BRAC Impact Still Hard to Gauge, Report says

By: fedweek

A report from the Congressional Research Service says that the impact on federal jobs of the round of defense base closings approved in 2005 is still unclear. The report noted that the closings are to be accomplished by September 2011, and that "it appears that detailed information about implications or options will emerge over time.– The formal estimate is that the closings and realignments approved in that package will result in a net decrease of 15,874 jobs. However, CRS noted that as in past base closings rounds, DoD has said it will use a variety of tools such as buyouts, early retirement, job placement programs and other authorities to reduce the number of those laid off. In past base closings rounds, the number of individuals who were laid off was well below the number of job cuts. However, base closings affect far more employees than the number of job losses, as RIF actions ripple through the workforce and employees transfer among locations.