BRACThe Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission process, based on a concept proposed by BENS member Bill Tremayne, was established in the late 1980s to take the politics out of closing bases. The BRAC Commission, acting on recommendations from the Secretary of Defense, prepares a list of proposed closures and realignments to be accepted or rejected in total by the President and Congress. Since inception, there have been 5 rounds of base closure. From 1988 to 1995, realignment or closure actions were approved at 387 locations. GAO estimates that over $20 billion has been saved from previous actions, with an additional $15 billion possible over the next 10 years. Since working with Rep. Dick Armey to get the original legislation passed in 1988, BENS has been the go-to advocate in the non-profit and private sector for BRAC action. Despite BRAC’s success, the military still has more bases than it needs, causing a drain on money and resources. We assess that the most recent round of closures (2005) fell short of the goals established: the Defense Department estimates only a 5% reduction in infrastructure (as measured by Plant Replacement Value) out of the 20-25% identified excess. Realignments, rather than outright closure, have had the effect of creating pockets of underutilized resources on many bases. BENS’ focus turns now from the BRAC process itself to how to help DoD and communities “turn such excess into efficiency.” We continue to advocate pilot programs at specific locations to encourage base/community partnerships to revitalize infrastructure on open bases. Some future Secretary of Defense will undoubtedly call for more bases to be closed. However, because of Congress’ reluctance to take up the issue, we assess that it will be 2015 before a new round of BRAC will unfold.
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