Job cuts are coming for the Wisconsin Army National Guard, but what's behind the move?

MILWAUKEE -- The Wisconsin Army National Guard is announcing plans to inactivate three units in 2017.  Over the next two years, the force could see 274 soldiers cut from its ranks statewide.

Wisconsin Army National Guard

A news release from the Wisconsin National Guard says the cuts are the result of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act. However, the president still needs to sign off on the bill.

In a statement, Major General Don Dunbar says, "The inactivation of our Wisconsin Army National Guard units will not be easy." He also said he is "committed to ensuring that all soldiers affected by any force structure changes are accommodated with opportunities to reclassify or retrain to meet new duty position requirements for vacant positions at other units, but this transition will not occur immediately."

The units slotted for inactivation are based in Chippewa Falls and Hayward. The cuts are expected to come through natural attrition and retirements.

Gov. Scott Walker

"This is a direct reflection of change at the federal level in terms of budgetary changes that the federal government's making," said Gov. Scott Walker.

Gov. Walker says he has reluctantly signed off on the Wisconsin proposal because he says there aren't other choices right now.

"While this is the reality of what we're dealing with the federal government, I'm going to be working with other governors to try and get both the president and the Congress to make changes that will allow us to re-establish the strength of the National Guard," Walker said.