Summary: GAO discussed its evaluation of the Defense Secretary's Commission on Base Realignment and Closure's methodology for recommending realignment or closure of certain military bases. GAO selected a sample of military bases, and found that the Commission's approach for selecting bases for realignment or closure was consistent with its charter, and provided a realistic and in-depth analysis of military base structure. GAO also found that the: (1) Commission used erroneous data to determine military bases' relative ranking for realignment or closure; (2) estimated $320 million in savings would result principally from personnel reductions at closed military bases; (3) Commission's cost model was erroneous because it overstated base closure costs and the fair market value for surplus government properties; and (4) Commission excluded certain related costs, such as reserve support components and maintenance costs, the economic impact of closure on local communities, and transfer of operating and maintenance costs to other federal agencies.
