2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission

2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission
Name	2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission
Formed	2005
Jurisdiction	United States Department of Defense
Chief1 name	Anthony J. Principi
Chief1 position	Chairman
Chief2 name	James H. Bilbray
Chief2 position	Vice Chairman

2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission was an independent federal commission established by the United States Congress to recommend the realignment and closure of United States Department of Defense installations. It was the fifth and most recent round of the Base Realignment and Closure process, intended to streamline the United States Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War and in response to evolving global threats. The commission's final report, delivered to President George W. Bush, led to the most extensive restructuring of the United States military since World War II.

Background and legislative authority

The authority for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission was derived from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, which authorized a new round of closures. This action followed four previous Base Realignment and Closure rounds in 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995. The process was championed by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as part of a broader military transformation effort to create a more agile and technologically advanced force. The enabling legislation required the United States Department of Defense to submit a list of recommendations, which would then be reviewed and potentially modified by the independent commission before being presented to the President and the United States Congress.

Process and selection criteria

The United States Department of Defense developed its recommendations using six primary selection criteria established in law. These criteria included military value, the potential for joint use of facilities, the economic impact on local communities, the ability of infrastructure to support forces, and environmental costs. The independent commission, chaired by former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi, was then required to hold public hearings and visit affected installations. The commission could modify the Pentagon's list, but any changes required a majority vote of its nine members, who were appointed by leaders like Speaker Dennis Hastert and President pro tempore Ted Stevens.

Major recommendations and closures

The commission's final report recommended major actions affecting 837 installations across all fifty states and several territories. Significant closures included Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, the Naval Air Station Brunswick in Maine, and the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.. Major realignments involved consolidating numerous United States Army headquarters and creating several joint bases, such as merging Fort Lewis with McChord Air Force Base to form Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The recommendations also spurred the largest domestic relocation of personnel since World War II, notably moving thousands of DISA and AMC employees to new facilities.

Economic and community impact

The closures and realignments had profound economic effects, with some communities facing severe job losses while others experienced substantial growth. The closure of facilities like the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery threatened the regional economy of New England. Conversely, areas such as San Antonio, which gained the United States Army North headquarters and medical research functions, saw significant economic investment. The Office of Economic Adjustment within the United States Department of Defense was tasked with providing planning grants and technical assistance to help affected communities, including those around Fort Knox and New London Submarine Base, transition their economies.

Implementation and timeline

Implementation of the recommendations began after the final report was approved by President George W. Bush and the United States Congress in late 2005. The process was mandated to be completed by September 15, 2011. This involved massive construction projects, environmental remediation at sites like the former Fort Gillem, and the transfer of tens of thousands of military and civilian personnel. Key milestones included the relocation of Walter Reed Army Medical Center functions to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda and the new Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.

Controversies and legal challenges

The process faced significant political opposition and legal challenges from affected states and communities. Lawsuits were filed by officials from several states, including Connecticut and Pennsylvania, attempting to block the closure of facilities like the New London Submarine Base and the Willow Grove Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base. The proposed closure of Fort Monmouth was particularly contentious, with critics citing the loss of critical C3 research and the FBI raising concerns about disrupting work on IED countermeasures. Despite these challenges, the Supreme Court of the United States declined to hear appeals, allowing the implementation to proceed as scheduled.

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