2005 BRAC Commission

2005 BRAC Commission was the fifth and most recent round of the congressionally authorized Base Realignment and Closure process. Established by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Congress, it was tasked with recommending the realignment or closure of domestic military installations to improve efficiency and reshape the United States Armed Forces. The commission's final report, delivered to President George W. Bush in 2005, led to the most extensive restructuring of the United States military basing footprint since the end of the Cold War.

Background and establishment

The 2005 round was initiated by the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld under authority granted by the National Defense Authorization Act. Previous rounds, such as BRAC 1995, had achieved significant cost savings, but the Pentagon argued a new transformation was needed for the post-September 11 attacks era. The commission was established as an independent body, with nine members appointed by the President, the Speaker of the House, and the Senate President pro tempore. Key appointees included Chairman Anthony J. Principi, former United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and Vice Chairman James H. Bilbray, a former Congressman from Nevada.

Process and methodology

The process began with the Department of Defense developing extensive selection criteria, focusing on military value, return on investment, and impacts on communities. The United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps submitted their recommendations, which were then analyzed by the commission. Commissioners, including Samuel Knox Skinner and Philip Coyle, conducted site visits to installations like Fort Monmouth and Ellsworth Air Force Base. Public hearings were held nationwide, allowing testimony from officials such as Governor of Texas Rick Perry and members of the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services.

Major recommendations and closures

The final list included 22 major closures and 33 major realignments. Notable closures involved Fort McPherson in Georgia, the Naval Station Ingleside in Texas, and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.. Major realignments created large-scale joint bases, such as merging Fort Lewis with McChord Air Force Base to form Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The recommendations also spurred massive personnel shifts, moving thousands of Defense Intelligence Agency employees to Fort Belvoir and consolidating United States Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg.

Impact and implementation

Implementation, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, significantly altered the domestic basing landscape. The closure of Walter Reed Army Medical Center led to its replacement by the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The process accelerated the growth of key hubs like Fort Bliss and Redstone Arsenal. While the Government Accountability Office estimated net annual savings, the upfront costs were substantial. The transformations at places like Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and New London Submarine Base had lasting effects on regional economies and military readiness.

Controversies and legal challenges

The process faced significant political opposition and legal action. The proposed closure of Naval Air Station Brunswick was contested by the Maine Congressional Delegation, while the fate of Ellsworth Air Force Base involved intense lobbying by Senator John Thune. The most prominent lawsuit was filed by the State of New Jersey and officials like Senator Frank Lautenberg regarding Fort Monmouth, alleging flawed economic analysis. Although the United States Supreme Court declined to hear the case, the controversies highlighted the intense regional politics surrounding domestic military infrastructure.

Category:2005 in the United States Category:Base Realignment and Closure Category:United States Department of Defense