Base Realignment and Closure Commission

Base Realignment and Closure Commission is a federal agency responsible for evaluating and recommending closures and realignments of United States Department of Defense bases. The commission was established to help the United States Armed Forces reduce costs and increase efficiency by consolidating and closing unnecessary bases. The Base Realignment and Closure Commission works closely with the United States Secretary of Defense, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate to identify bases that are no longer needed or can be consolidated. The commission's recommendations are based on factors such as National Security Strategy, Department of Defense budget, and United States military personnel requirements, as outlined by The Goldwater-Nichols Act and The National Defense Authorization Act.

Introduction

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission was created to address the issue of excess infrastructure in the United States Department of Defense. The commission's primary goal is to recommend closures and realignments of United States military bases that are no longer needed or can be consolidated, as stated in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act. This process involves evaluating the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, and Department of the Air Force bases, as well as United States Coast Guard and National Guard facilities, in consultation with the United States Secretary of the Army, United States Secretary of the Navy, and United States Secretary of the Air Force. The commission's recommendations are based on factors such as National Security Strategy, Department of Defense budget, and United States military personnel requirements, as outlined by The Goldwater-Nichols Act and The National Defense Authorization Act, and in accordance with the Hart-Rudman Commission and The Project on National Security Reform.

History

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission was first established in 1988 by the United States Congress as part of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The commission was created in response to the Cold War and the need to reduce the size of the United States military and close unnecessary bases, as recommended by the Packard Commission and The Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces. Since its establishment, the commission has conducted several rounds of base closures and realignments, including the 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, and 2005 rounds, which were overseen by Chairman Alan Dixon and Chairman Anthony Principi. The commission's recommendations have resulted in the closure of hundreds of bases and the realignment of many others, including Fort Ord, Fort Devens, and Naval Station Pascagoula, and have been influenced by the Bosnian War, Gulf War, and War in Afghanistan.

Process

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission process involves several steps, including the identification of potential bases for closure or realignment, the evaluation of the Department of Defense's recommendations, and the development of a list of recommended closures and realignments, as outlined in the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act. The commission works closely with the United States Department of Defense, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate to ensure that the process is fair and transparent, and that the recommendations are based on the National Security Strategy and the Department of Defense budget, as stated by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. The commission also holds public hearings and accepts comments from the public, as required by the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.

Commissions

There have been several Base Realignment and Closure Commissions established over the years, each with its own unique mandate and responsibilities, including the 1988 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission, and the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The commissions have been chaired by prominent individuals, including Alan Dixon, John Glenn, and Anthony Principi, who have worked closely with the United States Secretary of Defense, United States House of Representatives, and United States Senate to identify bases that are no longer needed or can be consolidated, as recommended by the Hart-Rudman Commission and The Project on National Security Reform. The commissions have also worked with other federal agencies, including the General Services Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency, to ensure that the closure and realignment process is carried out in an environmentally responsible manner, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.

Impact

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission has had a significant impact on the United States Department of Defense and the United States military, resulting in the closure of hundreds of bases and the realignment of many others, including Fort Ord, Fort Devens, and Naval Station Pascagoula. The commission's recommendations have helped to reduce the size of the United States military and close unnecessary bases, resulting in significant cost savings for the United States Department of Defense, as stated by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta. The commission's work has also had an impact on local communities, with some communities experiencing economic benefits from the closure of bases, while others have experienced economic losses, as reported by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office. The commission's recommendations have been influenced by the Bosnian War, Gulf War, and War in Afghanistan, and have been implemented in accordance with the National Security Strategy and the Department of Defense budget.

Legislation

The Base Realignment and Closure Commission is authorized by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act, which was passed by the United States Congress in 1990, and amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, signed into law by President George W. Bush. The act provides the commission with the authority to recommend closures and realignments of United States military bases, and requires the United States Department of Defense to implement the commission's recommendations, as stated by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The act also requires the commission to consider factors such as National Security Strategy, Department of Defense budget, and United States military personnel requirements, as outlined by The Goldwater-Nichols Act and The National Defense Authorization Act, and in accordance with the Hart-Rudman Commission and The Project on National Security Reform. The commission's work is also guided by other legislation, including the Federal Advisory Committee Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, and is subject to oversight by the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate, as well as the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office.

Category:United States Department of Defense