WASHINGTON— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Army announced a reduction in force structure by 40,000 soldiers over the next two years, reducing 388 active military positions at Ft. Polk:
“Ft. Polk has been spared the deep cuts other bases received. The positions lost are part of the Ft. Polk family. We regret this loss but recognize it could have been worse. We celebrate that the Brigade Combat Team remains intact and there’s every indication Ft. Polk will continue to be recognized as the important training center it is, preparing our troops to defend our country.”
The Louisiana delegation and the Ft. Polk community have worked together to advocate for the importance of Ft. Polk and keep the Brigade Combat Team intact. Dr. Cassidy addressed the Ft. Polk listening session and led the Louisiana delegation urging the U.S. Army to attend the listening session. A member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Dr. Cassidy prioritized the need to replace the Joint Operations Center (JOC) at Ft. Polk in the Senate Appropriations Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.