if you get an ETP to move, that ETP would apply to giving you the proper funding for

your move. If you do not have orders allowing you to move, I wouldn't go, at this point, and if

you just should go, don't expect to be reimbursed for whatever medium you use to help 'beat the

feet' if I understand the question correctly."

MODERATOR reads question: "Do we have an idea when post will open back up for families

to visit?"

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MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"... I'm gonna tell you, right now...I don't know, but, it is something that we have developed

metrics for so far. As you well know, the trusted visitor– and I may be messing up the term – is

prohibited right now, so you have an ID card to come on post or a special access card, depending

upon your employee status. We're gonna stay in that status for some time, 'cause quite frankly it

helps us to control the leaders and others that continue to come on post, to include those

employees and contractors that have to come on post.

"So as we meet the metrics to go from HPCON Charlie where we're at now, down to a lesser

HPCON Bravo or even further to no Health Protection Condition, that will be the trigger for us

to open up the post to families, to visit the Soldiers, graduations and family days and other things

like that. Matt Scalia can answer in more detail, but there are some exceptions for individual

[family] members that need to come on post now, for medical reasons, child care, and Matt, if

you could talk to that please."

COL. SCALIA:

"...So things are looking better, and that's why the commanding general's just indicated he is

looking to make some changes, revise General Order No. 1. I think we're all anxious to see that

happen. Visitors...we're just not there yet. So it is conditions-based. It is not set on any specific

date.

"And also, as General Brito mentioned, the planning team, he's seen the staff work on a phased

approach to reopening, or returning to this new normal in our operations to include visitors. So at

this point though, we're still closed to visitors for recreational purposes. Okay?

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"Now, as we've spoken at other town halls, there are exceptions for family members or other

visitors for specific purposes. Purposes just so you can continue to live normal life in these

unusual circumstances.

"So we've had the questions before. Families who are ready to give birth soon, can they have

family come down to watch the other kids or help with integration of the new child? Of course.

"Those are absolutely good, good reasons. As we're approaching summertime, others have asked,

what about exchanging of children to another parent for custody over the summer?

"That would be another reason for people to come, for visitors to come. We just ask when you

do, you try to coordinate prior, and you can find that information at

benning.army.mil/coronavirus, and on that you will see on the left hand side of the screen, tabs,

one of which is installation access and it gives you there the information and contact information

for you to make those arrangements."

MODERATOR: "And just for those visits, also, want to clarify that as far as family days,

Turning Blue and the other graduations, those visitors are still not able to, or not permitted to

join us, due to the large-gathering bans."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"That would be correct on two fronts. One, we're not having those events right now...

MODERATOR: "Okay, thank you for the information about visitation. Then, reads question:

"How will Transportation be handled on Fort Benning for PCS moves after the stop travel

order is lifted on 30 June? Will we need to wait until after the order is lifted to begin the

process or will we be able to begin clearing and scheduling movers before 30 June for a move

sometime in July or August?"

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MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...As you well know it's an automated system and don't ask me what the dot.mil address would

be that we would go on to schedule your move. No different from a private all the way up to

myself as well, so we'd go online and schedule our respective moves.

"As you well know you need orders for that. And some may receive orders before the end of the

travel ban allowing movement. Let's just say on July 1st. If you receive your respective orders

you can go online and schedule your move, which will at this point be after 30 June or left or

right depending upon the assessment of DoD.

"But orders are the first stop and that could be through normal administrative flow or could be

the good result of an exception to policy. So orders received, you can go online and set the

appointment.

"I talked to the garrison commander and the housing team today. I know we're not talking about

housing, but related to this, there will be, I'll use the term 'mad rush,' for transportation with

everybody right after the 30th of June. And that's when we will try to prioritize some of the

moves by a couple of criteria, a couple of metrics.

"Those who have to get somewhere very quickly, those who may be going overseas, those who

may have an EFMP issue where they need to move, or school, and all of that needs to be shared

with the chain-of-command. We'll attempt our best to prioritize the transportation.

"It may be getting off-topic a tad bit, but just yesterday I read in an amendment, well, some

additional information on the travel ban. They are offering opportunities for some Soldiers to

extend in the current duty assignment if a job is available for you. So that's something you can

work with the chain-of-command as well.

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"And I read something yesterday about, matter of fact we have some Soldiers that have been

offered this, an opportunity to do a personally procured movement, and being reimbursed up to

about 95 percent, I believe it was. That's being looked at as well by many. And perhaps the

remaining five percent is something that could be requested for reimbursement. I don't have a ton

of detail on it. I read it just yesterday in open source as well, but it was through DA channels.

"So, some mitigating measures out there to kinda lessen the pain on those who need to PCS right

away.

"Break. And I'd like to add one more thing...If you're in a situation where you're supposed to be

at your duty unit, say July 10th, and impacted by this travel ban, you don't have an approved ETP

to move early, please come up on the net right away, through the S-1 channels and through the

headquarters channels.

"We will work to get a hold of your gaining unit to move that arrival time to the right. It makes

sense, it works, and it's good for the families and it's something that's doable. At least asking for

it is doable. And we'll see what the gaining unit says..."

COL. SCALIA says the website the commanding general referred to is: move.mil, then:

"..That allows us to lean forward in preparing your residence, and forecasting what will be

available and when to have our turn teams for that maintenance ready to go.

"Lastly, for those of you who are moving overseas, there are the challenges of passports and

some cases even visas. So that is something we're working with the Human Resources channels,

and S-1, G-1 channels. The sooner we can get those orders for those families, the sooner we can

get the ball rolling on getting those passports and visas, which can unfortunately, sometimes be

pretty burdensome and lengthy process."

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MODERATOR reads question: "Can anyone help me? My son is EMFP and I received an

email stating his EMFP status needs to be updated. EMFP isn't answering the phone. What

do I do? I have underlying health conditions and cannot leave home, as do two of my kids."

COL. HOFFMAN:

"...about our EFMP program...That number is 762-408-2423. That's available 24 hours a day,

seven days a week. You can also find the medical EFMP link on the Fort Benning MWR page.

Please, we do advise you, please leave a voice mail if no one does answer the phone, and your

call will be returned within 72 hours. Also the hours of operation for our EFMP services, we are

closed on Mondays. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday we are available 0900 to 1600 and then on

Thursdays, 1030 to 1600."

MODERATOR reads question: "Since so many states are running antibody tests and trials

now, is Martin Army Community Hospital or Columbus running any tests? I would love to

participate, even if it’s for a trial."

COL. HOFFMAN:

"...Regarding the antibody testing, we're not currently offering that at Martin Army at present. I

did hear that that is available in the community at certain locations..."

MODERATOR reads question: "At the town hall for families and Soldiers last week, Colonel

Hoffman discussed looking at an outside site for well visits for infants' vaccinations...as well

as pregnant mothers. She stated: 'looking at an outside resource for those types of

appointments and procedures' and Terry Beckwith commented: 'As Colonel Hoffman

mentioned, we are looking at alternative locations. As soon as they are finalized, the

information will be provided to the community.' What is the status of this?"

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COL. HOFFMAN:

"...This is something that we've discussed at past town halls, and something we continue to

discuss as a group at Martin Army as well, something we're looking into, assessing, as we move

forward in the COVID-19 pandemic.

"At present, we are providing all those services at our main hospital facility. As many of you are

aware, we are doing robust screening at the entrance to all of our facilities, particularly our main

hospital...We're separating those individuals that are there for well baby, pregnant moms, those

well services, we're separating those individuals from those individuals that might be there that

are exhibiting symptoms, that are there for ED services...separating those individuals and

running them through separate entrances as well. So we feel we have a great process in place

currently for screening and protecting, keeping those individuals safe at our main facility. Again,

as mentioned, it is something we continue to assess and look at, moving forward. But at this time

we do continue to offer those services at our main facility, at Martin Army."

MODERATOR reads question: "Is there an update for DoDEA or ESY/summer school for

special education students? I've directed my questions to the DoDEA superintendent and our

school's principals, but have not received a response."

COL. SCALIA:

"I apologize if you're not getting a more prompt answer...Let me finish that question about

extended school year. Again the dates are June 8th to July 10th. We don't know at this point if it

is going to be face-to-face as normal, or, as we're currently doing with our DoDEA school year,

finishing our school year, remote learning. More to follow on that. Conditions-based. We can't

set a date in answer. It all depends on the situation here on the ground.

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"The amount of time required will be determined by the school's CSC and IEP team, that's the

Individual Education Program team, so please contact them, and I believe we have the phone

numbers on the screen for you to contact as well..."

MODERATOR reads question: "My son rides dirt bikes as well as my husband. They have not

ridden due to the General Order. My question is, if it is within the 50-mile distance and we

practice social distancing, is it possible to go? We live on a post, and the fear is being

questioned, if he is not acceptable. Thank you."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...I will be doing some amendments to General Order Number 1, very soon, in light of the

conditions right now. First of all I wanna say thank you to you and everybody else, for your

discipline in adhering to what was put out in G-O Number 1...a little over a month ago now. It

really has made a difference, and I think if you just look at our stats across the post related to

COVID-19, you can see that it has been working.

"So when I amend G-O Number 1 and some...other restrictions on post, movement, leave

distance, how far you can go on pass and leave, emergency leave, all that'll be addressed.

"But specifically, in this case, I think I'll wait or go through the garrison channels to address this

specific question on bike riding.

"If you're on post and you want to do some recreational activity you can ride your bike. I'm not

aware of any places where you can take the dirt bikes, or driving it from here to a city or so, but

I'll address that with the essential activities...I know I didn't get to your question directly but as I

amend G-O Number 1 this topic of movement and travel will be addressed..."

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MODERATOR reads question: "With the governor lifting some things, especially by the time

this town hall happens, can we please just be allowed to go to the river or lake with our

families? Not needed for friends to go, just want families. Summer is the only escape a lot of

families have around here as my family is a very avid boat/lake/water sport family."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...as a federal entity we have some responsibilities that I owe and all the leaders owe to all our

families and Soldiers here on post. So with that, some of what we're doing may not exactly

mirror the restriction and the application of the restrictions or the opening of the restrictions

throughout the state, and locally as well.

"At the tail end of this town hall today the garrison commander's gonna talk to some of the

resumption of activities that have already been decided, and as I mentioned up front this one

specifically will be addressed in some of the future phases that we'll look at and the amendments

that are put in G-O Number 1 as well.

"So I fully, 100 percent understand the stress that this brings on some individual Soldiers and

families. And personally, I'd like to do it as well. But I'm adhering to my own guidance that we

put out, that it is making a difference...We do indeed have a plan to make it less restrictive as we

go forward, to include some of the water sports, hunting, fishing..."

COL. SCALIA:

"As we advise the commanding general, as a staff, it's important that we look at what's

happening around us as well. So we are aware of what's happening in Columbus. They've opened

up some things but other things not, not so much...

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"The minimizing the travel on and off post, and the numbers we've seen, visitors and even just

vehicular traffic, extreme reductions, of more than 50 percent in most cases, we believe has been

a large part of the success here on Fort Benning. And the low numbers of positives we've seen.

So, the commanding general continues to ask for our patience. All the leaders here do. And I will

talk about some of the on-post activities we will be opening up at the end."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"Thanks, Matt. And I do ask, just to, you know, stay in this fight with me for a little bit longer –

with us – for a little bit longer, 'cause as he's mentioned, and we have the stats to prove it...[it]

really, really has made a difference from the 20 to 30,000 that used to come to the gate, through

the summer, actually more – our installation used to have more visitors than any in the Army – to

a much lower fraction of that because of this, to include, again, your continued support on the

activities, off post. And I'm very well aware of what the state is doing in the local community,

and I'm very well aware of it being summertime. So, the indicators are going in the right

direction, I think we'll be able to move there very, very soon. Shortly. Thanks."

MODERATOR reads question:"My husband and I were supposed to PCS, Permanent

Change of Station, on March the 17th. Our household goods were already picked up and

shipped to Washington and we were not able to get them back due to it being a DITY move.

We have had to pay $1,000 a month now for storage. Is there a way we can [get] help covering

these costs while we wait to PCS? I know that the travel ban is supposed to be extended but

will there be exceptions made?"

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MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...This is a tough one. And it may fall in within the waiver or the exception category to the

current travel ban which is through the 30th of June...As I read this, it sounds like, also through

your own pocket, household goods were shipped to Washington. And right now by the policy,

no, you potentially will not get a reimbursement for it. And I do feel sorry for ya and it is bad at

this point that you're paying a lot of out-of-pocket costs just to live.

"So, I could recommend a couple [of] courses of action. One, go see your chain-of-command

right away, and see if they can write up through an exception of policy to see if you can get some

level of reimbursement, or, be allowed to move given the conditions of this, and the conditions

that your household goods have already been sent forward, you paid for it out-of-pocket. And

that in itself may qualify for an ETP to allow you and your family to move. The near-term, I'll

say the 10-meter target, sounds like you need some financial assistance possibly.

"Again, talk to the chain-of-command. We have AER loans that could assist, and you can work

that through the proper channels, or through some other venues here that could assist with the

commodities you may need to sustain life or just live at this point or help pay the bills.

"But I would go back to the ETP asking that you can move, explain all the conditions, that you

shipped out-of-pocket early, your stuff has gone forward, it is not coming back and you need to

join it. And we'll send that up very quickly."

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MODERATOR reads question: "With the stay at home order being lifted for the state, when

can we see things start opening back up on post, mainly focusing on day cares and fitness

centers?"

MAJ. BRITO:

"...There'll be some activities that'll be opening as early as this weekend...I've also, through the

staff work, have identified the health metrics required or desired to open up barber shops, fitness

centers, the CDCs and other things that our families use, and the rec centers as well for our single

Soldiers.

"Fully understanding that it has changed a lot of our daily lives a little bit, and disruptive and

causing some stress. So, I cannot give you a timeline. I can say that from this weekend forward

for the next four to six weeks, we've laid out a phase plan, and much of that is tied to the

anticipated gates of the travel ban, and the anticipated gates of what we see the peak in the

COVID-positive cases on and off post and throughout the state, and when we have a sustained

14-day decline of those positive cases.

"And a lot of that is tied to the testing, and the way we see ourselves as well. But without that

continued sustainment of decreases in positive cases and what looks to be resumption of a very

healthy climate, we won't get to those gates where we can reopen these things.

"I do have the hard dates and if we continue on that plateauing on down, I can say, over the next

four to six weeks we will very closely, well, not quickly, but start opening up some of our

activities that were mentioned in this question.

"Even with that, I will continue and I'll [word/s indistinct] on this all night: please do maintain

your social distancing on and off post, wherever you may go.

21

"Please do wear the face mask, and if you're a Soldier, wear the face mask all the time, even if

you think you won't be within six feet of somebody.

"That is also making a difference here on post and off post and across the state quite frankly.

Even as we resume some of those activities, there's gonna be adjustments to our behaviors, until

there's a vaccine out there, which is several months down the line..."

MODERATOR reads question: "Does this mean that getting visitor passes to post will be

extended as well to the same date?" MODERATOR adds: "I think they're asking, since the

travel restriction ban was extended to the 30th, are visitor passes to post will be extended?..."

COL. SCALIA:

"...It is really not tied to the 30 June stop move date. This is still just local, our assessment of the

local conditions here, and when we are comfortable opening up...So currently we remain visitor

passes by exception only, certainly not for entertainment or recreational purposes. And the

Trusted Traveler Program is still on pause right now. You can get all the information, latest info

on installation access at benning.army.mil/gateinfo..."

MODERATOR reads question: "Since essential personnel are trying to homeschool as well,

and some other kids with special needs, and those kids need a bit more assistance, is it possible

to continue to use the resources through the school ? For example we are at Stowers and can

get to the [library] and can use Benchmark. Would that Google Classroom / research school

side be available throughout the summer break so people who work, or kids who need more

help, can catch up and repeat lessons?"

22

COL. SCALIA:

"...the short answer is yes....your first point of contact would be the homeroom teacher and

school administration for your child's assigned school and they can provide you more

information...Please also use our school liaison officers here within the Army Community

Service, ACS, and you can find their contact information at our MWR website for Fort Benning.

They are wonderful assets for us. They engage with the schools directly, and not just on-post but

off-post schools as well, and can really help communicate your needs and get you the right

answers."

MODERATOR reads question: "I was curious if anyone could provide information and

insight as to when the child centers on post will be opening again? In light of businesses

opening their doors in the next coming weeks, I was curious when we would be able to bring

our children back to their designated centers for care"

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...This will not be one of those activities that will be opening up this weekend, or this week, but

possibly one over the next two weeks. And Matt and I discussed the metrics needed for that. And

there is, as mentioned, as illustrated in the question, a little lash-up between the activities that are

occurring off post, increased activities, and on post, and some of the things that just come with

the natural summer surge as well. But tied to that, we're also monitoring the health, social

distancing, and other procedures as well, in all of the CDCs and day care centers..."

COL SCALIA:

"...We've condensed it down to just a very small group receiving spaces at the Child

Development Centers and School Age children services.

23

"Try to protect the bubble of those on the first-line fight against COVID-19, largely the families

or personnel working at the hospital, okay? And I think that has proven quite successful, yet

appreciating the challenges to all the other families as they're trying to figure out child care.

"So as General Brito said, it is conditions-based, not date-based. So we are looking at...the threat

outside. We do..have great capacity. We're very fortunate at Fort Benning. So where I think

we're going to be able to move is, still protect this hospital population, and then gradually reopen

some of the other Child Development Centers.

"And we will prioritize in accordance with DoD prioritization. So for example, the top priority

would be single and dual active-duty members. Next might be...they would be above active-duty

members who have a spouse, full-time employment, civilian employment, and they would be

above DoD civilians, and that is all DoD standards.

"Now the end state of this, is, we will be back prior to all of this craziness, and if you had a

reserve spot before, we'll get you back in and we'll go through the whole cycle. One website to

share quickly is, militarychildcare.com...Check out that website. If you haven't registered yet,

that's where you would start and you can learn more information about that prioritization."

MODERATOR says that because of technical problems with the live-stream, he wants to re-

ask a question asked earlier, in case audience was unable to hear previous answer: "I want to

go back and address a question that we had, I think we had a 'commercial break.' I apologize for

that. Maybe some technical difficulties. MODERATOR reads question: "How will

transportation be handled on Fort Benning for PCS moves after the stop-travel order is lifted

on 30 June? Will we need to wait until after the order is lifted to begin the process, or will we

be able to begin clearing and scheduling movers before 30 June for a move sometime in July

or August?"

24

COL. SCALIA:

"...First off, move.mil is the website. The orders are your golden ticket for you to get on there

and make your transportation appointments. You will not have to wait until after June 30th to

make the appointments. We'll get transportation for you set, and household goods packed and

loaded up on the truck.

"You, will not be able to move until after June 30th, but we can get the ball rolling. We are still

working out here at our level how we may have to prioritize those who get orders soonest

because of hard dates at their gaining station."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"We do know, that we, we have had some that...had orders in hand when this new travel ban

extension was emplaced. Let's just say 10 July from Fort Benning to Korea. Matter of fact that's

one of the exceptions that we did have. So turn in the exception to policy. We'll send it up and

see if it gets approved to allow you to start moving. Korea's a great example. It's gonna take six

to eight weeks, even longer, to get your stuff over there, so that's one of these cases that would

probably be approved through the ETP process..."

MODERATOR reads question: "Are customers required to wear mask or facial coverings

when visiting the ID Card facility or when they are dropping off or picking up mail at the

Official Mail and Distribution Center?"

COL. SCALIA:

"...Soldiers out there, (holds up a mask) this is like your weapon. Okay? So you carry this on you

at all times. The requirement for the mask and face covering is for situations where you're unable

to achieve that six-foot standoff of social distancing. And if you've been in the ID card section,

you can see necessarily, because of privacy issues, those are enclosed spaces.

25

"So we do ask, in the ID card section, be required that you go in with a face mask. You'll be able

to take it off so you can get your pretty picture for your new ID card, but we do need you

wearing the mask when you go in there. And for picking up mail, Soldiers, bring your mask

when you're pickin' up mail."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"And, flip side of that is, the person on the other side of the screen is probably wearing the mask

as well, at the post office or the one working the computer for your ID card. So it's a two-way

responsibility."

MODERATOR turns over to panel for closing comments.

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...I would just say up front, as I...mentioned earlier, working with the staff, we do have a phase

plan and will be making some movements toward resumption of normal activities here on post

and for our families that live off post as well.

"It's still a long journey. but we do see the light at the end of the tunnel, and you watch the same

news as well as I do. We're gonna be very deliberate about this, and very cautious as well for the

health, safety and protection – and I'm not sayin' that just as a bumper sticker – of all of our

Soldiers and families. I'm gonna turn it over to Matt in a moment to talk through some decisions

that have been made so far, which is just the beginning of some of the things we're gonna phase

over time.

"But before I do that, sincerely team, ladies and gentlemen, I really, really do appreciate your

individual discipline, your patience and understanding, as we continue to fight this COVID-19

threat, or pandemic. It really has made a difference. We are not out of the woods yet. We will get

there as a team. And again I just really appreciate all that you've done.

26

"So with that Matt, turn it to you, just to talk through some of the decisions that have been made

so far, to bring us back to some level of normalcy."

COL. SCALIA:

"...I'm happy to announce some of the following openings of activities here on post. Hunting and

fishing will be able to resume on Friday...So that's great news. Good luck. You will see and have

to acknowledge a statement when you get onto the website to check in...Procedures really

otherwise remain the same. Golf. Golf will open on Friday. Bring your own clubs and be

prepared to walk. We are not at this time renting out clubs, nor are we renting out the carts. That

is something we hope to get to by next week but not quite yet. Have some homework for the

commanding general there. Recreational Shooting Complex will open on Friday with full

operations. You will see some variation on how you enter and exit the building. You will be able

to rent weapons. They will be thoroughly cleaned prior to each rental and upon turn in, so you

can feel safe in what you receive. And firing points, we will close down every other one to

ensure dispersion.

"When you come, if you come, family members, same household, you may occupy the same

firing point, but if you're just two buddies, then you gotta disperse with proper distancing.

"Also, MWR...they are planning a drive-in movie night. We're looking mid-May time frame. We

will publish this properly for you. But I'd like families to look forward to this. You know, drive

up, old school, bring your own popcorn and watch a big drive-in movie.

"We'll be asking for suggestions from you on what movies you like to watch, but there'll be

several days' opportunity for that. Details to follow, but please look forward.

"Playgrounds. We're not reopening them yet. Columbus, looking to them as a model.

27

"They haven't opened but we are talking to the medical community, when might be a good time

to do so. Please be patient. And for all of these activities reopening, this does not mean visitors

can come on. So, you might have a hunting permit for Fort Benning, but if you still only get on

with a visitor's pass, this is no reason to be coming on...Same with golf, same with the

Recreational Shooting Complex, these are really reserved for those who get on post with that

issued ID card..."

MAJ. GEN. BRITO:

"...Ladies and gentlemen, I would add, if conditions should get worse, worsen over time, this will

be reversed. I think it's important to help us maintain the safety for our Soldiers, families and

civilians as well.

"There are a few questions we got, I don't think we gave enough answers to, or didn't quite

understand the question, we had several questions come in live as well. So I'm gonna ask the

team, Martin Army and garrison, to address any schooling or DoDEA issues on their respective

garrison page, any testing or medical issues that we didn't get to, on your respective Martin

Army page as well. We'll post that.

"And ladies and gentlemen, please keep giving your feedback...your questions, concerns, are

very helpful and we're listening. But as I said up front, we're taking a very, very deliberate

approach to doing what's right for you and for the entire team, and I very much appreciate your

support today..."

MODERATOR thanks panel and audience, apologizes for technical problems.

END TRANSCRIPT

(Transcribed and edited by Franklin S. Fisher, Command Information Officer, MCoE/Fort

Benning Public Affairs Office)