Kan. National Guard to close 18 armories

[unhappycamper]

Kan. National Guard to close 18 armories
By John Milburn – The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Nov 25, 2009 14:43:08 EST

TOPEKA, Kan. — The latest round of state budget cuts have prompted the head of Kansas’ National Guard to do his own version of base realignment and closure.

Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting plans to close 18 of the state’s 56 National Guard armories. The moves will save nearly $157,000 in the fiscal year that ends June 30, and more than $260,000 in the following year.

“Even if we were to return to the funding levels we’ve had in recent years, we cannot continue to sustain viable operations in all 56 armories across the state,” Bunting said. “This is a challenging time requiring difficult choices.”

Bunting, the state’s adjutant general, won’t announce which armories will close until December, giving time to meet with communities and notify National Guard members. He has been operating the Guard’s armories with only 65 percent of the money necessary to keep them functioning for some time, he said.

The changes mean that 19 full-time National Guard soldiers will be reassigned to other armories, while 678 soldiers will be forced to go to other locations for regular drills. The closures and consolidation of people and equipment is expected to be complete by June 30, 2010.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/11/ap_kan_guard_close_112409/



unhappycamper comment: This is another example of how much the occupations are costing this country. With a trillion dollar military budget we can't even keep National Guard armories open. Does anyone see a problem here? Anyone?

[RKP5637]

1. More evidence of a crumbling country internally while we can spend zillions

externally. This country has more problems at home than it's ever going to fix spending hoards of money on other countries. Our roof is caving in but none seem to see that, anymore, and the foundations of American are crumbling, IMO. We need to get back to investing in America, provide jobs, stabilize the economy and rebuild an educated society. Anymore weight on this country is going to break its back and spirit.

[pipoman]

2. I have wondered why

it is necessary for every town to have an armory. The local armory is used for the occasional auction or other community function. We are 30 miles from a city of 400k which has a large armory. I just don't see the point in maintaining the building and grounds.