The US Army plans to cut 40,000 soldiers from its ranks over the next two years to save money at home and abroad, a US defence official said.
And 17,000 civilians working for the Army will also be laid off, the official told AFP, confirming a report in the newspaper USA Today.
The paper quoted a document it had obtained and said the cuts are being made to save money. The defence official said yesterday the Army plans to announce the cuts soon.
USA Today said it would be this week. The cutbacks will affect virtually every Army post at home and abroad, USA Today said.