OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee convened the first meeting a new group formed to address possible personnel cuts at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Inslee charged the Subcabinet on Military Downsizing with writing initial response plans within the next two weeks, the News Tribune of Tacoma reported.
The Army is expected to announce next week how many positions could be cut from the base. It’s been estimated that up to 11,000 active-duty soldiers and Department of Defense civilian employees at JBLM could be affected.
The focus of the subcommittee, which comprises leaders from several state agencies, is to prepare a plan that would include workforce training and re-employment for those affected by the cuts.
More than 40,000 military service members are stationed at the base, which also employs more than 15,000 civilians and contractors.
