Army to cut number of brigades

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The U.S. Army plans to slash the number of combat brigades from 45 to as low as 32 in a broad restructuring of its fighting force aimed at cutting costs and reducing the service by about 80,000 soldiers, according to U.S. officials familiar with the plans.

Officials said the sweeping changes likely will increase the size of each combat brigade — generally by adding another battalion — in a long-term effort to ensure that those remaining brigades have the fighting capabilities they need when they go to war. A brigade usually is about 3,500 soldiers but can be as large as 5,000 for the heavily armored units.

The brigade restructuring will unfold over several years and is intended to save money without eroding the military’s ability to protect the country and wage war when needed.