Fort Polk not in danger of closing, but base could face cutbacks
By Jeff Matthews
Stakeholders already are battling to spare Fort Polk from a personnel reduction that would hurt the economy. Now,at least they know they won’t have to deal with a base realignment and closure process in the near future, as well.
The latest National Defense Authorization Act legislation rejects a BRAC round in 2017, something the administration and the Defense Department has been pushing for. The bill dropped a provision that asked the Defense Department to report on its long-range force structure plans and conduct a comprehensive inventory of its facilities and infrastructure “We all felt like that was a precursor to a BRAC round in2017,”said Michael Reese, chair of Fort Polk Progress, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for and supporting the Vernon Parish Army base.
The Defense Department saves more than $12 billion a year from the five base realignment and closure rounds announced between 1988 and 2005 and is hoping to save more in a future consolidation, according to the department.
An explanation of the Authorization Act provided by lawmakers called previous savings estimates of earlier BRAC rounds “outdated” and said the Defense Department already has enough tools to reduce its infrastructure spending.
Reese said the latest version of the act, unveiled on Tuesday, was a needed “pause” to the process that could see the Army reduce troop strength by as much as 70,000 if “sequestration” takes effect.
“We feel like it’s a wise reflection to really stop and reassess where we are today, some of the events around the world, the military draw down and the budget sequester that’s really driving all that,” he said.
“That’s good news,” said Deborah Randolph, president of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce. “But we remain concerned about the possible downsizing of troops at Fort Polk.” A recent report identified Fort Polk as one of 30 installations that could be cut as the Army seeks to reduce its force by 40,00050,000 troops by 2020. If sequestration takes effect, the cuts would increase to 70,000. If Fort Polk is one of the installations cut, the base could lose up to 6,500 of its military population of 10,836. A community listening session to hear concerns about the force reduction report is expected in Leesville in March. “I think, based on what the newly elected people (to Congress) have said, they’re against any further reductions in our military force,” said Reldon Owens, chair of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “We’re encouraged by those comments.” “Any good news, we celebrate, because Fort Polk is such a crucial part of our economy,”
said Jim Clinton, president and chief executive officer of Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. “But in the fiscal environment we operate in at the national level, there will always be a level of vigilance required on behalf of Fort Polk and our military assets.”
— Military Times reporter Andy Medici contributed to this report.
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