Base Realignment and Closure

Base Realignment and Closure is a process by the United States Department of Defense to reorganize and reduce its armed forces infrastructure, with the goal of increasing efficiency and saving costs, as recommended by the United States Congress and implemented by the Secretary of Defense, with input from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and in consultation with the National Security Council. This process involves the closure or realignment of United States military bases, which can have significant economic and social impacts on the surrounding communities, as seen in the cases of Fort Ord, Fort Devens, and Presidio of San Francisco. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission plays a crucial role in this process, working closely with the General Services Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. The process is also influenced by the National Defense Authorization Act, which is overseen by the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services and the United States House Committee on Armed Services.

● Introduction to

Base Realignment and Closure The Base Realignment and Closure process is a complex and multifaceted one, involving the coordination of various United States federal agencies, including the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state governments and local governments, such as the California Governor's Office and the New York City Mayor's Office. The process is designed to identify and recommend closures or realignments of military bases that are no longer necessary or are underutilized, with the goal of reducing costs and increasing efficiency, as outlined in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush and implemented by the Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. This process is also influenced by the National Military Strategy, which is developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, the Chief of Naval Operations, and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission works closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Guard Bureau to ensure a smooth transition.

● History of

Base Realignment and Closure The history of Base Realignment and Closure dates back to the 1980s, when the United States Department of Defense first began to consider closing or realigning military bases as a way to reduce costs and increase efficiency, with the support of President Ronald Reagan and the United States Congress, including the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House Armed Services Committee. The first round of Base Realignment and Closure took place in 1988, and was followed by additional rounds in 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005, with the involvement of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, which was established by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990, and worked closely with the General Accounting Office, now known as the Government Accountability Office. The process has been influenced by various United States presidents, including President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama, as well as Congressional leaders, such as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission has also worked with the National Association of Counties, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities to address the impacts of Base Realignment and Closure on local communities.

● Process of

Base Realignment and Closure The process of Base Realignment and Closure involves several steps, including the identification of military bases that are eligible for closure or realignment, the development of recommendations for closure or realignment, and the implementation of those recommendations, with the involvement of the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission plays a key role in this process, working closely with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Council, and the Office of Management and Budget, to ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and effective, as outlined in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990. The process is also influenced by the National Environmental Policy Act, which is administered by the Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Historic Preservation Act, which is administered by the National Park Service. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission works with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Environmental Defense Fund to address environmental and historic preservation concerns.

● Impact of

Base Realignment and Closure The impact of Base Realignment and Closure can be significant, both economically and socially, with the potential to affect thousands of military personnel, civilian employees, and local communities, as seen in the cases of Fort Monroe, Fort McPherson, and Naval Station Great Lakes. The closure or realignment of a military base can result in the loss of jobs, the disruption of local economies, and the impact on community infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and transportation systems, as noted by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office. However, the process can also provide opportunities for economic development, job creation, and community growth, as seen in the cases of Presidio of San Francisco, Fort Devens, and Naval Air Station Alameda, with the support of the Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration, and the Economic Development Administration. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission works with the National Association of Counties, the United States Conference of Mayors, and the National League of Cities to address the impacts of Base Realignment and Closure on local communities.

● Notable Examples of

Base Realignment and Closure There have been several notable examples of Base Realignment and Closure over the years, including the closure of Fort Ord in California, the realignment of Fort Devens in Massachusetts, and the closure of Presidio of San Francisco in California, with the involvement of the Department of Defense, the General Services Administration, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Other notable examples include the closure of Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, the realignment of Fort Monroe in Virginia, and the closure of Fort McPherson in Georgia, as recommended by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission and implemented by the Secretary of Defense. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission has also worked with the National Park Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency to address environmental concerns related to Base Realignment and Closure.

● Criticisms and Controversies of

Base Realignment and Closure The Base Realignment and Closure process has been the subject of criticism and controversy over the years, with some arguing that the process is flawed, and that the recommendations for closure or realignment are not always based on sound military strategy or economic analysis, as noted by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office. Others have argued that the process is too slow, and that it does not provide adequate support for local communities that are affected by the closure or realignment of a military base, as seen in the cases of Fort Monroe, Fort McPherson, and Naval Station Great Lakes. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission has faced criticism from Congressional leaders, including Senator John McCain and Representative Buck McKeon, as well as from local officials, such as the Mayor of San Francisco and the Governor of California. Despite these criticisms, the Base Realignment and Closure process remains an important tool for the United States Department of Defense to reorganize and reduce its infrastructure, with the goal of increasing efficiency and saving costs, as recommended by the United States Congress and implemented by the Secretary of Defense. Category:United States military