The United States Army is scheduled to announce its plans this week to reduce its forces by at least 40,000 soldiers as part of the latest cost cutting measures.

Yahoo News reported the planned reduction will take place within a two-year period. By 2017, the U.S. Army will be trimmed down to 450,000 stationed both at home and abroad. Aside from reducing its troops, around 17,000 civilians employed by the U.S. Army will also have to go.

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The reduction in troop strength has already been anticipated. The U.S. Army grew to almost 600,000 strong when it was involved in twin military engagements in the countries of Afghanistan and Iraq. Many of those soldiers sent abroad at that time are now stationed at military bases located across the country.

Aside from the planned reduction, the U.S. Army faced a further cut of around 30,000 troops if congressional leaders do not intervene and spare the Army from further budget cuts that will take place in October this year, according to USA Today.

Congress will most likely give the money since many members are thought to be quite unhappy about the idea of reducing the number of soldiers.

Reuters reported that Senate head of the Armed Services Committee John McCain decried the planned reduction. His fellow lawmakers also joined in the protest, many of them coming from states that are hosts to military bases which will be affected by the reduction. An army written plan revealed that officials will reduce a brigade-sized unit to a single battalion only.

Republican Senator from Georgia Johnny Iskson wants the defense department to justify its decisions to reduce the number of troops stationed in his state. He said that the country needs to have a military that is ready at all times in case trouble from within and outside U.S. arises.

Alaska is also one of the states that hosts a number of military bases which will be affected by the scheduled troop cut. Its senator, Lisa Murkowski, described the Army's decision as "short-sighted." She said the troops stationed at her state are needed to protect America's Arctic border.

The Pentagon is reportedly under pressure to reduce its budget by around $1 trillion. The plan to trim the U.S. Army was first announced in early 2014.

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