Focuses on lessons learned from four rounds of base realignments and closures (BRACs) held in 1988, 1991, 1993, and 1995. Addresses the applicability of these lessons to future BRACs as related to savings, costs, and economic impact; legislative actions needed to authorize future BRAC rounds; and what improvements would be needed in the Department of Defense's process for identifying bases for realignment and closure. Charts and tables.

This report finds that: because the Navy's process stressed the reduction of excess capacity there were cases where a base was recommended for closure, even though its mil. value was rated higher that bases that remained open; the Army chose not to recommend a base for closure in part because of environ'l. cleanup costs -- a reason excluded from cost of closure calculations; the AF documentation makes it difficult to understand the justification for some decisions, although AF oral explanations justified the recommendations.

Approximately 13 years ago, in December 1988, the first military base closure commission recommended the closing and realignment of 145 US domestic bases and facilities. This action was the consequence of the Department of Defense's broad reevaluation of its mission in conjunction with the weakening and ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union. There was little need, according to the Pentagon, to continue to retain the vast Cold War-era infrastructure. Funds saved from closing down under-utilised bases, DOD further noted, could be used to enhance development of new weapons and improved readiness. Three additional rounds followed the 1988 round of infrastructure reductions in 1991, 1993, and 1995. Since then, no further rounds of base closures and realignments have been authorised by Congress, despite repeated requests from the Department of Defense in recent years for two additional rounds. The reasons for congressional resistance are two-fold. First, there is concern over a likely backlash from constituents living in or near military installations. Second, many Members of Congress remain wary about a repetition of the perceived political intrusion by the Clinton Administration that occurred in regard to the 1995 recommendations to close Kelly and McClellan air force bases. This book reveals the tension in the military facilities that may yet again be up for closure. Also discussed are the issues members of Congress feel need be answered before conducting a new round of base closures, when the national security environment is uncertain.

As the Dept. of Defense (DoD) prepares for the 2005 base realignment & closure (BRAC) round, questions continue to be raised about the transfer & environmental cleanup of unneeded property arising from the prior 4 BRAC rounds & their impact on cost & savings & on local economies. This report describes DoD's progress in implementing prior BRAC post-closure actions. It addresses: (1) the transfer of unneeded base property to other users, (2) the magnitude of the net savings accruing from the prior rounds, (3) estimated costs for environmental cleanup of BRAC property, & (4) the economic recovery of communities affected by base closures. Charts & tables.