A Listening Session is set for 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, at the Geary County Convention Center in Junction City. This session is the next phase of the Army Force Structure and Stationing Decision process. 

The process will determine which Army bases will lose soldiers due to the 2013 Budget Control Act, also known as the Sequester. The Army has already reduced Army strength from 570,000 to 490,000, and is still in the process of implementing this reduction. The First Infantry Division has already shut down two Brigades; one located on Fort Campbell and another at Fort Leonard Wood and is in the process of closing the Fourth Infantry Brigade Combat Team on Fort Riley. 

The upcoming Listening Session will pinpoint how to trim the Army further, down to 450,000 or 420,000 troops. The possibility of losing the First Infantry Division is real in this scenario.

The Army is counting heads at each and every Listening Session, any and all who would like to attend are more than welcome, further, the community needs people there! Organizers are aiming to have 600 to 1,000 people in attendance.

Transportation from Meadowlark Hills will be free of charge and will depart at 2:15 p.m. from the Village Entrance. Sign-up is required for this trip; please sign up in the Blue Book at the Hospitality Desk if you would like to attend. Since this event is anticipated to fill up quickly and be very crowded, we are hoping to arrive at the convention center around 3 p.m. The Listening Session is anticipated to last approximately two hours. Please contact Sarah Duggan, Community Relations Director, at (785) 323-3860 if you have questions.