First Army announces budget cuts - CBS4 - WHBF Quad Cities, IL-IA News Weather Sports

First Army announces budget cuts

By: Kate Pabich
kpabich@cbs4qc.com

With the sequester deadline passed, massive budget cuts have taken effect and that includes the U.S. Military.
 
So Monday, the national headquarters of the First Army here in the QC, revealed what they'll have to cut.
 
133 First Army civilian employees are located on the Rock Island Arsenal and Major General Michael Smith says their plans are to furlough all of them one day each week.
 
That's a 20% pay cut that would start up in late April if nothing changes in Washington.

First Army says these furloughs are a last resort, and having less means doing less.

They would also cut training on everything but wartime missions.

Major General Smith says these massive cuts would be tough to get through but they'll find a way.

"Leadership is going to get us through this for over 237 year the army has faced complex challenges in wartime, in peacetime and this is once again another of those challenges."
 
 
These First Army cuts are not just for civilian employees here in the QC. Smith adds that more than 200 other employees  across the US would also be forced to take furloughs. Adding up to an estimated $2.6 million in savings.