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DCN 4081
Executive Correspondence
PETER B..BOWMAN 16 OLD FERRYLN,.KITTERY, ME 03904
5 July 2005
Hon. Anthony J. Principi- Chairman
2005 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission
2521 S. Clark Street - Suite 600 ;
Arlington, VA 22202
Dear Chairman Principi:
First, as a former commissioner on Jim Courter's 1993 BRAC, I want to tell you that you
have my utmost respect and admiration for the job that you and the rest of the 2005
Commission are doing for our country! Only a few citizens, other than those who have
served previously, know the difficulty of the decisions that you and your colleagues must
make!
Second, I want to give you my experienced opinion on two installations currently on the
DOD closure list: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Submarine Base, Groton. As a former
commissioner:
- I believe that the Shipyard's operational and safety performance, placing it clearly
first among its private and public sector peers, coupled with its innovative history,
deserves special consideration for removal from the DOD list. Although the money that
the Shipyard is saving is clearly tangible and substantial, the performance and industry
leadership of the PNS team is indeed priceless! No one even comes close!
- It befuddles me that DOD planners would even consider (again) the expense of
disassembling and transporting Submarine Base, Groton a thousand miles to the south.
They tried to do just that in 1993 and we rejected the idea! Additionally, although I was
not a strategic planner during my 30-year career of Navy nuclear submarine and shipyard
assignments, the consolidation of our forces in a few southern locations seems to be just
plain unwise!
Finally, everything that I have read or heard about the 2005 Commission reflects the great
leadership that you are providing. I secretly wish I could be a part of your team!
With great admiration and appreciation,
Peter B. Bowman
CAPT, USN (Ret)
