The US Army announced a restructuring plan yesterday, which means cutting the number of active-duty combat brigades and decreasing the service by 80,000 soldiers. The plan will affect Fort Campbell, on the Tennessee - Kentucky border.
A brigade is made up of 3500 to 5000 soldiers. The number of brigades will fall from 45 to 33. The move will eliminate brigades at 10 US Army bases by 2017, including the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. That brigade is an offshoot of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, activated in 1942 and portrayed in the book “Band of Brothers”, by Stephen Ambrose.
The Army will increase infantry and armor brigades by up to 800 soldiers.
Army Chief of Staff, General Ray Odierno, says he hopes to cut the 80,000 soldiers voluntarily, without forcing troops to leave the service. Forced reductions have not been ruled out, however. The cuts do not affect National Guard or Reserve brigades and units.