Base Realigment and Closure Updates and Their Impact on Logistics

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_B_Thompson]Jeremy B Thompson
Base Realignment and Closure, which is also known as BRAC, is a United States Federal government procedure to close or realign all military installations that are deemed superfluous or which don't make any significant contribution anymore due to various factors. The BRAC recommends either closing or realigning these installations by overcoming the usual political and military challenges that are faced whenever there are attempts made to reduce or eliminate long-standing institutions. A military set-up can require millions of dollars annually; therefore members of Congress will often put up a stiff fight against such closing them down.
The last BRAC process was initiated in 2005 when the Pentagon released a list of military centers approved for the BRAC process. This commission also suggested that the next round of BRAC processes should be authorized in 2015 and from there on, a BRAC initiative must be conducted every 8 years.
The Base Realignment and Closure initiative has, for its primary goal, the saving Department money by creating efficiencies and reducing overhead. But, as is normal with such types of plans, there is a price to be paid in terms of relocating or replacing the employees; perhaps even the demolition of buildings or rehabilitation of buildings.
In support of the BRAC initiative, many contracts have been awarded to a large number of contractors who help with relocation of personnel, equipment and also perform the function of Information Technology management during the handover process as well as other service providers like housekeeping services.
Although the Base Realignment and Closures process is feared by many because of its potential to create unemployment and the strenuous efforts needed to implement a viable plan to reuse or repurpose bases, research has demonstrated that these realignment and closure procedures do not have the extreme effects feared by many communities. The impact could be less than expected because unlike other major employers, military installations could be considered to be relatively isolated units and therefore economic entities which spend their dollars outside the community where it's located, spending income on the base rather than in the local community. However, in rural areas, the impact could be higher and the economic recovery process slower.
Local government expenditure and services can be adversely affected due to the base realignment and closure initiatives and goals. This of course depends on the magnitude to which the military base is integrated into the local community's fiscal planning.
The [http://www.wbresearch.com/defenselogisticsusa/base-realignment-and-closure.aspx]Base Realignment and Closure commission made a huge impact on military spending in the USA. Visit our website to learn more.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Base-Realigment-and-Closure-Updates-and-Their-Impact-on-Logistics&id=6649981] Base Realigment and Closure Updates and Their Impact on Logistics