NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Federal budget cuts are forcing changes in an annual Army competition to name the soldier of the year.
The Army Training and Doctrine Command no longer hosts contestants at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia for several days of competition.
Instead, soldiers complete tasks like physical tests, land navigation and written exams either at their home posts or at a nearby one.
Army officials say they would prefer to have the soldiers come to Virginia for each of the tasks, but they can't afford to in a time of shrinking budgets.
On Wednesday, Army leaders will complete interviews via video teleconference to help them pick a winner. That person will advance to the Army's Best Warrior competition, pitting 12 global commands against each other.
A winner will be announced Thursday.
