
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, December 1, 1994                   TAG: 9412010102
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

ARMY MAY CUT `BIG RED ONE'

The Army, in a major reorganization that will cut 18,000 troops from its ranks, is prepared to deactivate the headquarters of the historic 1st Infantry Division in Kansas and the 4th Infantry Division in Colorado.

The proposals also include deactivating three combat brigades in Hawaii, Alaska and Kentucky, Pentagon officials said Wednesday. The reorganization plan, which could be announced by senior Army officials as soon as today, does not involve closing any bases.

Defense Secretary William Perry visited Congress on Wednesday to discuss the proposals. Given the sensitive political nature of the changes, officials cautioned that last-minute changes could be made.

The Pentagon ordered the Army last year to remove two heavy divisions as part of its long-term budget-cutting plans, leaving 10 active-duty divisions instead of 12.

The moves, designed by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan and Army Secretary Togo West, may not be the final word, because the independent Base Realignment and Closure Commission is scheduled to conduct a new round of base closures in the coming year.

In general, the changes conform with plans to shrink the Army from 540,000 troops to about 495,000 over the next several years.

In the short term, 18,000 soldiers will be pared from the force if the changes are fully enacted.

Other changes that would beef up segments of the Army's combat structure are to be announced. In the past, two active and one reserve brigade composed a division. Now, three active and one reserve brigade will support a division.

``It makes certain that we have a full-up force across the board - six heavy divisions and four light,'' said one of the officials.

The deactivation of the headquarters of the 1st Infantry Division - known as the ``Big Red One'' for its exploits, such as in the Battle of the Bulge - does not mean that it will disappear. It is expected to be reactivated and given command of units in Germany, for example.

by CNB