PORTLAND — A 4.3 percent cut in National Guard troops across the country will result in the loss of about 120 positions in Maine over the next three years.

The Portland Press Herald reports the Maine National Guard’s reduction in troops will take place through attrition and no soldiers will be laid off.

The state Army Guard has about 2,400 members and 500 of those are full-time. Forty positions will be eliminated this fiscal year, followed by 76 positions next year and three in 2018. Only 20 of those jobs are full-time.

Brig. Gen Doug Farnham leads the Maine National Guard and says it’s unclear which units will be affected by the cuts.

The Army National Guard is reducing its overall troops from 350,000 to about 335,000.