Picking the Best US Army Bases can be tough, especially with a family. You want a place with good schools, safe neighborhoods, and things to do. But it’s hard to know what to expect when you’re getting ready for a PCS move.
Luckily, there are plenty of resources to help military families find their perfect base. From official sites to online forums, you can get all the information you need. Whether you want outdoor fun, great schools, or big-city excitement, the Best US Army Bases have it all.
Table of Contents:
- Best US Army Bases: Location, Location, Location
- Beyond Location: Other Key Factors
- Best US Army Bases: Alaska, The Last Frontier.
- Challenges for New Soldiers Choosing Bases
- Army Recruiting Faces a New Challenge
- FAQs About Best US Army Bases
- Conclusion
Best US Army Bases: Location, Location, Location
First, think about what’s important to you. Do you want to live near beautiful beaches, or is being close to nature more your style? Do you need easy access to city life? Each of the Best US Army Bases is close to cool towns or cities. This gives your family more choices for jobs, entertainment, and education. Plus, exploring different parts of the US is a cool perk of military life.
Fort Carson, Colorado
If your family is outdoorsy, Fort Carson in Colorado could be a great choice. Imagine having access to year-round temperate climate activities. Picture hiking, skiing, and all that Rocky Mountain beauty. Plus, Fort Carson’s population is 80% families with kids under 18, according to Military OneSource. This makes for a super family-friendly environment.
Kids can even go to one of the four on-site elementary schools or middle school. There’s also a bus for high schoolers to get to Fountain-Fort Carson High School. The medical recruiting battalion is also a significant source of employment in this area.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
Love the Pacific Northwest? Joint Base Lewis-McChord is near Seattle, and Tacoma, Washington. This means easy access to tons of family fun, great schools, and cultural attractions.
This base is home to both Army and Air Force families. It offers the chance to explore gorgeous national parks and stunning scenery. Think Mount Rainier National Park just a day trip away. The base’s Military OneSource profile highlights a range of recreational opportunities, making it great for adventurous families. Plus, if a trip to Canada sounds fun, this is your base.
Fort Belvoir, Virginia
Right outside Washington D.C., this Best US Army Base, offers awesome healthcare facilities, and some of the best schools in the country. When it comes to museums, historical spots, and cool places to explore, you can’t beat the nation’s capital. Plus, the base has lots of on-site recreation options. So, there’s something for everyone.
Fort Belvoir also provides military spouses with abundant job opportunities thanks to its proximity to D.C. This could be your spot if career options are important to your family. Military OneSource also highlights Fort Belvoir’s strong veteran community for families seeking long-term support.
Fort Cavazos, Texas
Fort Cavazos, formerly known as Fort Hood, is the largest US Army Base. While you’ll find many job options and training facilities here, keep in mind its past struggles. In April 2020, Spc. Vanessa Guillén was sexually harassed and killed here.
The Army’s handling of this case showed problems with the treatment of women and transparency. Several Army officials were fired, and the base experienced national outcry for how they handled things. Even federal laws for military criminal justice were changed because of this. This case also led to a Netflix documentary. While Fort Cavazos may be convenient, do your research to determine if it is right for your family.
Beyond Location: Other Key Factors
Choosing among the Best US Army Bases means thinking about more than location.
Support and Community
Support is vital for military families. Military OneSource makes it super easy to get info on each base, from local schools to financial help. They also offer secure live chat, and you can call 800-342-9647.
You can get tons of support from other military spouses at any of the Best US Army Bases. Plus, there are always events and programs going on, like family-friendly events, family fun days, and holiday parties.
Schools and Education
You’ll learn more about each base’s school district on Military OneSource, too. Some posts have schools right on base. Other bases work with local school districts to get military kids the education they deserve.
You’ll also find colleges and universities close to the Best US Army Bases. This is perfect for those wanting higher education opportunities or spouses looking to advance their careers.
Cost of Living
Living costs can vary a lot across US Army Bases. Think about housing, food, and other stuff. It’s always good to check online resources to find out more about the local cost of living and budget accordingly.
Best US Army Bases: Alaska, The Last Frontier.
We need to give some special attention to a spot that’s gaining popularity – Alaska. It might be unexpected, but many soldiers are asking for a first assignment at Fort Wainwright and Fort Richardson in Alaska. In 2022, almost 900 new soldiers chose Alaska. This means almost 15% of those in the choice program picked this unique location. Fort Wainwright, by the way, is a short drive to the Arctic Circle – a bucket-list destination for sure.
The 11th Airborne Division was reactivated at Fort Wainwright in June of 2022 after almost 60 years. The division’s mission focuses on cold-weather, and mountain operations. The Association of the United States Army notes that there were 11,600 soldiers at this Alaska Base after the reactivation. Plus, the Army is always hiring there, so if Alaska sounds cool, give it a chance.
Why the Big Alaska Love?
Well, people crave adventure, and breathtaking scenery, and Alaska is the place. Think mountains, glaciers, wildlife. But, getting stationed there isn’t just about being a nature enthusiast. Alaska’s a great chance to build tight-knit friendships, explore a different culture, and step out of your comfort zone.
Family Life in Alaska
Don’t worry, the Best US Army Bases in Alaska aren’t all remote wilderness. There are good schools and activities for families. The Far North Bicentennial Park near Fort Wainwright, has over 80 playgrounds for your little ones, amazing cross-country skiing in the winter, and places to go fishing in the warmer months.
Plus, if you want a super unique Alaskan experience, you and the family can head to the start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Watch those mushers take off on a journey across the Alaskan landscape. Don’t worry, there are all the stores, restaurants, and services you’d expect close to a base too.
Challenges for New Soldiers Choosing Bases
When soldiers were first given choices for where they were stationed, two bases got no votes – Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, and Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. But, these are huge training bases. These locations have specific roles in Army education and training. Fort Leavenworth is a hub for preparing soldiers for leadership and complex operations.
More than 80,000 service members and civilians move through Fort Leonard Wood’s various training facilities every year. These important locations might not have gotten picked, but it wasn’t because of any faults with the base.
These two bases, and several others were eventually added to the “choice” program, and things changed. Smaller bases only offer certain types of jobs, which makes it harder for new soldiers to be placed there. When there are only a few specific job openings at a small base, there just aren’t many soldiers in those roles available to fill the vacancies. A new soldier only gets to pick a base if their type of work, their Military Occupational Specialty, has open slots. This limits choices.
Finding the Right Fit: Factors Beyond Just Your MOS
Finding the Best US Army Base is more than finding a place that matches your MOS, though. Army life in places like Fort Bragg in North Carolina might involve a high deployment tempo. Other installations are considered desirable.
Places like Hawaii, and Europe usually have long waiting lists. The US Army’s choice program helps to recruit soldiers, but finding the right fit is still important.
Army Recruiting Faces a New Challenge
Here’s the deal: Getting people to join the Army right now is hard. The labor market is super competitive, and many folks just don’t want a military career. The U.S. Army Recruiting Command says finding qualified recruits is tough. They have fewer people willing to enlist now than any time since the all-volunteer force started back in the 1970s. A big reason is qualifications. Today, 71% of young adults can’t qualify to serve. That’s because of stuff like health issues, weight problems, drug use, criminal records, and even low scores on tests. It’s made getting new people to join a serious challenge.
Bonuses and Incentives: Addressing Recruitment Headwinds
To overcome these challenges the Army got creative. They started offering huge enlistment bonuses. New recruits can get up to $50,000 for certain jobs, but you have to commit to six years of service. Before 2022 the biggest bonus a soldier could get was $40,000. The Army’s also trying other things to attract talent. That’s where their “Duty Station of Choice” program comes in.
The program began with 17 different types of Army jobs. When it started in late 2021 there were about 5,600 jobs available across those 17 different military occupational specialties, or MOSes. Over the past couple of years, the program expanded, and the Army continues to adapt.
FAQs About Best US Army Bases
What is the nicest U.S. Army base?
Determining the “nicest” Army base is subjective and depends on your preferences. However, consistently ranked highly for quality of life, amenities, and family-friendliness are bases like Fort Carson (Colorado), Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Washington), and Fort Belvoir (Virginia). Factors like nearby cities, schools, on-base facilities, and cost of living all contribute to a base’s appeal.
What is the greatest Army base in the world?
Again, the “greatest” is debatable. But if you’re looking at size, facilities, and global impact, some might argue that Fort Bragg, NC, home to the 82nd Airborne, Special Forces, and other major units, takes the cake. But that greatness comes at a price as a high operations tempo and deployment rates are frequent.
Which branch has the nicest bases?
This question leads to passionate debates. All branches offer nice bases with differing advantages. The Air Force often scores high marks for its family-friendly installations and excellent housing. Coastal living with the Navy or the beautiful locales favored by the Marines have a distinct appeal. But again, what’s nicest is up to the individual.
What is the main U.S. Army base?
The US Army doesn’t have one “main” base. There are several important installations based on their purpose and size. The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia serves as headquarters. Other bases have major roles for training like Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Installations like Fort Bragg are major power projection platforms. Each US Army Base serves a critical function in overall operations and readiness.
Conclusion
The quest to find the Best US Army Bases involves a bit more than just checking out pictures online. Location, support services, school options, and cost of living – it all plays a part. But finding the perfect spot for your family doesn’t stop with your MOS or great schools. Do your homework and get a feel for what life is really like at the base you’re thinking about. Talk to other military families, use online resources, and explore your options. I wish you all the best as you make your decision, it is a big one.
