Editor, While sequestration is serious with far-reaching impacts, the core mission of Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield and the 3rd Infantry Division remains unchanged, even in the face of mandated funding cuts and Army civilian furloughs.
The top priority of Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield and the 3rd Infantry Division continues to be taking care of our soldiers and their families, especially the families of our deployed soldiers. We will continue to provide the services our soldiers and families deserve; however, we will have to prioritize. There is one thing for certain at this early hour — we cannot continue to provide the same level of services as we currently do. The challenge now is to make smart decisions based on our priorities above in order to sustain the most important services to the highest degree possible.
Budget reductions will curtail what we can fiscally do, and the civilian furlough will impact every facet of life on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. Soldiers and families will see longer lines at on-post service providers, such as the commissary and the identification card section, while some services may close for an entire day.
Additionally, you may start to see minor changes on the installation; however, we do not anticipate significant impacts until the civilian furlough begins the week of April 22. We will work tirelessly to chart the best course through this complex problem, attempting to minimize the impact on the largest population possible and preserving critical family and soldier services.
We are working hard now to determine the installation-wide impacts of both the budget reduction and mandated civilian furlough. This will take time. I ask for the community’s patience while we work this out in the next couple of weeks.
As we determine what services and programs will be impacted, we will keep you informed through community townhall meetings, Marne TV, the Frontline and our social-media sites. We are all in this together, and we will get through it together.

— Brig. Gen. John H. Hort,
Deputy Commanding General-Rear,
3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-
Hunter Army Airfield