“The Army has not made a final decision on the implementation of Grow the Army as it relates to these BCTs.  If the Obama administration’s plan is implemented, however, the Army will not proceed with the stand up of the 47^th BCT, which is currently scheduled to be located at Fort Carson in Fiscal Year 2011.  In order to adequately equip the three brigades proposed to be cut, the Army would be forced to increase their end strength requirement.   According to recent reports, the end strength goal of 547,000 will remain the same to fill other Army requirements.  

“The Army will take a step back and assess the impacts of eliminating these three BCTs and will determine the best way to rebalance the force.  What the future holds for Fort Carson will depend on decisions made during this rebalancing process.  Under the current Grow the Army plan as reported in December 2007, Fort Carson will still receive 1,425 new personnel, not including the 47^th BCT.  As the Army develops and refines these plans and makes decisions on future force structure requirements at Fort Carson, I will help Army decision makers develop the best solution for the Army and Colorado Springs.  I will be working with other Members of Congress to resist ill-advised defense cuts by the Obama administration. 

“The Colorado Springs Community provides a quality of life for our service men and women which is second to none, and we are honored to provide a home at Fort Carson for over 20,000 soldiers and their families.”—Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

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