Defense Secretary Leon Panetta formally notified Congress Wednesday that the Pentagon plans to furlough civilian defense employees if sequestration happens.

It will mean $46 billion in across the board cuts beginning March 1.

It's not good news in a military towns such as Warner Robins. Civilian employees of Robins Air Force Base may be working less than they'd like if sequestration becomes reality. Meaning 22 furlough days and four-day work weeks until September 30, the end of the fiscal year.

"To have to take a day per week off for that long," Elliot Mizell. "It's going to really hurt."

Mizell is a retired Robins Air Base employee, he says if he was still employed by the base, he would have to make cuts of his own.

"Certainly buying groceries, paying some of the bills," he said. "I would have to decide which things are most important to me."

Mizell's speculation is a reality for Cedric Nelson, who currently works at RAFB.

"I'll be able to make it through it," said Nelson.

He knows it won't be easy. Nelson is looking at a 20% decrease in his income for seven months.

"It's gonna effect me a lot, but I do think that we'll just have to kind of make adjustments, meaning that we do have jobs," said Nelson. "I may be more apted to find something to bring some extra income in."

In the mean time, Nelson says he'll have to budget better while enjoying more time with family until Washington puts people first.

"Let them know how much it's hurting," said Mizell. "Because they are really not hurting."

"Be reasonable and considerate the citizens," added Nelson. "Not only this area but the United States, and be more passionate about the welfare of everybody."

It's required by law that Congress gives furloughed workers a 45 day notice.