As one of the world’s most sizable militaries, the United States has a presence extending to just about every region. With more than 1.3 million active-duty troops, the US has to build and maintain extensive military bases to accommodate not just soldiers but also weapons, equipment, gear, and, sometimes, families.
26. Nellis AFB, Nevada
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 10,168 (89.2% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 21,937
- Service branch: Air Force
- Location: 8 miles from Las Vegas
25. Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 10,222 (21.5% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 21,697
- Service branch: Navy
- Location: 6 miles from Honolulu
24. Mayport NAVSTA, Florida
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 10,442 (15.7% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 25,013
- Service branch: Navy
- Location: 10 miles from Jacksonville
23. Fort Sam Houston, Texas
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 10,721 (8.8% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 25,655
- Service branch: Army
- Location: San Antonio
22. Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 11,140 (39.8% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 26,041
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 15 miles from Baltimore
21. Fort Gordon, Georgia
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 11,220 (16.5% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 25,636
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 12 miles from Augusta
20. Fort Jackson, South Carolina
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 11,545 (28.4% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 20,589
- Service branch: Army
- Location: Columbia
19. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 12,218 (72.3% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 23,479
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 85 miles from Springfield
18. Fort Sill, Oklahoma
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 13,310 (59.2% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 26,189
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 90 miles from Oklahoma City
17. Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 15,057 (31.7% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 34,022
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 20 miles from Honolulu
16. Fort Drum, New York
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 15,195 (74.7% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 32,011
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 8 miles from Watertown
15. Fort Riley, Kansas
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 15,214 (69.8% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 33,295
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 50 miles from Topeka
14. Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 15,726 (72.8% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 21,875
- Service branch: Navy
- Location: 30 miles from Chicago
13. Fort Stewart, Georgia
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 19,476 (28.6% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 45,302
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 35 miles from Savannah
12. Lackland AFB, Texas
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 22,220 (18.2% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 42,521
- Service branch: Air Force
- Location: 5 miles from San Antonio
11. Fort Benning, Georgia
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 24,305 (35.7% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 46,785
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 5 miles from Columbus
10. Fort Carson, Colorado
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 24,520 (68.4% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 57,473
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 6 miles from Colorado Springs
9. Fort Bliss, Texas
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 26,100 (21.3% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 60,307
- Service branch: Army
- Location: El Paso
8. Fort Lewis, Washington
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 26,512 (44.6% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 62,831
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 12 miles from Tacoma
7. Fort Campbell, Kentucky
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 26,824 (83.1% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 62,977
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 50 miles from Nashville
6. San Diego NAVSTA, California
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 32,983 (20.0% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 66,557
- Service branch: Navy
- Location: San Diego
5. Fort Hood, Texas
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 36,697 (30.0% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 83,815
- Service branch: Army
- Location: Killeen
4. Camp Lejeune MCB, North Carolina
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 38,706 (37.1% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 72,106
- Service branch: Marine Corps
- Location: 3 miles from Jacksonville
3. Camp Pendleton, California
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 39,690 (24.0% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 70,700
- Service branch: Marine Corps
- Location: 35 miles from San Diego
2. Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 45,055 (43.2% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 109,101
- Service branch: Army
- Location: 10 miles from Fayetteville
1. Norfolk Naval Base, Virginia
- Active-duty personnel stationed at base: 47,368 (37.5% of mil. personnel in state)
- All personnel assigned to base, incl. military family members: 100,893
- Service branch: Navy
- Location: Norfolk
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