BRAC, which stands for “Base Realignment and Closure,” is the congressionally authorized process the Department of Defense uses to reorganize its base structure to more efficiently and effectively support the nation’s armed forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business.
Since its designation, there have been five rounds of BRAC, with the authorized rounds taking place in 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995 and most recently 2005. For the last round in 2005, it had a six-year implementation period with the period ending on September 15, 2011.
Although the process for determining closures is technical and in-depth, the basic structure revolves around associating a score with the installations and bases being reviewed. Based upon the score, determinations are made and installations and bases are closed or not closed.
From 2006-2011, Harford County made major investments in infrastructure in anticipation of being a major beneficiary of BRAC. But unfortunately, those hopes fell short of expectations and many buildings sat empty and, in some cases, for more than a decade.
For the score itself, many factors go into the determination and in fact, factors are changing as this has been the longest period experienced without a BRAC determination being handed down. For the last round in 2005, the BRAC considerations were analyzed against the perspective of what closures or alignments would result in transforming the military.
Furthermore, there is high probability another round is coming soon and from what we have been told, two of the highest-ranking factors included in the determinations is quality of life and military pensions.
During the latest round of Air Force base reviews in Maryland (which will soon be the standard for all services), the state received an overall yellow (red is the lowest, yellow is mid-range, and green is the best) assessment for licensure portability for military families, especially spouses. For public education, one of two bases in the state received an overall yellow rating and the other a red rating.
Considering Harford County’s largest employer is Aberdeen Proving Ground, I found this troubling. As a former Marine and veteran who cares deeply for the well-being of our state’s military community, I worry for our future and the next round of BRAC determinations.
In order to be proactive on this looming timeline, I sponsored and passed into law last legislative session a bill that is studying the current licensing metrics and practices happening in the state as they relate to military personnel seeking to transfer their licensures into Maryland.
Knowing this was not enough, I also introduced several bills this year that will directly impact factors related to the Air Force indicators used for reviews. These included the following:
H.B. 713: Remove the age restriction of 55-years-old in order to receive the tax exemption on military retirement pay at $20,000.
H.B. 923: It will study how the Maryland State Department of Education honors transferred Advanced Placement credits from out-of-state high schools from students of military families relocating in Maryland.
H.B. 178: It lowers the qualifying threshold for disabled veterans seeking to obtain a “Disabled Veteran” specialty license plate from 100% disabled to 50% disabled due to service-connected injuries.
H.B. 715: It extends free vehicle registration to disabled veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected injuries.
H.B. 716: It extends fee waivers for disabled veterans deemed unemployable due to service-connected injuries seeking to obtain certain fishing and hunting licenses.
While there is still much work to be done, it is my intent these bills will not only improve our BRAC score but will also directly impact and sustain our state’s military community, from active and reserved to their families and loved ones.
It is also my hope the bills will help shape Maryland into a destination state for the military community. I want our service members to make Maryland their forever home, where they can grow their families, invest in their communities, retire with comrades and thrive in an environment that honors and thanks them for their voluntary and patriotic sacrifice.
Del. Mike Griffith is a Republican representing District 35B, which includes Harford and Cecil counties.
