LAKEWOOD, Wash. (Jan. 22, 2015) -- Area community members and elected officials filled the conference center at a local college Wednesday to voice their concerns to Army leaders regarding potentially losing a significant number of troops from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).
The community listening session, hosted by Clover Park Technical College and I Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, is one of 30 Army-directed sessions taking place in communities surrounding Army installations across the U.S. between January and March 2015.
At its wartime peak in 2010, the Army had nearly 570,000 Soldiers on active duty. After a round of cuts, that number will dwindle to 490,000 by the end of fiscal year 2015, and even further by 2017 to an end strength of 450,000. If sequestration remains in effect, that number will become even smaller.
JBLM alone faces potential active duty troop cuts of up to 11,000 Soldiers over the next few years based on DOD projections. To date, JBLM has seen around 5,000 Soldiers leave the installation due to downsizing.
As the Army faces imminent restructuring, the Department of the Army is encouraging community members near affected installations to voice their opinions. Before making any final decisions regarding troop cuts the Army will take into consideration public concerns raised during the listening sessions.
"This is really a chance to shape how this decision is going to be made. It's an opportunity to hear today from you ladies and gentlemen about your concerns and your issues that can be carried back to Washington, D.C.," said Lanza.
During the session, Department of the Army Force Management Deputy John McLaurin III urged community members and leaders to voice their opinions, saying he did not want Army officials to make their decisions without a complete assessment.
After his remarks, lines quickly formed behind four microphones as community members, many with prepared remarks in hand, waited to address the forum.
Community members, such as Tacoma Port Commissioner Richard Marzano, viewed JBLM with a strategic lens.
"JBLM has a unique combination of air and sealift logistical assets. [It] is not only good for the local community, but also beneficial for the Army," said Marzano.
He also called the Pacific a "hotspot" and said that the base is located in an ideal place for rapid deployment to the region.
Several people voiced their concerns about security in the Pacific if too many troops leave JBLM. Connie Rickman, a local teacher, emphasized that JBLM is the gateway to the Pacific rim and should retain Soldiers for the sake of safety.
Many others spoke, offering statistics about the detriment to their communities that a troop loss of up to 11,000 service members would cause.
The general manager of the Lakewood Water District Randy Black spoke about the financial impact the loss would have. His infrastructure currently services 17,000 people, many who are military members. He projects that the district would lose nearly 1,500 paying customers, equating to a loss of $360,000 over 20 years. He said that due to the district's recent system upgrades, current customers would have to pick up a $900,000 tab over 20 years to make up for the loss.
Dupont Mayor Michael Grayum put the cut in perspective, saying that a loss of nearly 11,000 Soldiers is equivalent to losing the entire population of his city.
"We have about 50 percent of our population that is directly tied to military. Thirty percent are active service members. Upwards of 50 percent of our city's economy is service-based and heavily relies on serving our military personnel," Grayum said. "We should not reduce personnel at JBLM. I urge your consideration."
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee also spoke, garnering a standing ovation. He addressed services that the state of Washington offered to the military.
"The state of Washington fully embraces the military families and military mission. We recognize the importance of family members in the success of this mission," Inslee said.
Inslee went on to speak about state programs that focus on service member and family well-being, even after the service member is no longer on duty.
In all, more than 60 people offered comments during the three-hour session. Many people emphasized the strong, long-standing relationship between the base and the surrounding communities.
The base is invested in 15 communities in the area, and currently employs close to 16,800 civilian employees and contractors, who would also face job cuts as active duty numbers drop.
Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy said, "The reach of what JBLM means to us and this region is greater than Pierce County, greater than Thurston County, greater than the cities and towns that you will hear from. It is vitally important for us."
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