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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Military Stationed at Fort Leonard Wood - Get Ready for a Massive 41% Downsize

    From Friends stationed in Middle Missouri Fort Leonard Wood

    What we are seeing in this area now is only the beginning people. Simple equation: smaller Army = less troops to train = less people to do the training and support = less jobs in the area. 41% decrease to FLW (Fort Leonard Wood) is HUGE to this entire area. A significant RIF (Reduction In Force) is already projected for FLW next year. Just because FLW is here now doesn't mean it will always be here. It was almost BRAC'd closed
    (Base Realignment and Closure) a few years ago when the economy was much better. The only thing that saved it then was that we had a strong voice in DC in Mr Skelton, who fought to keep FLW open, and your jobs here. Your future and livelihood is just a "game" of politics in DC; and of who can swing the biggest hammer to get things their way for their area and their re-election. One reason I left, when the "going was good".

    See Below


    Community Call to Action

    The United States Army is asking for public comment on its plan to reduce the total number of forces from 562,000 at the end of fiscal year 2012 to 490,000 by fiscal year 2020 and the realignment of its forces over the coming years. The plan will result in significant impacts on a variety of economic measures in communities neighboring 21 installations, according to an Army assessment of potential changes to the service’s force structure scheduled to occur over the next seven years. This plan will have a significant impact on the socioeconomic status of our communities neighboring Fort Leonard Wood. The direct economic impacts could include reduced employment, income, regional population and sales.

    This call for public comment is our opportunity as citizens, business owners, community leaders, support organizations and policy advocates to let our voices be heard by the Army before their suspense of March 21, 2013. We encourage everyone to participate in this unique opportunity to provide the Army with our feedback. We ask that everyone serve as an Ambassador in supporting this initiative and spreading the word to all of our fellow community members. We encourage the submission of individual, organizational and collective feedback from the different perspectives that you are willing to share. Strong responses from the region and our state supporters are needed so that the Army understands the impact that the proposed cuts will cause locally, regionally and within the state. We encourage everyone to share their thoughts on the idea that the Army should consider Fort Leonard Wood for growth and new missions instead of cuts to its military population.

    Fort Leonard Wood Impact.
    The current permanent party force is 9,495 Soldiers and Army Civilians. This does not include trainees, students, family members, other Service members, contractors or non-full time employees.

    The reduction for Fort Leonard Wood would be up to 3,900 soldiers and Army civilians. This would be a loss of 41% of permanent staff at FLW. The model the Army uses also projects a loss of 450 direct and 504 indirect jobs in the region.

    The projected economic impact in the three county region (Laclede, Phelps and Pulaski) would be as follows:
    Annual Sales Annual Income Employment Population
    -$167.6M -$177.9M -4,818 -9,729
    -8% -6.75% -11.21% -7.5%

    There would also be a loss of almost 3,700 K12 students in the region.

    The study also identifies a loss of 10% of training load and an unknown percent of Other Service members that are not factored into the analysis.

    Sample Memorandum.
    The sample memorandum below provides a format that can be individualized and sent to the Army directly from this webpage. Please add to the memo any additional comments you wish to make discussing your perspective on the adverse impacts of the proposed cuts at Fort Leonard Wood. We also encourage your providing input on the potential for growth and new missions at Fort Leonard Wood and how we as communities are prepared to embrace such growth.

    Sample Letter.
    There is also an editable letter provided in a Word format for a more in depth response to the Army if desired. You may want to use your letterhead for this letter. Also on this webpage are copies of the Army’s comprehensive plan, an executive summary, and the portion of the plan that addresses Fort Leonard Wood specifically.






    To Whom It May Concern:

    The Army is incorrect in finding that there is no significant impact as a result of the Army’s force reduction plan which eliminates up to 3,900 military and civilian positions at Fort Leonard Wood.
    The economic impact across the three-county region, as defined in the study, would be devastating. However, as the study notes, only a portion of the potential loss is considered in the study. The study states that there may be also be a loss of 10% of training load, and an unknown loss of Other Service positions at Fort Leonard Wood and that these loses are not factored into analysis. The failure to address these related losses is a major deficiency in the study.

    It is also important to emphasize that the preponderance of the impact will be felt in one of the counties, Pulaski. The analysis should provide a separate focus on Pulaski County as well as the regional focus. Likewise, Texas County to the south of Fort Leonard Wood will be seriously affected. However, it is not addressed in the study.

    The study assumes a loss of 35% of the installation’s Soldiers, as well as a loss of up to 15% of civilian employees. The Waynesville R-VI School District is heavily impacted by the installation’s presence as approximately 60% of its students are military dependents and an additional 15% of its students are dependents of civilians working on the installation. Application of the force structure plan is estimated to significantly decrease the district’s current student population of 6,000 students.

    An important consideration prior to implementation of the force structure realignment should be that the school district has invested significantly over the past few years in constructing and/or renovating educational facilities, including a new high school, new career center, new sixth grade center, and new elementary school, to list a few. These investments have been made to enhance the educational environment and to create additional room for continued growth in student population.

    A serious flaw in the study is the assumption that all installations and communities are alike whether they are located in a high-density urban environment or a severely rural environment. An installation’s downsizing in these counties is far more significant than in a region in which the Army is not the largest employer.

    The Department needs to consider the impact that this loss would have on the entire state of Missouri. Fort Leonard Wood is one of the largest employers in the State and has a $2-3 Billion annual economic impact on the state.
    Fort Leonard Wood is an important asset for the Army and the Department of Defense (DOD).

    • There is important synergy in having Forces Command and Training and Doctrine Command maneuver enhancement/support elements collocated at the same installation.
    • The installation is strategically located in the middle of the country and can provide critical support in event of floods, a New Madrid earthquake or other natural or man-made disasters in the Mid-West. It has excellent air, rail and road connectivity.
    • The Army has made a multi-billion dollar investment in new infrastructure at the installation. Its operating costs are among the lowest in DOD.
    • The quality of life is high, and the cost of living is low. K12 schools and post-secondary education opportunities are exceptional.
    • The region is very pro-military. Most soldiers retiring at Fort Leonard Wood stay in the region, making the region even more military friendly.
    • There are no significant encroachment issues. It is a large installation with room for growth.

    The proposed action would be a poor business decision that sub-optimizes a valuable Defense asset. Instead of reducing missions at Fort Leonard Wood, the Army and DOD should consider Fort Leonard Wood for additional and expanded missions.


    CallToAction - SustainableOzarks.org


    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 02-20-2014 at 11:18 PM.
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 07-25-2013 at 04:25 AM.
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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  5. #5
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Businesses in military towns brace for budget hit

    Published March 09, 2013
    Associated Press

    FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Small business owners who rely on the nation's military posts for their business say they are already bracing for a hit from the automatic budget cuts that took effect March 1.

    Soldiers' salaries are exempt from the cuts, which total roughly $85 billion across the entire military. However, civilian employees who work on bases are expecting furloughs that could significantly slash their paychecks.

    Near North Carolina's Fort Bragg, in Fayetteville, Mike Thomas is the general manager of Auto Express. Thomas says smaller paychecks mean fewer sales at his shop, which specializes in selling Jeeps, chrome wheels and sound systems.

    Business owners in Tennessee, Kentucky, Texas and Alabama that rely on bases are expecting a similar hit. They say people could wind up spending less on everything from haircuts to furniture.

    Businesses in military towns brace for budget hit | Fox News
    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 07-25-2013 at 04:25 AM.
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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  8. #8
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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  9. #9
    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Senior Member AirborneSapper7's Avatar
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    Fort Leonard Wood to lose 1,000 military positions by FY 2015

    Fort Leonard Wood is expected to lose an estimated 1,000 military positions and more than 100 civilian jobs by fiscal year 2015.




    Smith listened to concerns from military members and civilians during the meeting.
    By Mandy Matney
    editor@waynesvilledailyguide.com
    Posted Feb. 20, 2014 @ 3:30 pm

    Fort Leonard Wood is expected to lose an estimated 1,000 military positions and 180 Army civilian jobs by fiscal year 2015.

    The loss comes as the result of national defense budget cuts.

    Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith, Fort Leonard Wood's commanding general, made the announcement Wednesday during a town hall meeting on post. He said he wanted to be the person to deliver the message to be upfront and clear to the community.

    “We will all be affected by this, that's why you are hearing this from me,” Smith said. “This is probably one of the toughest things I have ever had to do as a leader in the Army. It is my job to continue to care for our military and civilian folks.”

    Smith said these force reductions were originally intended for fiscal year 2017, but cost reductions forced the Army to make cuts sooner.
    “They were pulled to FY 2015 because frankly there was no money available to execute the mission that was required,” he said, adding that all reductions are still to be determined. “We don't know how many civilians, military members or family members will be impacted by this.

    "The 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade will still continue to serve their mission through FY 2015.”
    Smith gave a presentation that explained the impacts of sequestration in the last year required the Army to accelerate its plans to downsize.

    As a part of this plan, the Army plans to deactivate the following Fort Leonard Wood units:

    103rd Engineer Company

    193rd Brigade Support Battalion

    77th Engineer Company

    94th Brigade Signal Company

    156th Engineer Detachment

    49th Engineer Detachment

    94th Engineer Detachment

    94th Engineer Battalion

    4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade HQ/ HHC

    The 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade HQ/ HHC will remain on Defense CBRN Response Force mission until May, 2015. Fort Leonard Wood will also gain 595th Engineer Company, according to the presentation.The estimated net loss of the restructuring within the 4th MEB is 1,000 military positions and six civilian authorizations.

    Force reductions will also impact civilians, who will be replaced by military positions.

    Smith said that 140-150 Fort Leonard Wood civilian positions could be returned to military positions.

    “A few years ago, we took military positions and put civilians in those positions, as we were growing the Army,” Smith said. “So now these civilian-to-military changes could impact positions in three brigades and combat training companies as early as current or next fiscal year.”

    The 1st Engineer, 3rd Chemical and 14th MP Brigades could see the bulk of impact due to the civilian-to-military changes.

    Smith said that he will not know the specific positions that will be affected until early March.

    Specifically, Training and Doctrine Command's FY15 Table of Distribution and Allowances is expected to be released in early March.

    Rachelle Tomlinson from Civilian Personnel Advisory Center said that her office will provide help with resume writing and USA Jobs training.

    Tomlinson also said Fort Leonard Wood is working with the Missouri Career Center, Army Career and Alumni Program office and Army Community Service to provide resume writing classes. There are also USAJOBS workshops scheduled March 19 at Lincoln Hall.

    Both Smith and Tomlinson recommend that civilian and military members at Fort Leonard Wood start updating their resumes and records now to prepare for future changes.

    “I don't want folks to think they are on an island by themselves,” Smith said. “If I was in one of the positions that could be cut, I would look at my resume, look at my options, and if you see an opportunity, jump at it.”

    During the question-and-answer segment, Smith was asked if Fort Leonard Wood was the only Army base facing these types of job cuts. Smith said that all training bases across the Army were impacted by this.

    Smith said that this plan only affects GS civilians and not contractors because of funding.

    About 7,000 uniformed personnel work at Fort Leonard Wood, along with 12,000 military personnel there for training and 9,000 civilian employees.

    The 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade HQ/ HHC will remain on Defense CBRN Response Force mission until May, 2015. Fort Leonard Wood will also gain 595th Engineer Company, according to the presentation.The estimated net loss of the restructuring within the 4th MEB is 1,000 military positions and six civilian authorizations.

    Force reductions will also impact civilians, who will be replaced by military positions.

    Smith said that 140-150 Fort Leonard Wood civilian positions could be returned to military positions.

    “A few years ago, we took military positions and put civilians in those positions, as we were growing the Army,” Smith said. “So now these civilian-to-military changes could impact positions in three brigades and combat training companies as early as current or next fiscal year.”

    The 1st Engineer, 3rd Chemical and 14th MP Brigades could see the bulk of impact due to the civilian-to-military changes.


    http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com...NEWS/140229833
    Last edited by AirborneSapper7; 02-20-2014 at 11:25 PM.
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