	BRAC and DOD Civilian Employees

On May 13, 2005, the Department of Defense (DOD) announced recommendations to close or realign a number of domestic U.S. military bases in order to consolidate forces and save funds. The announcement occurred as a step in the 2005 round of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process, as authorized by Congress in 2001. Under the BRAC framework, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld transmitted the recommendations to the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (commonly referred to as the BRAC Commission) for its review and recommendations. Overall, the data in Appendix O indicated a net decrease of 15,874 federal civilian jobs across all states and areas, corresponding to the BRAC Commission's recommendations. On September 15, 2005, the President, who could accept or reject the BRAC Commission's recommendations only in their entirety, approved the commission's recommendations and transmitted them to Congress. On October 27, 2005, Congress rejected H.J.Res. 65 , a resolution of disapproval of the BRAC Commission's recommendations. The recommendations took effect on November 9, 2005. This report focuses on DOD civil service (appropriated fund) employees. When BRAC closures and realignments are implemented, there will likely be several implications and options for affected DOD civil service employees. Implications of NSPS and Labor-Management Relations

		National Security Personnel System (NSPS)

Implementation of DOD's NSPS could have implications in some respects for how DOD employees are affected by the BRAC process.
As a step in the 2005 round of the base realignment and closure (BRAC) process, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission (commonly referred to as the BRAC Commission) recommended on September 8, 2005, that a number of domestic U.S. military installations be closed or realigned. Overall, the BRAC Commission estimated that the recommended closures or realignments would result in a net decrease of 15,874 federal civilian jobs at the Department of Defense (DOD). On September 15, 2005, the President approved the commission's recommendations and transmitted them to Congress. Congress rejected H.J.Res. 65 (a resolution of disapproval of the BRAC Commission recommendations) on October 27, 2005. The BRAC Commission recommendations took effect on November 9, 2005, and are required to be implemented by 2011.
As BRAC-related closures and realignments are implemented, there will likely be several implications and options for affected DOD civil service employees relating to reductions in force (RIFs) and several types of transition assistance. In addition, DOD's National Security Personnel System (NSPS) and labor-management relations could have implications in some respects for how DOD employees are affected by the BRAC process.
This report will be updated if major changes occur in the BRAC process regarding DOD civil service employees. Implementation of NSPS is discussed in CRS Report RL31954, DOD's National Security Personnel System: Statute, Regulations, and Implementation Plans, by [author name scrubbed] et al.