Contributed by TX Rep COL Terry Wilson, US Army Retired
The Texas legislature may only meet for 140 days every two years, but in the 18 months between legislative sessions the House and Senate charge their committees to study issues that the next session’s lawmakers will need to address.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, it is my honor to lead the committee in taking up these interim charges and addressing the most pressing issues impacting our state’s emergency and military preparedness.
One of the most extensive and complex of these charges involves the Base Realignment and Closure process known as BRAC. BRAC began in the wake of World War II. Indefinitely maintaining the infrastructure and personnel assembled at the height of wartime was not seen as sustainable, leading to the closure of 569 military installations, including 60 major bases.
Texas’s military installations play a crucial role in the state’s economy. With 14 bases representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the National Guard, these installations spread across 10 of the Texas Comptroller’s 12 economic regions, covering more than 1.4 million acres (about twice the area of Yosemite National Park).
Collectively, our military bases directly employ about 213,176 people, contributing to a total of 677,022 jobs when accounting for direct and indirect employment. Those jobs are more than just economics, they represent our state’s participation in our nation’s national defense strategy. The more aligned our state is with that strategy, the larger the role we play in carrying it out.
The closure of an installation or base has the potential to devastate the surrounding community overnight, sending ripples across our entire state economy. Texas experienced significant impacts from past BRAC actions, with Bergstrom Airforce Base (AFB), Carswell AFB (now part of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth), and Chase Field Naval Air Station closed or realigned in 1991. Naval Air Station Dallas was decommissioned in 1998 and later redeveloped as the Grand Prairie Armed Forces Reserve Complex.
Reese AFB, near College Station, closed in 1997, and Kelly AFB was realigned to Kelly Field in 2001. The Red River Army Depot faced closure in 1995 and 2005 but remains operational to this day. Since 2001 Texas has seen three installations close, with Naval Station Ingleside near Corpus Christi closing in 2005, the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant in Texarkana deactivating in 2009, and Brooks AFB outside San Antonio ceasing operations in 2011.
Preventing future closures requires strengthening not only our military bases, but also their surrounding communities. To that end, the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs received the charge to examine the strength of our military bases and installations and make recommendations on how we can best position Texas to not only protect our bases from closure but to expand our mission sets and bring more investment into our state.
There are numerous reasons for the closure and realignment of bases. BRAC law mandates that the Department of Defense develop criteria for base closure and realignment, with military value being the primary consideration. The BRAC 2005 Selection Criteria emphasized military value through factors such as mission capabilities, readiness, available land and facilities, ability to support surge and contingency needs, and operational costs. Other considerations included costs and savings, economic impact on communities, infrastructure support, and environmental impact.
It is important to note that aside from military value factors, regional characteristics associated with quality of life play an influential role in basing decisions made by the Department of Defense. Of the 40 military value attributes utilized by the Department of the Army in their 2005 BRAC analysis, the following nine attributes are directly related to the living conditions, safety, economic opportunities, and overall well-being of a military community: air quality, noise contours, crime index, employment opportunity, housing, medical care availability, and in-state tuition policy.
Quality of Life
As Chairman of the House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs, I believe it is our duty as a state to maintain and improve military family readiness. This is not just about caring for our service members — it is about making Texas a national leader in supporting those who serve. Quality of life is a key factor in federal-level basing decisions, and we must do our part to ensure Texas remains an attractive option for new missions.
Recent amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act have made it clear that the well-being of military families plays a crucial role in these decisions. Housing, healthcare, education, employment opportunities for military spouses, and recreational activities are all critical to military family readiness, especially at remote installations. These are areas where we can and must do more.
By leading the way in providing for our service members and their families, Texas can set an example for the rest of the country and continue to attract new missions that strengthen our state’s role in the national defense strategy.
Professional License Portability
Frequent relocations are an inherent aspect of military life, often causing significant disruptions to the careers of military spouses. These individuals frequently encounter complex and varying licensing and certification requirements in each new state, a burden that compels many to forgo their professional careers or live apart from their service members in order to maintain employment. This is a unique challenge corresponding to the quality of life of a military family.
One example of Texas’ dedication to military family readiness is the passage of legislation like SB 1200 in 2019, and Senate Bill 422 in 2023, mandating that state licensing boards issue licenses to military spouses and service members within 30 days, a provision that has benefited the military families stationed in Texas.
Encroachment
Another contributing factor to the military value of an installation is encroachment – whether that be architectural, environmental, or technological. Encroachments can significantly reduce the military value of an installation, especially when they directly interfere with a critical mission of the installation.
One recent example of this is the Blue Hills Wind Farm project, initiated by GH America Energy, a company owned by Chinese billionaire Sun Guangxin. The project has faced many challenges due to national security concerns and potential encroachment on military installations, particularly Laughlin Air Force Base. The Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act blocked its development in 2021. Despite a mitigation agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense, concerns persist. Encroachment issues and foreign investment scrutiny have led to legal disputes, with Senator John Cornyn urging the project’s suspension earlier this year.
Economic Impact
Texas military installations are essential not only to national defense but also to the state’s economy and the well-being of military communities.
The economic impact of these military bases is significant, with contributions totaling nearly $89 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The overall economic output generated by these installations reached approximately $151.3 billion, and they provided around $48.4 billion in disposable personal income. This data emphasizes the vital role that Texas’ military presence plays not only in national defense but also in supporting local economies and job creation across a variety of industries.
By focusing on military value, quality of life, and addressing encroachment and professional license portability, Texas can strengthen its military communities and continue attracting new missions. The House Committee on Defense & Veterans’ Affairs will be publishing a report by January 1, 2025, detailing the testimony collected during public hearings held in August, and I urge you to read it for more comprehensive information.
These efforts not only enhance the operational readiness of our military but also ensure Texas remains a leader in supporting service members and their families, contributing to both economic growth and national security.