Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, outlines for local media outlets the impact of the Army’s announcement for force reductions to the Fort Carson, Colorado Springs and the greater Front Range communities, outside Mountain Post’s Gate 1 July 9, 2015. (Photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams)
By Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
Fort Carson will incur a minimal loss of personnel due to the Department of the Army’s force restructure plans.
Army officials announced the force structure decisions and stationing plans for the reduction of the active Army from 490,000 to 450,000 Soldiers, during a July 9, 2015, press conference at the Pentagon.
About 350 active-duty Soldiers are projected to be cut from Fort Carson’s force of approximately 24,000 Soldiers, said Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson.
“We feel pretty special here at Fort Carson based on it is a reduction, and every person counts, but much less than what was anticipated and what other posts, camps and stations are having to deal with here in the very near future,” Gonsalves said.
The reduction consists of a 25-percent decrease of the 4th Infantry Division headquarters in line with the Army decision for all two-star and above headquarters to reduce the number of personnel assigned to division, corps and Army commands.
The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., will also be reorganized in line with the Army Operating Concept, and elements of the explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) companies on Fort Carson, part of the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), will also be affected by reductions.
The reduction of 40,000 Soldiers will occur through fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and represents a cumulative cut of 120,000 Soldiers from the active- duty Army, or 21 percent, since 2012. Cuts to the force will be accompanied by a reduction of about 17,000 Department of the Army civilian employees.
Fort Carson officials extend their continued gratitude to the Front Range communities for their selfless support to its Soldiers, Families and civilians as the Mountain Post works through future restructuring and possible sequestration, said Gonsalves.
“We truly appreciate the community support,” he said. “Fort Carson will continue to soldier and do all the great things and work within our community.”
As the Army implements its drawdown strategy to balance the force and sustain capability and readiness, the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson will treat all of its Soldiers and Families with dignity and respect while continuing to recognize their service and sacrifice, he said.
The commanding general said he will not speculate on any future force restructuring decisions, however, if sequestration occurs, every Army installation, including Fort Carson, has the potential to be impacted.
The mission of the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson is to provide the Army with mission-trained Soldiers for worldwide deployments. The 4th Infantry Division is the most balanced division in the Army, comprised of an armored brigade, a Stryker brigade, a light brigade, a sustainment brigade and an aviation brigade.
There is no more capable division in the Army, and the 4th Infantry Division remains ready to bring its diverse capabilities at the nation’s call, said Gonsalves.