Military leaders look for ways to conquer heat while training troops

July's record-breaking temperatures are fueling concerns of a spike in heat-related illnesses across the armed services.The Union of Concerned Scientists warns if the planet warms at the current rate, U.S. military bases will average an additional month of dangerously hot days by 2050. The Defense Centers for Public Health said more than 1,500 soldiers develop heat illness each year. Hundreds of those happen at Fort Moore in Georgia, where the Maneuver Center of Excellence oversees the Army's Heat Center.The center, established in 2019, identifies risks and creates guidelines to reduce heat-related injuries. Center Director Lt. Col. David DeGroot says heat exhaustion cases have doubled, but the number of heat stroke cases has reduced by 70%. "Heat stroke is what can kill someone when not properly treated," DeGroot said.DeGroot leads monthly drill sergeant trainings, educating leadership on best practices for training in excessive heat. Practices suggested include changing training schedules on brutally hot days, sharing ways to prevent heat illness and treating it when it happens.DeGroot believes his work is making a big change, saying, "It's a team effort. The heat center provides recommendations, commanders conduct training, drill sergeants conduct training. We give them the tools to do so smartly."The Pentagon's not only focusing on heat but all climate threats, dedicating billions of dollars to mitigate risks. The world's largest naval installation, Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, is one of 53 installations that face recurrent flooding. Billions of dollars worth of damage has been reported at the base. The department says another 60 bases face the same threat if sea levels continue to rise. In the Arctic, the department says thawing permafrost is destroying runways and other infrastructure at military bases. Meanwhile, another 52 installations remain vulnerable to the impacts of drought and wildfires. Producer Charlee Caudill and photojournalist Phil Dupont contributed to this report.

FORT MOORE, Ga. —

July's record-breaking temperatures are fueling concerns of a spike in heat-related illnesses across the armed services.

The Union of Concerned Scientists warns if the planet warms at the current rate, U.S. military bases will average an additional month of dangerously hot days by 2050.

The Defense Centers for Public Health said more than 1,500 soldiers develop heat illness each year. Hundreds of those happen at Fort Moore in Georgia, where the Maneuver Center of Excellence oversees the Army's Heat Center.

The center, established in 2019, identifies risks and creates guidelines to reduce heat-related injuries. Center Director Lt. Col. David DeGroot says heat exhaustion cases have doubled, but the number of heat stroke cases has reduced by 70%.

"Heat stroke is what can kill someone when not properly treated," DeGroot said.

DeGroot leads monthly drill sergeant trainings, educating leadership on best practices for training in excessive heat. Practices suggested include changing training schedules on brutally hot days, sharing ways to prevent heat illness and treating it when it happens.

DeGroot believes his work is making a big change, saying, "It's a team effort. The heat center provides recommendations, commanders conduct training, drill sergeants conduct training. We give them the tools to do so smartly."

The Pentagon's not only focusing on heat but all climate threats, dedicating billions of dollars to mitigate risks. The world's largest naval installation, Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia, is one of 53 installations that face recurrent flooding. Billions of dollars worth of damage has been reported at the base. The department says another 60 bases face the same threat if sea levels continue to rise.

In the Arctic, the department says thawing permafrost is destroying runways and other infrastructure at military bases. Meanwhile, another 52 installations remain vulnerable to the impacts of drought and wildfires.

Producer Charlee Caudill and photojournalist Phil Dupont contributed to this report.

Military leaders look for ways to conquer heat while training troops

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