Army relents on spending cuts for bases, announces $500 million for strapped installations

Army curtails plan to cut spending for world bases

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Army is curtailing a plan to cut spending on its bases around the world that had raised concerns about services for military families.

Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh announced the step Friday in a statement. He said the Army will add $500 million to its budget for base operations and will not “shortchange our soldiers and their families.”

The Associated Press reported in January that the Army was planning cuts as deep as 40 percent at some bases as it sought to hold down non-war spending while escalating the fight in Afghanistan.

That report and soldier complaints prompted members of Congress to tell Army officials they were concerned the cuts would weaken programs for spouses and children dealing with soldiers’ repeated tours Iraq and Afghanistan.