Washington, Jun 16, 2005 -

U.S. Representative John R. Carter (TX-31) learned late yesterday that Base Realignment and Closing Commissioners (BRAC) James T. Hill and Sue E. Turner will be visiting Fort Hood this coming Wednesday, June 22.

            “This is a major step toward protecting Ft. Hood and overturning the DoD’s recommendations that would negatively impact this top notch military installation,” said Carter. “The Commissioners will get to see firsthand Ft. Hood’s true training capability, ample training areas and state-of-the-art facilities.”

Recently, Carter formally requested the Commissioners to visit Fort Hood and worked with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison in solidifying the visit.  Carter said, “I want to thank Senator Hutchison for working with me to protect Fort Hood in making sure that it remains the largest premier military installation in the world.”

During the visit, the Commissioners will meet with Fort Hood Command and discuss the BRAC recommendations made by the Department of Defense last month.  This visit precedes the regional BRAC hearing in San Antonio on July 11^th. Carter will continue to work in preparation for the hearing with Senator Hutchison, the Heart of Texas Defense Alliance and the local community.

Many believe the BRAC recommendations to cut forces and capability stem from faulty facts and crucial misinformation. After BRAC was announced, DoD officials acknowledged the recommendations came from 2003 numbers. Ft. Hood will return to 40,863 military personnel in 2011, after reaching a peak 49,400 in 2006.  It was also confirmed that the Army left out 37,600 available acres for training at Fort Hood when considering the BRAC recommendations. 

In the event the recommendations made by DoD are accepted, DoD officials have assured Carter that Ft. Hood will remain a premier military installation and no other will have five brigade combat teams, a three star UEx, a two star UEx, along with additional support units. 

For more information about the upcoming visit or hearing, please contact Gretchen Hamel at (202)225-3864.