FORT BRAGG, N.C. — Military priorities put majors last on the triage list as a part of procedures to manage the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, sources confirmed.

Emails obtained by reporters show that the Army Surgeon General directed hospitals to apply a “Priority 3 (minimal care; do not resuscitate)” tag to majors. This tag prioritizes soldiers of other ranks, spouses of sergeants, and pets above majors for medical care. The Air Force has adopted a similar rule.

When asked for comment, the Surgeon General’s Public Affairs Office provided a written statement that said in part: “'Advanced triage' procedures require that some patients be left untreated to bolster resources for more hopeful cases. As such, medical care must be withheld for officers with terminal careers.”