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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, this week called on Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman U.S. Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Ranking Member U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) to consider legislative language in the Fiscal Year 2016 Defense Authorization Bill to prioritize funding to maintain the current size of each of the Armed Services and prevent further reducing the size of our military’s force structure.

Despite a dangerous world with increasing demands on the service members and military families who call Kansas home, Department of Defense resources to protect our country and its citizens from conventional threats and terrorist attacks are dwindling. The Armed Services, particularly the Army, are facing potential force reductions that could put our nation’s defense at risk. 

“Fort Leavenworth is the Intellectual Center of the Army, an irreplaceable entity that educates, trains and develops our military commanders,” Sen. Moran said. “The Army and our national defense – today and for generations to come – would be degraded by losing personnel at Fort Leavenworth who carry out the critical mission of creating future leaders. Fort Riley is also at risk, potentially losing thousands of soldiers who serve in the Big Red One, the Army 1st Infantry Division. 

Sen. Moran continued, “Fort Leavenworth’s unparalleled professional military education and Fort Riley’s vast training capability are essential to the Army when developing the American soldier. I have been working to make certain the Army understands the defense community in Kansas is committed to supporting Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley, the Kansas Army National Guard as well as the Army as a whole. I will continue to work on maintaining troop levels at our bases in Kansas and across the country so that our nation’s defense and those who serve are ready and equipped to safeguard Americans from terrorists who attempt to destroy and attack our way of life.”

Click here to read Sen. Moran’s letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

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