Fort Polk On List For Possible Troop Reductions

Fort Polk is one of 30 army bases around the country in jeopardy of losing troops as the Army looks to reduce 40,000 troops from its active duty force.

Fort Polk Progress Chairman Michael Reese there's the potential the military base in Vernon Parish could lose 6,500 troops.

"We may lose no soldiers, we may lose something in between zero and 6,500, or we could lose a maximum of 6,500," Reese said. "This now starts that evaluation process."

The Army also considered a large troop reduction at Fort Polk in 2013, but because of a big lobbying effort from local community and business leaders the base only lost 250 troops.

Reese says a similar organized response will be needed again this year.