Base Realignment and Closure: Are Additional Rounds Necessary

Abstract

The end of the Cold War signaled the beginning of dramatic changes in our national security and military strategies. These strategies along with a dismal economic environment resulted in a defense budget that dropped from a high of $400 billion to $250 billion in less than a decade. The Department of Defense attempted to oversee balanced cuts in the personnel, modernization, and operations accounts as fiscal resources were reduced. Military infrastructure accounts however, did not receive a proportionate reduction in resources. Despite Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds in 1989, 1991, 1993 and 1995, military infrastructure far exceeds defense requirements. Against tough congressional resistance, DoD is pursuing two additional BRAC rounds. The DoD wants to use savings achieved through future BRAC closure actions for modernization and quality of life programs. This paper addresses the history of base closure, the BRAC process and arguments for and against future BRAC rounds.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 26, 1999
Accession Number
ADA364490

Entities

People

  • Keith R. Stedman

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force Facilities
  • Base Closures
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Environment
  • Environmental Restoration And Remediation
  • Infrastructure
  • Law
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Budgets
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Economics
  • Environmental Remediation and Restoration.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.