Alert

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (Mo.) today welcomed the U.S. Army’s announcement that Fort Leonard Wood's Basic Combat Training mission is expected to increase by approximately 4,500 soldiers this fiscal year.

“Fort Leonard Wood is the first stop for thousands of soldiers who answer the call to serve each year,” Blunt said. “The 10 incredibly challenging weeks they face in Basic Combat Training provide them with the knowledge, skills, and discipline to take on the threats we face. I’m proud that even more men and women will become soldiers in our state over the next year, and I'll continue backing efforts to ensure our military branches have the end strength they need to fulfill their missions.”

The Army announced today that its troop levels for fiscal year 2017 will increase to 1.018 million soldiers, a net gain of 28,000 soldiers across the total force, which includes the Regular Army, National Guard, and Army Reserve. The increase in Fort Leonard Wood’s BCT mission will support the Army’s overall increase in end strength level.

Blunt has consistently supported efforts to increase Army end strength levels, which will help address readiness issues and stabilize the problems that are making it difficult for our troops to accomplish their mission. Last year, he supported the National Defense Authorization Act, which provided for the increase reflected in today’s announcement.

Blunt also cosponsored the POSTURE Act in the previous Congress, which would reverse ongoing and future reductions to end strength levels in the Active U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Army National Guard, Active Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve.

Earlier this month, Blunt met with Fort Leonard Wood’s commanding general, Major General Kent D. Savre, to discuss the base’s priorities for the coming year.