U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today sharply criticized Department of Defense plans to cut 4,350 soldiers in Georgia-based military bases as part of a nationwide plan to cut Army forces by 40,000 troops in 2017.
Isakson, chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, said he learned of the cuts in a phone call earlier today with Army Secretary John McHugh.
Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga., will see a net loss of approximately 950 soldiers, and Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., will see a net loss of 3,400 soldiers, Isakson said in his news release.
Because the Pentagon failed to give senators a head’s up, Isakson said he immediately took steps in block a Senate confirmation vote on the nomination of a new Department of Defense congressional liaison
Additional cuts to the number of civilian personnel at military bases are expected, according to Isakson, but have not yet been announced by the Department of Defense.