Keeping track of information on military bases, including United States overseas military bases, can be difficult. Using the military websites kept up by the branches of service are the most appropriate way to find out about those installations.

Each branch of the service has at least one website. In order to find the most comprehensive information about the bases, you should check each of the official websites. Consider the following suggestions to help you find our United States military bases basics:

1. Check the location of United States Navy bases throughout the world.

2. Know the most current locations of United States Army bases.

3. Learn where to find United States Air Force bases.

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Find United States Naval bases anywhere in the world

The United States Marine Corps is a division of the United States Navy. As such, you may have to search the official websites of both branches to find out about the US Naval bases that house service members from these branches. Remember that ships have home ports, but at any given time, the ship may be at sea.

I recommend: The official website of the United States Navy offers a home port locator based on ship names to help you find the Navy base on which the ships are stationed. This website also has listings of bases all around the world. The United States Marine Corps official website offers detailed information about the United States Marine Corps bases around the world.

Locate United States Army bases

United States Army bases are located in various places throughout the world. Some of the bases are temporary and others are permanent. Using the official websites of the Army will help you to find the most accurate United States Army bases information.

I recommend: Army.mil is the official website of the United States Army. This website offers a convenient world map to make finding United States Army bases around the world as easy as possible. Army.com has listings of the United States Army bases throughout the world. This website offers detailed information, including phone numbers about each base.

Get the location of United States Air Force bases

Unlike bases associated with other branches of the service, United States Air Force bases are usually located in open areas away from large metropolitan areas. Finding these bases can prove to be a difficult task. Use the Air Force websites to get contact information for the base you need to contact so that if you get lost on your way to the base, you can call for directions.

I recommend: AF.mil offers a list of United States Air Force bases throughout the world, which includes a list of wings, units and groups on the bases. AirForce.com has a map of United States Air Force bases within the United States.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Military bases in the United States often have members from various branches of the service stationed on them. This is especially common for the Marine Corps and the Navy.

In the last decade or so, the United States military has shifted from a garrison military to a global expeditionary force, which has required a restructuring of US military bases. A process called Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) was enacted by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and Congress to close more than 350 excess military installations. The most recent list of bases recommended for closure was enacted in 2005 and will be implemented by 2011.

All of these base closings offer an opportunity for a savvy business owner. Decommissioned United States military bases can be a great real estate opportunities for expanding companies wishing to expand or relocate. In order to provide a fair closure and realignment process, most military departments are working with LRA's (local reuse authorities) to sell and lease surplus property:

1. Find out which bases were recently closed, or are slated for the next round of closures (approved in 2005)

2. Review where the US military has a presence by consulting the most current maps

3. Get in touch with the proper authorities to begin the process of purchasing or leasing a decommissioned base

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Familiarize yourself with US military bases that have closed or are slated for closure by 2011

The DoD BRAC page provides invaluable information for the most current round of closures, but it is also important to see what bases were closed in previous rounds. This will help you make an informed decision about which base locations would work best for you and your business.

I recommend: Read all the latest news about BRAC 2005 at the United States Department of Defense. Review the bases closed in earlier commissions at GlobalSecurity.org.

Become aware of the locations of United States overseas military bases, as well as local

There are a number of resources available to bring you up to speed on the locations of US military bases. You can see where we have bases now, and get a good idea the types of locations the military typically chooses.

I recommend: Review the names and websites of the 440 military bases in the United States at National Army Security Agency Association. This includes United States naval bases, United States Air Force bases, US Army bases and even bases housing the USMC. Browse overseas and US installation maps at Military.com (you can even browse base locations by service).

Consult the local LRA for information on military bases for lease or sale

Going through the proper channels is a vital aspect in leasing or purchasing decommissioned bases of any kind, whether they are US naval bases, Army bases, or Air Force bases. Be sure to contact the local reuse authorities to start the process.

I recommend: The Government Printing Office offers the GPO Access service, which allows you to searchable record which list the stated LRA's for each base. Search Volume 71 for "LRA Name," and you will retrieve a list of LRA's that have placed their notifications in the Federal Register. Scribd offers a reprint of one of the Federal Registers listing LRA Names as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Reusing a military base has its benefits, but there are definitely certain things to be aware of. Most installations need environmental remediation, with buildings built to outdated code standards, or other prohibitive environmental hazards. Previous policy stated that transfer of land could not be completed until remediation was complete, but statute changes now allow the transfer as long as there is a responsible, fully funded environmental plan in place.

One of the great advantages of being stationed at United States military bases is that you get to take advantage of great education programs. The education you receive is usually provided at no cost to you since you have dedicated yourself to serving your country. There are also tuition assistance programs available for those who take courses while not on active duty.

Many programs are available in the United States as well as at bases overseas. Some are even available on floating bases. While some of these are programs run by the military, many of them are actually satellite campuses of well-known universities. Consider the following when you're stationed on United States military bases:

1. Take classes at satellite campuses on base. Even United States foreign military bases have programs available.

2. Consider enrolling in online classes. Military bases in the United States have high-tech computer centers for those who prefer to take courses online.

3. Enroll in classes at a nearby university while stationed on base. The military provides great tuition assistance programs so most of your costs will be taken care of.

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Take advantage of education at United States Army military bases

Most US Army bases have satellite campuses on-site. This makes it easy for you to attend the classes you choose. You also have the option of learning online or attending a nearby university. Those enlisted in the National Guard have the same opportunities to learn.

I recommend: Consider taking classes at one of the many satellite campuses located at United States Army bases. Also check out the different programs available through the United States Army National Guard.

Enroll in programs at United States Marine or United States Air Force bases

Although in some cases, soldiers in the Marines and Air Force are stationed on floating bases and aircraft carriers, there are still a variety of educational programs available. Those stationed on land in the United States have even more opportunities to choose from.

I recommend: Take classes at the United States Marine Corps College of Continuing Education, which has satellite campuses in the United States, Japan and Korea. The U.S. Air Force has a variety of two-year degrees available for its enlisted men and women.

Obtain training at US naval bases and Coast Guard facilities

United States naval bases and Coast Guard centers have a variety of educational opportunities available. Many of these center around nautical careers but they do offer more traditional training programs as well. Even those who are stationed on floating bases have the opportunity to learn.

I recommend: The Naval Education and Training Command offers a multitude of education opportunities, including officer training programs and college degree programs. Choose an education program at the United States Coast Guard; there are programs focused around engineering and sea vessels as well as health services and information technology.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you're thinking about getting United States military bases education and training, consider the direction you want your career to go. You can definitely use this education to further your military career, but you can also choose a traditional degree program that you can use if you decide to leave the military.

The United States military operates hundreds of bases inside the United States. When getting information on and doing business with military base personnel, some key terms will come up that aren't common in civilian business operations. In fact, the military has a vocabulary all their own, even with regards to installations and bases.

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Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)

Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) refers to the commission that determines which military installations are restructured, reorganized and closed due to the needs and budget of the Department of Defense (DoD). Commission meetings are established when needed and terminated as soon as analysis, suggestions and reports have been finalized and passed on to the President of the United States.

I recommend: Get more information on the purpose, mission and goals of BRAC.

Homeports

A homeport is the base/port that a military ship and crew counts as their onshore residence. Usually, this refers to the base where the vessel's crew spends the most time when onshore.

I recommend: See a list of homeports for United States Navy ships.

Forward deployed

Forward deployed refers to the deployment of military personnel and equipment from the base where they are stationed into a temporary location for a mission, training exercise or operation.

I recommend: Get more thorough information regarding forward deployment at the Congressional Budget Office.

Unit directory or base locator

Many websites, both official and unofficial, offer an online tool, sometimes called a unit directory or base locator, to find military bases by using different criteria.

I recommend: Check out the U.S. Marine Corps unit directory. The U.S. Air Force also has a base locator on its website.

Detachments

A military detachment is a small unit, usually smaller than a battalion, either detached from a larger unit or standing on its own, serving a specific function. Detachment sometimes refers to a unit assigned to a different military base than its parent unit.

I recommend: Read about Marine Corp Detachment (MCD) Fort Lee, VA for more insight into military detachments.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) refers to an active duty military servicemember relocating from one military base to another for permanent duty.

I recommend: Get a spouse's perspective on PCS at Military Spouse.