ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Facing the possibility of losing more than 5,400 military and civilian positions, officials at and around Missouri’s Fort Leonard Wood are going on the offensive.
Missouri’s senators and congress members are among those urging the Army to spare the base, which will already lose 1,200 positions by next year. With the Army looking to trim 140,000 positions, the fort could lose some 5,400 people by 2020.
Base commander Maj. Gen. Leslie Smith tells KMOX they’re preparing for whatever happens.
“As we go through the different discussions that we’re having today, we’re going to continue that conversation with local, regional and national folks, so they can make a decision accordingly,” Smith says.
Smith says there’s always been a history of growth and reduction in the military – he just wants the fort to be treated fairly.
“We know that there will be reductions, we just ask that they look and they’re delivered the right way, and that we have a conversation about what that means,” Smith says.
Command Sgt. Maj. Terrance Murphy says no matter what happens, you can count on one thing: “We are still going to make our mission. We are still going to do what we’re required to do, because we are the greatest army in the world.”
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