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Military Bases: Observations on the Analyses Supporting Proposed Closures and Realignments

NSIAD-91-224 Published: May 15, 1991. Publicly Released: May 15, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reported on the Secretary of Defense's recommendations and the military services' selection process for base closures and realignments.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should require the Secretary of the Navy to submit to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission specific details on the manner in which its Base Structure Committee compared bases to develop closure and realignment recommendations.
Closed – Implemented
The Commission recommended, and Congress approved, closure of 34 military bases and realignment of 48 additional bases. Fiscal year (FY) 1992 through FY 1997 net savings of $2.3 billion, and annual savings of $1.5 billion.
Department of Defense The Secretary of Defense should ensure the use of consistent procedures and practices among the services in future base closure and realignment reviews.
Closed – Implemented
DOD has responded and will develop consistent procedures and practices.
Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure The Chairman, Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, should consider, in evaluating the Navy requirement for bases, the impact of excess space for ship berths on base requirements.
Closed – Implemented
The Defense Base Closure Commission considered the recommendation and decided not to close additional homeports.
Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure The Chairman, Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission, should consider for all the services the effects of incorrect cost and savings estimates on all proposed base closures and realignments, using the result of GAO sensitivity analysis.
Closed – Implemented
The Defense Base Closure Commission considered the results of the sensitivity analysis, obtained additional cost and savings data, and modified the closure recommendations recommended by the Secretary of Defense.

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Topics

Base closuresBase realignmentsCost effectiveness analysisDefense budgetsDefense cost controlFederal agency reorganizationFuture budget projectionsMilitary basesReductions in forceSite selection