What’s happening with BRAC? By KAREN KENNEDY It’s been a few months since we’ve heard an update on the planned changes at Fort Knox as a result of BRAC – the decisions brought about by the recommendations of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure Commission. This reporter contacted Fort Knox’s public affairs office with a list of questions, which were answered by Col. Mark Needham, Fort Knox garrison commander. Reporter: It’s been rumored some of the BRAC changes may be pushed back an extra year, possibly due to the length of time needed to complete new construction, as well as the possibility that the war is draining financial resources and, therefore, throwing some financial curves at projects planned. Please comment. Needham: The BRAC changes, by law, must be completed by Sept. 15, 2011. The agencies and units moving here and the move of the Armor Center and School to Fort Benning are planned to be completed by that date. The Infantry Brigade Combat Team, a brigade of 3,400 soldiers, was initially scheduled to move here in September of this year. That move has changed to September 2008. That was a decision by the department of the Army as they plan the move of several units from Europe and around the globe. As you know, we broke ground for the first phase of barracks’ complexes for that brigade. When we are done, we will have new, quality barracks to house about 1,440 of the single soldiers in that brigade. Reporter: What is the projected date for the completion of the human resources facility? Needham: We plan to break ground by March or April of next year for the main building for Human Resources Command. Because of the size of the building – over 850,000 square feet – it will probably take up to two years to complete. The Army Corps of Engineers in Louisville is in charge of the construction and work with us closely to make sure we have a first class facility for our new “residents.” Reporter: Will any of the human resources personnel relocate to Fort Knox prior to the completion of the human resources facility? Needham: Yes, they have one officer here now who is acting as a liaison with the command. They will send more advance-team members to work with Fort Knox in the next few years. This move will be in stages; I don’t expect over 3,000 Human Resources Command personnel to arrive at Fort Knox in one week. Luckily, we have some buildings on post that can be used temporarily for those who arrive early to help set up the new location for the employees, contractors and soldiers. Reporter: What specific commands will come to Fort Knox over the next year and when are they due to arrive? Needham: The 19th Engineer Battalion arrived between January and June 2006 with approximately 700 personnel. The 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command will arrive in late 2007 and will number about 257. The Human Resource Command is slated to arrive between 2008 and 2011, bringing with it 3,100 personnel. The 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division will come in late 2008, with 3,400 personnel expected. The 84th Army Reserve Region Training Center will be coming in 2009-2011, bringing 500 personnel. The U.S. Army Accessions Command & U.S. Army Cadet Command will be slated for 2009-2010, bringing with it 380 personnel. Reporter: Since the last “BRAC Road Tour,” have there been additional efforts made to encourage personnel to relocate to Fort Knox? If so, what new types of efforts have been made? What has been the response? Is there a projected date for another BRAC Road Tour? Needham: We are in constant contact with the leadership of the agencies moving to Fort Knox and they are busy preparing their employees for changes. That includes providing information with which they can make an informed decision. The 84th Reserve Region Training Center has a small group here conducting training. This is not really part of their temporary move, but a good way for them to understand the capabilities of Fort Knox The Human Resources Command receives the Turret, our Fort Knox newspaper, each week and the employees read about the post regularly. Beginning next year, we plan to invite employees and soldiers to visit Fort Knox and the surrounding communities in monthly tour visits. We certainly want Meade County involved with that. Reporter: The bulk of relocating military and civilian personnel relocating to Fort Knox should occur by what year? Needham: Please see the time lines provided above. Understand that our timelines must be broad as we try to make sure that we do not inconvenience anyone – Armor School personnel or incoming personnel – with these moves. We do not want a big time between the move of the Armor Center and the move in of the other agencies. It’s a challenging balance of time and resources.
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