Commissioner: Navy cited 9.5% reduction across command; Patuxent River impact likely smaller

An unnamed St. Mary's County commissioner said after a joint meeting with Navy command that officials cited an estimated 9.5% reduction across the command but that the decrease would be spread over three or four bases and not solely at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.

The commissioner said, “I've heard I've had people call me and tell me we're gonna lose 3, 4000 people on the base. None of those numbers are are are really anywhere near accurate.” The official added that the Navy’s figure was “9 and a half percent” for the entire command and that local reductions at Patuxent River would be smaller, “You're looking at, what, 3%.”

The commissioner cautioned that exact numbers are uncertain: “nobody has a nobody has a crystal ball,” and urged residents seeking factual updates to contact any commissioner directly for follow-up. The speaker said discussions included how some reductions could occur through “natural attrition” such as retirements rather than layoffs.

There was no formal action taken on the subject during the meeting and no vote was recorded. The remarks were presented as a summary of the Navy briefing and a public clarification of figures circulating in the community.

Why it matters: Patuxent River Naval Air Station and its associated contractors are major employers in St. Mary's County; changes in workforce levels can affect local employment and the county economy. The commissioner emphasized that the Navy is aware of community concerns and that officials will work to provide accurate updates.

Reporting limits: The commissioner described the 9.5% figure as applying to the entire Navy command that includes multiple bases; the transcript did not provide a Navy document, a precise, base-by-base breakdown, or an exact local percentage beyond the commissioner’s summary. No formal county action or staff assignment was announced in the remarks.