U.S. Army leaders are planning to assign thousands of soldiers to work in base dining halls, replacing contractors for up to 18 months, according to a memo obtained exclusively by Army Times.

The memo was signed by Army Secretary John McHugh.

In the memo, McHugh seeks an exception to policy to assign soldiers to work temporarily in “mission critical” roles “both inside and/or outside their military occupational specialties,” Army Times said. Soldiers also would work as security guards at bases.

The new goals reflect reduced combat duties and a need to decrease costs, Army officials wrote in a related paper.

But at least one officer opposed the plan in an attached note: “Non-concur!! Not an appropriate function for soldiers,” Army Times said.

The newspaper said the orders could affect 6,000 soldiers initially, but it could be as many as 28,000 soldiers for three months.

More information: Army Times article: http://goo.gl/BZtiAP