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Budget Cuts Could Leave Many Unemployed At Fort Riley And Fort Leavenworth

The U.S. Army says budget cuts could mean the loss of thousands of soldiers and employees at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth.

However, fort officials say the report released Thursday is a worst-case scenario and the reductions aren’t likely to be as severe as predicted.

The report said Fort Riley could lose 16,000 soldiers and civilian employees, with another 3,600 jobs related to the base also eliminated. The fort currently has about 20,000 soldiers and civilian employees.

The Army says Fort Leavenworth could lose half of its 5,000 employees.

Fort Riley spokesman Col. Sean Ryan says the numbers in such reports are speculation, and he does not expect the fort's population ever to drop that low because its troops are needed too often.

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