Back to Base-ics: Reconfiguring America’s Military Might

Not only a bastion of defense, an army base also serves as an economic center for surrounding communities. And closing a base is a devastating blow to the hosting city and state, often resulting in hundreds of lost jobs and millions in lost revenue.

But keeping open unnecessary army bases drains resources from soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan and prevents the military from modernizing to meet its new enemy: the terrorist.

Evolving to match the threat

Today’s threat is very different from the threat of 30 years ago. Our current configuration of army bases and military objectives comes from Cold War days, when the enemy was far, far away and submarines were an essential weapon.

Today, submarines and fighter jets may be less essential than counter-terrorist measures and increased supplies to Iraq and Afghanistan. With this understanding, the Pentagon has suggested closing or downsizing dozens of military bases in order to free up much-needed funds.

The independent commission that reviews military base closings disagrees with many of the Pentagon’s recommendations, especially the more contentious ones.

Pentagon turned down

The Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission rejected many of the Pentagon’s proposals, including suggestions to close the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.

These communities heavily lobbied the commission, which eventually decided that the bases continue to be essential since China is building a powerful navy, which some consider to be a threat.

Overall, the tenor of the commission is that it’s a bad idea to close bases during a time of war. But critics say now is the time. They argue that because military resources are wearing thin, the military could more effectively use the $48.8 billion that the Pentagon claims it would save from closing bases. Others argue that that figure is inflated, and that lost jobs and local economic downturn make the prospect of closing bases much more complicated.

The complexities of closing a base

The commission is agreeing with many of the Pentagon’s recommendations, however. Several communities are preparing to be hit hard by local base closings.

Fort Monmouth in New Jersey, Fort Gillem and Fort McPherson in Georgia, Fort Monroe in Virginia, and the U.S. Army Garrison in Selfridge, Michigan will all close. And other cities will see jobs transferred from their community to another.

For example, the 4th Infantry Division will move from Fort Hood, Texas, to Fort Carson, Colorado, shifting thousands of troops.

The cities on the receiving end of such transfers are concerned as well, since they will experience a sudden boom in population and will have to provide services to thousands of new residents. Officials in Colorado worry that the arrival of the 4th Infantry Division will cause public schools to overflow; they’re estimating that 2,000 new teachers will be needed.

What happens next?

President Bush must either accept the commission’s list of closures or send it back to them with recommended changes. After a final edit, Bush and Congress will have to accept or reject the entire list.

Many say that the commission’s revisions make it more likely for Congress to approve the list, since many senators and congresspeople represent states that will be influenced by closures. Fewer base closures mean fewer representatives voting against the list in order to protect workers in their states.

Do you think that we should preserve army bases to protect communities and jobs? Or should the military reorganize in order to be more effective? Is there a way to do both? Do you know someone who would be hurt by a base closure? What will she do?

What do you think?

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Article Posted on: 9/4/2005