Army Cancels 34 Medical Training Courses Over Budget Shortfall

The Army has canceled at least 34 medical-related training courses during the second half of the Pentagon’s fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30, according to internal documents reviewed by ABC News. The cuts originate from the Army Medical Center of Excellence at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Many of the canceled programs involve frontline combat casualty care, leadership training for medical officers, and courses on animal care, behavioral science, food safety inspections, and operations in radioactive environments.

Commanders have been directed to scrutinize spending closely as the service confronts ballooning operational costs. These include support for a 76-day Department of Homeland Security shutdown involving border missions, rising fuel costs, and expenses tied to the conflict with Iran.

The Army’s III Armored Corps at Fort Hood, Texas, had training funds diverted, with helicopter units expected to deploy to Europe next year facing reduced readiness. An internal memorandum warned that pilot training was limited to minimum requirements to fly.

U.S. officials. 1 billion this year. 5 trillion budget for next year. Lawmakers are preparing for a supplemental funding request to cover war-related costs, which Defense Department officials estimate have already exceeded $29 billion. "The Army has issued guidance to subordinate commands – for the remainder of this fiscal year, to make tough and sound resource decisions that optimize and prioritize resources toward their most critical requirements, to include major training and readiness events," Col.

Marty Meiners, a service spokesperson, said in a statement.