BRAC Attack?

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno said today that the Army would have to begin closing bases if it is made to bear the full brunt of sequestration.

"If they implement the size of the cuts we have now, they have to do a BRAC because it becomes inefficient if we don't, especially for the Army," Odierno told a group of reporters after a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on the potential effects of sequestration.

"BRAC" is the acronym for the Base Realignment and Closure Commission process known to drive fear into the hearts of lawmakers across Capitol Hill, especially if their districts are home to large bases or maintenance depots.

"We have billions of dollars of impact on surrounding communities," he said. "As we cut forces, as we reduce programs, it will impact all of the small businesses that surround all of our installations. I think if we have to execute full sequestration, and the fact that we're going to take out significant structure in the guard, the reserve and out active component, then we're going to have to look at a BRAC."

Odierno has not been cavalier in his use of the "B word" thus far, but used it today to ratchet up the pressure on Congress to come to a deal to avoid sequestration.

"I am disappointed so far in what's happening," he remarked about Washington's failure to come to a compromise. "I think for a lot of reasons, people have just not paid enough attention. I'm concerned that we haven't taken action and I'm concerned that there's really no discussion going on."