San Antonio, TX, October 17, 2025
News Summary
The Secretary of Defense has announced the relocation of the Army North and Army South commands from San Antonio to a newly established Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This consolidation will occur over the next six to eight weeks, although some administrative elements will remain in San Antonio. Local officials express concerns regarding potential job losses and the economic impact, as the military sector is a significant part of the city’s economy.
San Antonio
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo on April 30 directing the relocation of two Army commands from San Antonio to North Carolina. The two commands, Army North (formerly the 5th Army) and Army South (formerly the 6th Army), will be consolidated into a new headquarters and based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This transition is expected to occur within the next six to eight weeks.
Key facts up front
- Commands relocated: Army North and Army South.
- New command name: Western Hemisphere Command.
- New location: Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
- Memo date: April 30.
- Transition timeframe: expected within the next six to eight weeks.
- Local presence: Some elements will remain at Fort Sam Houston; details are unclear.
- Local economy: Joint Base San Antonio and the military sector employ over 86,000 individuals as of 2024.
Details and immediate implications
The commands will be merged into a new entity called the Western Hemisphere Command based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Some elements of the commands will remain at Fort Sam Houston, although specific details regarding which elements and how many personnel will remain are unclear. It remains undetermined how many jobs will be lost as a result of this relocation and what the economic impact on San Antonio may be.
Local officials reacted to the decision with measured concern. The mayor of San Antonio indicated disappointment and noted that the move could have a minimal overall impact on the Army’s presence in the city, while local legislators had previously urged the Defense Secretary to consider the benefits of keeping the commands in San Antonio. Mayor outreach to federal leaders had occurred earlier, as part of a broader effort to retain and grow military command centers in the city.
Why the Army is making the change
The Army’s restructuring aims to create a leaner and more efficient military force by consolidating headquarters and eliminating redundancies. As part of that effort, leadership is moving to streamline military leadership, reduce the number of four-star general officers, and prioritize operational efficiency and combat formations. The Western Hemisphere Command is intended to focus on homeland defense and partnerships with Western Hemisphere allies, combining the defense and humanitarian functions previously split between Army North and Army South.
Local economic context
San Antonio’s military sector, including Joint Base San Antonio, is a significant part of the local economy, employing over 86,000 individuals as of 2024. Previous military consolidations in the area have included the closure of Kelly Air Force Base and realignment efforts at Brooks City-Base. Those past changes reshaped local employment patterns and land use, and the current relocation is being evaluated for similar effects, though the scale of impact from this specific move is not yet determined.
Political and operational background
Local legislators, including several U.S. representatives, had previously urged Defense Secretary Hegseth to consider the benefits of keeping the commands in San Antonio. The decision follows military-wide initiatives intended to focus resources on combat-ready units and create administrative efficiencies across commands. Army North and South play crucial roles in defense and humanitarian efforts across the Americas but will now be combined under a single headquarters at Fort Bragg.
What remains unclear
- Which specific elements and how many personnel will remain at Fort Sam Houston.
- The exact number of civilian and military jobs that could be eliminated or relocated.
- Detailed local economic impact estimates and timelines for any workforce changes.
Next steps
The memo sets a rapid schedule for transition, with the Army expecting movement and consolidation to take place within six to eight weeks. Local and federal officials will continue to engage with the Department of Defense and Army leadership as implementation details are developed.
Summary table: Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Memo issued | Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo on April 30 directing the relocation of two Army commands from San Antonio to North Carolina. |
| Commands moved | The commands being relocated are Army North (formerly the 5th Army) and Army South (formerly the 6th Army). |
| New command | The commands will be merged into a new entity called the Western Hemisphere Command based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. |
| Transition timing | This transition is expected to occur within the next six to eight weeks. |
| Remaining elements | Some elements of the commands will remain at Fort Sam Houston, although specific details regarding which elements and how many personnel will remain are unclear. |
| Local employment | San Antonio’s military sector, including Joint Base San Antonio, is a significant part of the local economy, employing over 86,000 individuals as of 2024. |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| April 30 | Memo directing relocation of two Army commands from San Antonio to North Carolina. | Memo issued |
| Within six to eight weeks of April 30 | Expected transition and consolidation into Western Hemisphere Command at Fort Bragg. | Planned |
| July (previous year) | Mayor had lobbied for retention and growth of military command centers in San Antonio during a trip to Washington, D.C. in July. | Prior outreach |
| As of 2024 | San Antonio’s military sector, including Joint Base San Antonio, is a significant part of the local economy, employing over 86,000 individuals as of 2024. | Economic context |
Simple visual statistics
Frequently Asked Questions
What directive was issued and when?
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo on April 30 directing the relocation of two Army commands from San Antonio to North Carolina.
Which commands are being relocated?
The commands being relocated are Army North (formerly the 5th Army) and Army South (formerly the 6th Army).
What is the new command and where will it be based?
The commands will be merged into a new entity called the Western Hemisphere Command based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
When will the transition occur?
This transition is expected to occur within the next six to eight weeks.
Will any elements remain in San Antonio?
Some elements of the commands will remain at Fort Sam Houston, although specific details regarding which elements and how many personnel will remain are unclear.
How did local leaders react?
Mayor Gina Ortiz-Jones of San Antonio expressed disappointment over the decision but noted that it could have a minimal overall impact on the Army’s presence in San Antonio.
Had local leaders taken action before the memo?
Mayor Ortiz-Jones had previously lobbied for the retention and growth of military command centers in San Antonio during a trip to Washington, D.C. in July.
What is the purpose of the Army restructuring?
The Army’s restructuring aims to create a leaner and more efficient military force by consolidating headquarters and eliminating redundancies.
What did Army leadership say about the change?
General Randy A. George, Chief of Staff of the Army, emphasized the need for operational efficiency and a focus on combat formations.
Is the move part of a larger initiative?
The decision to move is part of a broader initiative to streamline military leadership and reduce the number of four-star general officers.
Is the economic impact known?
It remains undetermined how many jobs will be lost as a result of this relocation and what the economic impact on San Antonio may be.
How large is San Antonio’s military sector?
San Antonio’s military sector, including Joint Base San Antonio, is a significant part of the local economy, employing over 86,000 individuals as of 2024.
Have there been previous consolidations locally?
Previous military consolidations in the area have included the closure of Kelly Air Force Base and realignment efforts at Brooks City-Base.
Did local legislators intervene?
Local legislators, including Reps. Henry Cuellar, Joaquin Castro, and Greg Casar, had previously urged Defense Secretary Hegseth to consider the benefits of keeping the commands in San Antonio.
What will the Western Hemisphere Command focus on?
The Western Hemisphere Command is intended to focus on homeland defense and partnerships with Western Hemisphere allies.
What roles did Army North and South perform?
Army North and South play crucial roles in defense and humanitarian efforts across the Americas but will now be combined under a single headquarters at Fort Bragg.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Texas Congressmen Push for Consolidation of Army Commands at JBSA
UTSA Partners with Weston Urban for Downtown Revitalization
Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: San Antonio
- Spectrum Local News
- Google Search: Western Hemisphere Command
- KSAT News
- Google Scholar: Army North Army South relocation
- Express News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fort Bragg
- Express News
- Google News: San Antonio Army commands
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
