Pentagon Orders Troops br to Wear Masks U.S. troops worldwide must wear masks and sew br their own if necessary if they cannot maintain br social distancing standards. Defense Secretary br Mark Esper, via statement The Pentagon made the announcement as one of the latest measures to combat the ongoing spread of the coronavirus. Serious concerns remain as COVID-19 cases continue br to rise and the ability to maintain social distance becomes increasingly challenging aboard military ships and aircraft. The issue of infections in the ranks came to head when the USS Theodore Roosevelt was forced to dock in Guam after br an outbreak among sailors. The aircraft carrier’s commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, br was relieved of command after his letter br raising health concerns became public.