It’s business as usual for military installations until the outcome of possible Army downsizing is known.

That was one topic of discussion for Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment Katherine Hammack during a visit with the media at Fort Riley.

She noted there were some great listening sessions at different bases, understanding what the impact of sequestration as the Army is forced to take cuts in the size of their force. “This is not something that we’re choosing to do. When you talk to General Odierno and our other military leaders we think the appropriate size of the Army is 490,000 ( troops ) and shrinking to 450,000 has some associated risks with it, but at the direction of Congress that’s where our budgets are heading us.”

Hammack added the Army is going to have to shrink to 450,000 by the end of 2017 or early 2018.

Where those cuts will occur is under discussion right now, and input received at the listening sessions at the 31 bases that could be affected is being evaluated.

Hammack noted the Fort Riley listening session set the record amount for interested parties who demonstrated how involved the commuity is in supporting the military.