BEST SQUAD COMPETITION
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DC Community Day

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October 11, 2025

The Army's Best Squad Competition - DC Community Day event is an annual event to showcase Soldier fitness and introduce the Community to the Army. The event is scheduled for October 11, 2025, on the National Mall. During the day, Soldiers competing to be the Best Squad will participate in the culminating fitness event full of high-level challenges that highlight their skills and abilities.

After the team complete their fitness challenges, the community is welcome to meet Soldiers and enjoy live performances by the U.S. Army As You Were Band. There will also be more fitness competitions with local community teams, retired NFL and UFC members, and US Army units. Lastly join the celebration as a group of future Soldiers take the oath of enlistment and embark on their U.S. Army journey.



The U.S. Army Band Downrange perform after the community day event of the Best Squad Competition on the National Mall in Washington DC on October 12, 2024.

LOCATION

Welcome Ceremony World War II Memorial on the National Mall
1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
Directions

Fitness Competitions & Community Day Events JFK Soccer Fields on the National Mall
1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20004
Directions

Schedule

WWII Monument

  • 0900: Welcome Ceremony

JFK Hockey Fields

  • 1000-1230: BSC Fitness Competition/Awards
  • 1230-1700: US Army Community Day

NOT ALLOWED

  • Aerosols
  • Ammunition
  • Animals other than service/guide animals
  • Backpacks, bags, and soft-sided coolers exceeding size restrictions (18” x 13” x 7”)
  • Bicycles
  • Balloons
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems
  • Explosives
  • Firearms
  • Flammable liquids
  • Glass containers
  • Knives
  • Laser pointers
  • Mace/Pepper spray
  • Multitools (Leatherman, Gerber, etc.)
  • Packages
  • Range Finder
  • Razors
  • Recreational motorized mobility devices
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Signs exceeding size restrictions (20’ x 3’ x 1/4”)
  • Structures/ Tents/ Canopies
  • Supports for signs and placards
  • Toy guns
  • Tripods and monopods
  • Umbrellas (umbrellas without metal tips will be permitted)
  • Weapons of any kind
  • Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards


With respect to signs and placards, security concerns require these items be limited to cardboard, poster board or cloth fabrication. As noted above, for the safety and security of all participants, supports for signs are prohibited as these items can used for harm.

Additionally, the prohibition on structures includes props, displays such as puppets, papier mâché objects, coffins, crates, crosses other than those worn as personal adornment in sizes consistent with jewelry, theaters, cages and statues. It does not include signs meeting the size and material restrictions, portable bullhorns, baby carriages, baby strollers, wheelchairs and other devices for individuals with a disability. Nor does the prohibition extend to structures that are incapable of being moved or relocated for the duration of the event that are in place sufficiently in advance of the event that they are subject to inspection and clearance before the public is admitted to the area. These restrictions are similar to the restrictions on the size, physical composition and use of signs, placards and structures on the White House sidewalk set forth in 36 CFR 7.96(g)(5).

Image: Soldiers assigned to the U.S. Army Drill Team, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard,” perform during the 250th U.S. Army Birthday Festival on the National Mall in Washington, June 14, 2025. The event featured performances, interactive exhibits and historical displays celebrating the Army’s 250 years of service. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Nathan Winter)

FOLLOW THE COMPETITION

Additional stories, videos and photos are available on DVIDS