Just because a base doesn't make Rumsfeld's list doesn't mean it is safe. Hill Air Force Base wasn't on the defense secretary's list in 1995, but base-closure commissioners included it on their list, as well as four other Air Force air logistics centers.

BRAC is the only group that can make changes to the final base-closure list. President Bush must either accept the commission's recommendations in full or reject them all by Sept. 15. If the president wants any changes, he can return it to the commission with suggestions (which the commission may accept or revise by Oct. 20). A final decision by the president on any modified list must come by Nov. 7.

Once the president's final list is sent to Congress, it has 45 legislative days — or until adjournment for the year — to accept or reject the list as a whole. Like the president, Congress cannot make any changes to the list. If it is not rejected, the list becomes final.

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E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com