USAREUR announces Army in Europe reductions
U.S. Army Europe announced two separate actions that will reduce the Army in Europe by 60 military positions, 619 local national and 389 Department of the Army civilian positions.
In the first action, the Department of Defense has directed U.S. Army garrisons in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands to restructure or, in some cases, inactivate to realign and right-size essential services provided to changing community populations.
This action will result in the reduction of 25 military positions, 401 local national and 205 Department of the Army civilian positions. In addition, this announcement includes a reduction of 35 military and an increase of 30 Department of the Army civilian positions associated with an inactivation and an activation of Army units in Italy.
In the second action, Department of the Army has directed a worldwide reduction of headquarters staffs. USAREUR has identified 432 civilian positions on its headquarters staff and the headquarters staffs of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command and the Joint Multinational Training Command for reduction. This action will result in the reduction of 218 local national and 214 DA civilian positions.
USAREUR leaders said they understand that reductions in civilian manpower are difficult and Army in Europe leaders are fully aware of the potential effects — both professionally and personally — reductions can have on the workforce.
“I understand that these reductions will affect the lives of those who are dedicated employees of U.S. Army Europe. For this reason I am asking all senior leaders and supervisors of those affected to do their very best to mitigate the effects of these actions on our employees,” said Lt. Gen. Mark P. Hertling, USAREUR commander. “Local civilian personnel specialists will work with each affected employee to ensure they understand their rights, the options available and work with those affected in an attempt to ensure we assist them with new opportunities.”
The U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden will reorganize with a force structure reduction of 53 positions. The reduction consists of 25 DA civilian and 28 local national positions. These numbers pertain to employees of USAG Garrison Wiesbaden and do not include other agencies and commands located in Wiesbaden.
“No employees presently on board will be adversely affected by this reduction in positions,” said Dr. Robert Kandler, USAG Wiesbaden’s deputy to the commander.
“The garrison actively managed on board strength and replacement actions for vacated positions in the past year to arrive at the new numbers as directed by higher headquarters and at the same time to avoid any negative impact on the personnel (currently) on board.”