NEWPORT NEWS – 86 jobs are being cut at Fort Eustis.
The jobs are that of civilian workers and they are a result of defense cuts in Washington. The Pentagon ordered the cuts last summer and are just now being officially announced at specific bases.
The Army's planned reduction of personnel will mean the elimination of 8,700 civillian workers Army-wide by September, 30th, 2012. That will translates into 86 jobs at Fort Eustis.
At the Training and Doctrine Command, 76 positions will be terminated, most through vacancies and early retirements.
In addition to the 76 positions at TRADOC, Fort Eustis will lose six from installations management and four from the Army Material Command.
Margaret Peoples has worked for 23 of her nearly 30-year Army career at TRADOC as a public affairs graphic arts designer.
“Well of course the first thing in all honesty, is financial. And then, how is the office going to manage without me? I'm the only one who does what I do," Peoples said.
Peoples is eligible for retirement but she hopes to get re-hired In another job within the Army.
"I'll have my moments when I get down and depressed. You take it personally,” she admitted. "You're human. You still get those moments when you feel that way."
TRADOC Col. Christian Kubic says in tight economic times, the Army has to do its part, too.
"What we think is right is that the American people are shouldering the effect of the economic impact, the economic challenge of the United States, and it's fair for the Army to share that burden as well," said Kubic.
