As Washington debates massive budget cuts that would impact the nation's military, citizens in Trion, Rockmart and Centre, Ala., are keeping an ear to the wind, hoping that proposed cuts don't blow away the primary employers in their communities.

Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, Meggitt Polymers and Composite in Rock­mart, and American Apparel in Centre all have large military contracts that are likely to be impacted by significant military cutbacks.

Mount Vernon Mills and Meggitt Polymers each have nearly 1,200 employees and are overwhelmingly the leading employers in Chattooga and Polk counties. American Apparel has approximately 300 employees at its Centre plant and is among the top five employers in Cherokee County.

President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Martin Dempsey all conducted briefings last week to address a significant shift in military strategy that would likely result in the fewest boots on the ground since the beginning of World War II, along with massive cuts to the Air Force as well as both Army and Air Reserve and National Guard.

Read more: RN-T.com - Impact of proposed military force reduction will vary from plant to plant across Coosa Valley.