Base Closings Job Loss Pegged at 16,000

The Defense Department base closings list approved last year will result in the loss of nearly 16,000 federal civilian jobs, the Congressional Research Service has projected, a total slightly lower than the 18,000 figure that would have resulted had a special base closings commission not slightly altered the Pentagon’s original proposals. That figure is only a net total, however, as transfers of jobs and realignments in affected facilities will affect tens of thousands more employees in all. By state, Maryland stands to be the largest net gainer, up 7,773, and Virginia the largest loser, minus 10,838. The number of employees who will be laid off likely will be significantly lower than the net total, since DoD will use buyouts, early retirement, attrition and other methods to lessen the number of layoffs. The closings are to occur over a several year period starting no later than next year.