Base Realignment and Closure, 2005
B
ase Realignment and Closure (BRAC) is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the US Armed Forces, used by the US Department of Defense (DOD) and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory in order to save money on operations and maintenance, aimed at achieving maximum efficiency in line with Congress ional and DOD objectives. More than 350 installations have been closed in four BRAC rounds: 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995. The conclusion of the 2005 round is expected in September. The specific base closings that have been predicted are still in the negotiating stages. The DOD has targeted some high profile New England naval installations such as New London, CT, and Portsmouth, NH, where work on submarines has gone on for generations. Many still remember the shock associated w ith the closing of the Boston and New York (Brooklyn) Navy Yards a generation ago. The loss of jobs and the our-migration of talented yard workers and their families was and still is lamented. Ir cannot be denied that there may be political motives behind some of these changes. Ir will be remembered that southern states benefitted from the loss of the northern states when the government later decided to enlarge existing or encourage construction of new shipbuilding installations in Mississppi and Texas. The leaders of the communities where these bases are located will push back with all their political and financial strength because so many jobs, SEA HISTORY l 12, AUTUMN 2005
and indeed the economic welfare of their entire communities, depends on the outcome. Congress will surely get involved and try to deflect or minimize
capabilities; impact on operational readiness; availab ili ty and condition of land, facilities, airspace; capability of a facility to "surge" or expand with mobilization; the extent and timing of potential costs and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard savings; and environmental in New Hampshire impact of costs associated with environmental compliance, waste management, and environmental restoration. The BRAC Commission will look into the DOD's recommendations and will report back to the president no later cNuGENERALPU•L•c u crnsE than 8 September 2005. The
the extent of the targeted closures or realignments. The basic reason given for the projected closures is the DO D's intention to economize with an eye to the nation's military needs as far as twenty years into the future. The less money spent on keeping bases open that will be only marginal in terms of the nation's long term strategy the better. The Secretary of Defense talks about "rationalizing the force structure" that will be needed to protect the US from possible threats. The Navy has been downsizing its fleet and aircraft squadrons, as well as its personnel structure, for the last five years under CN 0 Admiral Vern Clark, whose catch word has been "realign," (that is, make sure that we are not supporting unneeded civilian and military personnel and activities with funds that are badly needed elsewhere). Not all military experts agree on where the curs should be made, but it is certain that with current huge expenditures on the global war on terror, cuts will be made and that they will be painful for the communities surrounding the targeted bases and installations. The criteria the military is using include the following: current and future
full impact of the closures and realignments will not be felt all at once but will rake effect gradually over a period of years. -Dr. William Dudley, former Director ofNaval History Washington, DC
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