Observations on the Analyses Supporting Proposed Closures and Realignments

Abstract

We are pleased to be here today to discuss our report entitled Military Bases: Observations on the Analyses Supporting Proposed Closures and Realignments (GAO/NSIAD-91-224, May 15, 1991). The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-510) established a new process for DOD base closure and realignment actions within the United States. Our report responds to the act's requirement that GAO provide to the Congress and the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission an analysis of the Secretary of Defense's April 12, 1991, recommendations of bases for closure and realignment and the selection process used. GAO agrees that a reduced military force structure requires that military installations be closed and realigned. The Department of Defense (DOD) process, when properly implemented, allows for a reduction in the U.S. military base structure by emphasizing the military value of the installations. On the basis of this criterion, DOD nominated 43 bases for closure and 28 for realignment. This represents a significant start in the process to propose bases for closure and realignment every other year for the next 6 years. The extent to which we could track and assess the process followed by the services was highly dependent on (1) the documentation made available to us, (2) the extent to which the materials used in the process had been checked and verified, (3) the access we had to the process and the officials who participated in the process, and (4) the time available. For example, the Army and the Air Force made extensive materials on their decision process available to us and used their internal audit agencies in implementing their processes. We were also able to discuss the process as it was being conducted and after it was finished with numerous officials involved at all levels of the Army and Air Force decision-making chain, which facilitated our evaluation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 17, 1991
Accession Number
AD1102046

Entities

People

  • Frank C. Conahan

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Base Closures
  • Cost Estimates
  • Costs
  • Department Of Defense
  • Economic Impact
  • Environment
  • Force Structure
  • Governments
  • Marine Corps
  • Materials
  • National Governments
  • National Security
  • Naval Shore Facilities
  • Training
  • United States

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Environmental Remediation and Restoration.