A merger proposed by the U.S. Department of Defense could cut up to 400 jobs from the base.
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. — U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll visited the Rock Island Arsenal on Monday. His visit follows invitations from members of Congress, after a memo from the U.S. secretary of defense outlined directives that would impact workflows across the Army.
The Department of Defense has proposed a merger between the Army Sustainment Command (ASC) and the Joint Munitions Command (JMC), both of which are headquartered at the Arsenal. If the proposal is approved, up to 400 Quad Cities jobs could be eliminated.
ASC is responsible for “end-to-end sustainment of Army forces worldwide,” including sending out food, fuel, shelter, vehicles and parts. JMC manages ammunition plants and depots across the nation.
Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, attended Monday’s visit and called it a success. He joined Driscoll alongside Rep. Marinette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, and the staff of other elected officials. He said the Department of Defense has yet to present an official plan to Congress on the future of the Arsenal. He expects to learn more when the National Defense Authorization Act is written in late summer or early fall.
“Now going forward, we need to make sure the army transformation initiative does not mean that we have a loss of jobs here,” Sorensen said. “Instead, it means how can we make sure the jobs and the workforce grow because now the secretary of the army knows our needs.”
Sorensen said previous meetings on Capitol Hill indicate the Army believes job cuts in the future could create net growth in the long run.
Miller-Meeks said in a statement that, “Rock Island Arsenal has always been a pillar of strength for our national defense and the Quad Cities region. As a 24-year Army veteran, it was an honor to join Secretary Driscoll today and hear directly from the dedicated men and women who keep this installation running. I remain committed to protecting the Arsenal, supporting its workforce, and ensuring it continues to serve our nation for generations to come.”
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, encouraged Driscoll to visit the Rock Island Arsenal during a hearing earlier this month.
“As Sec. Driscoll saw today, the Rock Island Arsenal plays an important role in ensuring our nation’s military readiness and in supporting the economy of the Quad Cities region,” Durbin said in a press release.
Durbin, along with Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois; Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa; and Rep. Eric Sorensen, D-Illinois, sent a letter to Driscoll asking for a briefing to discuss potential changes at the Arsenal. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, was not a part of that letter.
Duckworth provided the following statement on Driscoll’s visit.
“At every turn, my colleagues and I have repeatedly pressed Secretary Driscoll and Army leadership for more details regarding their proposed consolidation plans—specifically how cuts could potentially impact vital logistics, sustainment and manufacturing enterprises supported by RIA—but we’ve yet to receive clear answers. I hope Secretary Driscoll’s visit to the Arsenal today offers the clarity we need, so we can work together to ensure the Arsenal has the support it needs to succeed for years to come.”
