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Soldiers, kin face cuts in base services so money can be spent on Afghan war

January 9, 2010 by POPEYE
Filed under Featured Stories, US News

(MILITARY TIMES) Soldiers and their families on Army posts around the country could see cutbacks in trash pickup, lawn-mowing and other services as the military tries to hold down non-war spending while escalating the fight in Afghanistan.

Even as total defense spending rises, the portion of the Army budget dedicated to running its bases is down 20 percent this year, according to figures provided to The Associated Press by an Army official who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about them.

The budgets for individual bases are not yet final. But the proposed cuts vary in size and run as deep as 40 percent at some major installations, including Fort Campbell, according to the figures.

Fort Campbell, the home of the 101st Airborne Division, is considering eliminating lawn-mowing and janitorial services and shortening hours at recreation centers, Fort Campbell spokeswoman Kelly Tyler said. But that may not be enough, she said.

Some members of the military are worried money will be pulled from programs that help spouses and children cope with soldiers’ repeated tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, who as head of the Army’s Installation Management Command is in charge of the budget for bases, said in a recent commentary distributed to Army post newspapers that the service has enjoyed unprecedented levels of funding in the past years, but that can’t continue.

“As the country faces some stiff economic challenges, we are forced to reduce funding and exact a greater level of stewardship over our resources,” Lynch said. Starting this year, “performance levels for some installation services will be notably less than we’ve had in recent years and will remain at that level for the foreseeable future.”

Army posts provide many of the services that soldiers and their families have come to rely on, including child and youth programs, continuing education, dining and recreational facilities and help with overcoming drug and alcohol abuse.

Lynch said that certain services, such as police and fire protection, will be fully funded and that the Army is committed to continuing family-focused programs, such as child care. He did not specify where cuts would be made.

It wasn’t clear how the military’s other branches might be affected, though the Army is by far the largest. Officials with the Marines, Navy and Air Force did not respond to requests for information.

Some of the Army’s biggest posts, where soldiers have completed four and five combat tours since the wars began, are facing significant spending reductions, according to the figures obtained by the AP.

At Fort Campbell, where about 17,000 soldiers are leaving this year for Afghanistan, commanders have been told that the operating budget for the current fiscal year could drop 40 percent, from $177.5 million last year to $106.5 million, Tyler said.

Cuts could be 39 percent at Fort Stewart, Ga., 25 percent at Fort Bragg, N.C., 22 percent at Fort Drum, N.Y., and 21 percent at Bamberg, Germany, the figures show.

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Top Opinion

  • DavE January 14, 2010 06:50:51
    DavE
    +2
    One of the biggest government lies of our lifetimes is that the government will do for the troops what it promised when they joined.
    government lies lifetimes government troops promised joined

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  • Zoel January 19, 2010 05:06:38
    Zoel
    If the military bases would stop farming out things on posts such as housing, police and fire, maintenance, landscaping/lawn work and handled these things in-house as they were for MANY years they would not have to take away from the soldiers and thier families. Contractors GOUGE the bases constantly and rather than take bids within a normal range (Normal= typical price charged for that service to anyone) they accept blind bids and you can ask for whatever you want and as long as your gouged bid is lower than the others THEY ACCEPT AND PAY IT.

    Start holding contractors responsible for gouging and stop stealing from families who go year after year without thier loved one and who rely on those benefits to help with the fact that more than likely that soldier's family survives below the poverty level.
  • Allbiz ... Zoel January 19, 2010 05:11:28
    Allbiz - PWCM - JLA
    I somewhat disagree with your gouging argument. I bid on the lawn care at Dover AFB have year. Ben doing it for the past 20+ years. I don't gouge. And I NEVER WIN. So I can assure you that a competitor is doing it at such a low price, i wouldn't want it anyway.

    However, it looks like you may get your wish for many services o be handled by base personnell if the cut backs occur. But, will that justify adding to the unemployeed?
  • USAF Vet Dan January 14, 2010 19:22:47
    USAF Vet Dan
    +1
    I'd say what's really on my mind, but I don't really feel like having a visit from the Secret Service today ;-)
  • Allbiz ... USAF Ve... January 14, 2010 20:16:32
    Allbiz - PWCM - JLA
    +1
    I hear they're very polite. LOL.
  • Tom Dundee January 14, 2010 16:40:57
    Tom Dundee
    +1
    Are the savings used to fund his civilian defense force?
  • Allbiz ... Tom Dundee January 14, 2010 16:44:28
    Allbiz - PWCM - JLA
    Dunno. Supposedly its for the Afghan war.
  • Tom Dundee Allbiz ... January 14, 2010 16:58:21
    Tom Dundee
    +1
    I doubt it. This force will possses military and police powers and used when the civilians get restless. 2.5 million is the desired strength of that force.
  • Allbiz ... Tom Dundee January 14, 2010 17:47:42
    Allbiz - PWCM - JLA
    +1
    I think that may have fallen by the wayside for now. I heard he doesn't want to have to provide a health plan for his soldiers.
  • Tom Dundee Allbiz ... January 15, 2010 14:26:45
    Tom Dundee
    +1
    There was some talk on radio news yesterday or the day before about a $500 million appropriation.

    Since everyone is covered, it shouldn't make any difference.
  • DavE January 14, 2010 06:50:51
    DavE
    +2
    One of the biggest government lies of our lifetimes is that the government will do for the troops what it promised when they joined.
    government lies lifetimes government troops promised joined
  • Fannie January 14, 2010 05:42:50
    Fannie
    Isn't this going to help them on their return home. No wonder why they suffer mental anguish.
  • Allbiz ... Fannie January 14, 2010 05:46:21
    Allbiz - PWCM - JLA
    Nah, Obama will just visit them in Walter Reed.
  • Tom Dundee Fannie January 14, 2010 16:43:12 (edited)
    Tom Dundee
    Daf (yes You, the one above Fannie)

    You have blocked me.

    The govt had never honored the promises made to our troops,
    Hope an Change. Not for our troops just our enemies.
  • Fannie Tom Dundee January 14, 2010 17:10:42
    Fannie
    +1
    I didn't block you!
  • Tom Dundee Fannie January 15, 2010 14:31:27
    Tom Dundee
    I know it was daf.

    That's why I wrote "daf" (Yes You, the one above Fannie)

    I should have said I tagged on you , because your comment was closest to her at the time.

    My apologies.
  • Fannie Tom Dundee January 15, 2010 15:45:56
    Fannie
    +1
    ok then.
  • Tom Dundee Fannie January 17, 2010 01:29:28
    Tom Dundee
    Again, my apologies.
  • Fannie Tom Dundee January 17, 2010 02:42:38
    Fannie
    +1
    Iunderstand, thank you.

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Allbiz - PWCM - JLA

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July 25, 2009 03:59:10

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