The Road to Realignment

In 2005, the Defense Department will recommend which military bases in the United States should be closed or realigned. The Pentagon's announcement will kick off a six-month process that will determine the future for hundreds of military bases and thousands of military and civilian personnel who work at them.

May 16, 2005

The Pentagon publishes its report recommending bases for closure or realignment.

June-August

A nine-member nonpartisan BRAC commission holds public hearings and visits bases around the country as it weighs the Pentagon's recommendations.

Sept. 8

The BRAC commission makes its final recommendations in a report to the president.

Sept. 23

Deadline for the president to approve or reject the recommendations. If the president approves, Congress has 45 legislative days to reject the recommendations, or they go into effect.

Oct. 20

Deadline for the commission's new recommendations if the president rejects the initial list.

Nov. 7

President's deadline for approving or rejecting the revised recommendations.