Posted on 03/13/2005 5:06:17 AM PST by SandRat
Tuesday is a big day in the BRAC process. Fort Huachuca, like every other military base in the United States, is now in the stretch run.
The naming of the commission member is a step toward making the BRAC process a reality. The commission members take the list that will be issued by the Department of Defense on May 16 and will review the military's decisions.
What do we hope for from the BRAC commission?
First, we hope its members are fair in their review of what bases should be reduced or closed. By this, we hope that the commission members can look over the temptation of political pressures that will be brought to bear and make a decision based on what the military needs today and in the future.
Second, we hope members listen to why bases need to remain open. Through their travels later this year, the commissioners will need to have an understanding of the function of each military facility. They need to listen. Give people a chance to state their cases.
Third, we hope they use common sense in their approach. They need to carefully review why certain military functions are in certain areas of the nation. If they see something that doesn't work, they should fix it. When it comes to Fort Huachuca, we think they'll find a solid organization that has the space - both air and land - to carry out the missions it is tasked to accomplish.
If these factors happen, the commission will make a fair decision, which we believe includes the survival and possible growth of Fort Huachuca. The commissioners will make their decision based on the type of facts that make Fort Huachuca a unique installation because of its high-tech missions. One that is perfect for certain military functions. An added benefit is that it has the best relationships between a civilian community and a military base anywhere in the United States.
So, as you likely hear or see the names on Tuesday that are named to the nine-member BRAC commission, you'll want to take into account that these people have the power to change the BRAC list.
We hope they study well and approve the continuing efforts of Fort Huachuca to keep our nation safe. We are confident the commissioners will see it Fort Huachuca's way.
We need a BRAC to deal with the entire federal government. Why limit it to military bases and force realignment? Does anybody in his right mind think the vast multitude of other government bureacuracies and endless money sink-holes are being run effeciently - much less even needed?
Maybe el Zorro will say that he needs Ft. Sill so that he can control the lillegals --- Hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehhehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe awwwwk! got myself into a laughing fit there.
Well..Don't get snippy about it...
I've got to go out the pasture, gather up some mesquite..get the fire going after I butcher the beef! You get your own beer!
Yes there is someone. It's Kongress and they think they are perfect and the military is the sole federal imerfect waste.
Ok,.....I'll bring the fry bread too.
BRAC decisions should be based on training area available.
We don't need little plots of ground or small reservations.
That would close Ft Knox, Ft Monmouth, etc. and similar places.
Modern Equipment requires large land areas for soldiers to train. If Huachuca is large it should be retained. If it isn't it should be closed.
they do training at Ft. Knox....
it should be determined on who has the most pertinent mission and on down from there.
There is more to the military than just training.
If the did that, they'd not close bases, they open up some previously closed. But the political pressure of spending on the welfare state dictates that bases must be closed, weapons systems canceled, and troop numbers reduced. (Let them go on welfare I guess, not that some of the married junior enlisted members aren't already eligible for food stamps and such)
That's true, but most of the rest of mission can be tucked in to little corners of the big training bases. Co location has some advantages from a mission standpoint, as well as saving on overhead functions needed to keep any base or post open. OTOH, being a tenant on a base who's main mission is something other than yours can be a pain in the patooti.
You have actual federal DoD police? The post I work on, as a civilian contractor, has a private security firm maning the gates. Some DoD "police" and MPs for other general law enforcement functions. The private rent a cops are at least armed. Glocks.
You'd be surprised at the number who are. Every winter here the Optimist Club has what they call the Coats for Kids Campaign (ages toddler - 11th grade) and the president of the club tells me that they give at least 100-150 complete sets of winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarfs to the installation Chaplain for distrobution to the service families on post that are in need of those items.
What the KongressKritters don't get is that to outfit one soldier requires a whole lot of skilled trades people and craftsmen.
Why not try it? Remember you have start with the service member in his birthday suit and add one item at a time. Start equiping him and think of just who is involved, remember the little things like dog tags, razors, toilet paper, a comb and such too.
Done?
Good now multiply that by 500 and that's just for an initial issue of stuff and some of it gets used up and worn out so it has to be replaced. Now that's a good start on who many civilian workers you lay-off when you reduce the Army by one Battalion.
Now multiply that number by 30 and that's one combat Light infantry Division. Get the picture?
we hope members listen to why bases need to remain open
TRANSLATION: We hope members listen (see) why (that) the bases (GIs wallets) need to remain open in our town.....
I was at Dugway Utah in 1995-1996 during the last BRAC. The gyrations that place went thru to get off the BRAC was something to watch.
There has been a complete industry created to deal with the BRAC commissions. There are consultants who manage the entire process. We had post wide meetings every week where we were given reports on the BRAC as well as things we should be doing.
See reply 31
It's the infrastructure of a military installation that makes it different than other agencies. It's expensive to maintain the physical operations of a base, i.e. upkeep. If an activity on a base is important, it is realigned and moved to another location.
"... to outfit one soldier requires a whole lot of skilled trades people and craftsmen."
"Remember you have start with the service member in his birthday suit and add one item at a time. Start equiping him and think of just who is involved, remember the little things like dog tags, razors, toilet paper, a comb and such too."
And none of this equipment is made outside the gates of Ft. Hoochykoochey, and most of it is purchased in the MCSS (Military clothing & Sales Stores)...
So there are an awfull lot of folks across the country that are impacted when you eliminate one battalion of troops and even more when you eliminate a division think jobs for clothing, fabric mills, leather boot makers, farmers sending bulk food shipments, machinists making vehicles or a host of other items. When you cut into the size of the service you cut civilian jobs and the KongressKritters don't get it.
As to the jobs around here a good number are high tech engineering.
Add to that this area is still the most pristine electromagnetic area around to use for testing electronics for the military.
Thanks for the ping!
Minky boodle!
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