JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash – The Pentagon announced Thursday it is reducing the size of the U.S. Army by 40,000 soldiers, including around 1,250 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
It's not clear yet if any civilian contractors at JBLM will be affected.
The reductions will happen between 2016 - 2017. The total force of the Army will drop from 490,000 to 450,000 troops.
The Army has let go of 4,721 soldiers at JBLM since 2012 according to an Army spokesman. This latest round of layoffs is part of the Army's force reduction plan which is largely driven by budget cuts.
JBLM will also lose the Western Regional Medical Command which oversees Madigan Army Medical Center and 10 other hospitals west of the Mississippi River. That division is relocating to Hawaii, which will affect about three dozen jobs at the JBLM.
The Pentagon also announced the Washington National Guard's 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team, which operates Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles, will convert into a Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Washington National Guard commander Major General Bret Daughtery said it will make it easier and faster for troops to respond to disasters.
"Our tanks and Bradleys are critical for our federal mission, however, they're too heavy to move on our local roads making them almost useless following a state disaster. The Strykers are a more mobile, versatile vehicle that will ensure the Washington National Guard can get out into our communities and perform its mission to save lives and protect property here at home," said Daugherty.
Gov. Jay Inslee said Washington state is prepared to manage the reductions at JBLM.
"Today's news is as good as we could have hoped for, and I thank all the congressional and local leaders who helped make the case for Washington state and helped us be as prepared as possible. I am committed to ensuring that every service member or family member impacted by today's decision is provided the resources they need to transition seamlessly. We know there may be more in the future and our work isn't done," said Inslee in a statement.
Senator Patty Murray, D-Wash., was not as pleased and released this statement:
"A strong and growing Joint Base Lewis-McChord is critical to our communities and essential to our national security—so I am incredibly disappointed by this decision that will affect so many members of the JBLM community and deliver a hit to the local economy. While we all know the cuts could have been deeper, I believe any reductions at JBLM are misguided, especially with the natural strategic advantages of the Puget Sound.
"The men and women of our military community deserve resources and support, so I will be working with our local, state, and federal partners to do whatever we can to mitigate the damage from this decision and protect local families and communities. This includes helping service members get the skills, workforce training, and transition support they need to move into good, high-paying jobs.
"Our troops made a commitment to our country, and I believe we must uphold our commitment to them. In the coming weeks and months, it will be critical that we do everything possible to make sure the South Sound comes through this period of deeply damaging cuts in as strong a position as possible. Because of this community's resiliency, commitment to our state and country, and proud tradition of supporting JBLM, I believe we can make that happen."
Meanwhile, local businesses say the reduction won't affect them that much.
"There's so much panic when they lose soldiers ultimately I think people assume business are going to go broke. They don't go broke. They just have to adjust and we wait until it goes back to normal," said Rod Mason, restaurant owner.
KING 5's Jenna Hanchard contributed to this report.
