Impact of Army reductions will be widespread, general says
(Worthy News) – Planned cuts to the Army’s end strength will touch nearly every base and will include some involuntary layoffs, officials said Thursday, though D.C.-area installations avoid the brunt of the reductions, the Washington Times reported.
Beginning in October, the Army will begin cutting 40,000 soldiers, bringing the Army’s end strength from 490,000 to 450,000 by the end of fiscal 2018.
“These cuts will impact nearly every Army installation,” Brig. Gen. Randy George, director of force management, told reporters. “These are incredibly difficult choices.” [ Source ]
‘Dangerously low’: Army unveils deep troop cuts, eyes smallest force since 9/11
Though military officials say their hands are tied by funding levels, lawmakers decried the reductions as a security threat. The new cuts will shrink the Army to its smallest size since 9/11.
“People who believe the world is safer, that we can do with less defense spending and 40,000 fewer soldiers, will take this as good news. I am not one of those people,” House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry said in a statement.
On top of the Army reduction, the Navy may have to pull its aircraft carrier from the Persian Gulf for the first time since 9/11, Fox News has learned. [ Source ]