Active army bases try to offer a rich variety of consumer goods to military personnel on site. Many serving military and their families utilize the services on base, even if they reside off base. If you are interested in contracting with army bases, get to know some army bases basics, like their locations and contracting policies.

Active army bases are not the only thriving business locations in the military branch, as defunct military bases have also been used as corporate or retail parks after closing. Military bases in the US that have closed may continue to operate under existing contracts or to realign the location with new business contracts.

To master the basics of army bases in the United States, consider the following:

1. Consult a list of army bases in the United States to find a specific base location;

2. Familiarize yourself with U.S. military policies on business contracting;

3. Get to know the business services offered at specific army bases.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a list of active army bases online

A list of army bases in the USA is available from a number of Internet sources. Locating a base near you is the first step in learning more about doing business with army bases. US army bases typically have individual base websites that are accessible from the full list, and which include basic information for businesses and military customers.

I recommend: The Army.com base directory includes all active army bases, with separate links to access other branches of the US military. The Military Zone has a single list of all active military bases, which is broken up into military branch categories.

Learn how army bases contract with businesses

US army bases provide a range of services to their military personnel, including retail and entertainment options. If your business is interested in getting involved on base, become familiar with the US government policies regarding contracting with businesses, on both active and inactive army bases.

I recommend: ACA, the Army Contracting Agency, has links for small businesses and others looking for opportunities to conduct business with the US military or the federal government. The US General Services Administration conducts contracting with the US federal government and also offers small business resources for those looking to contract with army bases.

Investigate the specific services and opportunities available at army bases near you

The most accurate and direct information about conducting business with army bases in the USA is available on the specific base websites. Army base websites often provide information for interested businesses, businesses with existing contracts and customers who utilize business services on base.

I recommend: The Fort Drum army base business and contracting page includes information about support, purchasing and acquisition of external business contracts. The MICC Center of the Fort Knox army base offers information about active solicitations and existing contracts online, as well as instructions for delivering proposals and bids.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When army bases close, many consider new options for contracting as a business, retail or research park. Stay on top of army base closings and reassignments if there are military bases in your area.

Army bases across the globe are dedicated to making a military post more than a place to work. base is a place to call home and an important part of neighboring communities. Military bases in the US offer a rich history and strong presence that contributes to the landscape as well as the economy.

Numerous opportunities exist for your business to support members of the armed services and their families at Army bases in USA. Consider taking the following steps to determine if your company can thrive at an active Army base in your area:

1. Gather resources that can help you prepare to win contract awards at American Army bases.

2. Research contracting opportunities at Army bases in the United States.

3. Submit supply, service and constructions solicitations at Army bases in the USA.

Action Steps
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Utilize resources that teach you how to get contracts at active Army bases

The Army offers several tools that educate and prepare businesses for contracting opportunities. Visit websites that tell you how to successfully win and keep a federal contract award. Also, utilize the Department of Defense's (DOD) Central Contractor Registration (CCR) databases for access to small business resources.

I recommend: Contracting Center of Excellence (CCE) offers a CCE Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE), a small business program and other resources to help you win a contract award at an Army base near you. Access the CCE Contract Process Guide to start preparing. Submit a registration in Central Contractor Registration (CCR) to access information about federal contracts and learn more about how to qualify for federal awards.

Review bidding opportunities on the websites of active Army bases

The Army Contracting Agency (ACA) consists of two regional centers and a E-commerce Center for IT and commercial items. Contact the agency about contracting opportunities and discover how your business can support members of the armed services and their families as well as areas surrounding Army military bases.

I recommend: Review the Vendor Guide and Selling to the Army handbook to learn more about the protocol for conducting business with the US Army Contracting Agency (ACA). Fort Knox Army Base is home to the Army Armor Center, the Eastern Region of the ROTC, the US Army Recruiting Command and personnel from the Army Accessions Command. Contractors on this post support the Army Armor Center, units, tenant commands and installation activities with supplies, services and construction.

Support service members and their families by contracting on active Army bases

Recruiting commands, training sites and artillery Army bases are just a few of the different types of military posts that stand strong in America. At each base you'll find a strong military support system as well as civilians that service Army bases. US military posts provide an opportunity for your company to thrive while if offers support to American troops and their families.

I recommend: Fort Carson, also known as The Mountain Post, is home to 21 units that include Brigade Combat Teams and a Special Forces Group. Visit the website for information regarding contracting opportunities, small and disadvantaged business utilization as well as a monthly Small Business Outreach Brief. Fort Drum Army Base is a training site as well as home to the 10th Mountain Division located in Watertown, New York. Visit the website to access information about construction and service supply solicitations for contractors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Download the ACA Style Guide available on the US Army Contracting Agency website to learn more about the quality and consistency needed to support the troops at Army bases.

The United States Army provides extensive training for its members via programs at various Army bases throughout the world. The training provided, with the exception of basic training, is job specific. This means that a soldier in a medical field will receive different training than a soldier in a communications field.

Finding out what programs are available at each specific Army base can present a challenge. Most Army bases have an office dedicated to helping people sift through the various programs. Consider these points about Army bases for education and training:

1. Prepare for basic training held on numerous American Army bases.

2. Focus on job specific training required for each Military Occupation Specialty (MOS).

3. Take advantage of continuing education opportunities each Army base has to offer.

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Learn about basic training provided on Army bases in USA

Every soldier, including ones stationed on Army bases in Germany or Army bases in the United States, must go through basic training. This training is Army Combat Training (ACT). This course prepares the soldiers for life during enlistment. It includes courses on sharpshooting, combat hygiene, survival tactics and hand-to-hand combat. Fort Benning, Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Sill, Fort Knox and Fort Jackson all offer ACT.

I recommend: ArmyBasic.org offers useful information for new enlistees to study prior to going to boot camp. On this website, there is also an account of what to expect during training and a list of what to bring to training. BaseOps.net offers an insider look into active Army bases that provide basic training, including Fort Benning. Army.com offers a week-by-week breakdown of the Army Combat Training Program. You can also find a list of Army bases and graduation dates for the programs there on this website.

Consider Advanced Individual Training programs on American Army bases

Once a soldier graduates from basic training, he moves on to a new training base to learn his Military Occupation Specialty, or MOS, duties. The beginning programs for every MOS are on Army Bases in United States territories. Some advanced programs are in the private sector, while others are on foreign soil.

I recommend: Today's Military provides a look into various Army careers. You can find information concerning the specific education and training provided for each job by clicking on the job title. Careers in the Military provides a look into various aspects of training and education for enlisted Army service members.

Continue your education with programs affiliated with all Army military bases

Every member of the United States Army has the right to take college level courses, either on or off base. Many of these programs are online in an effort to prevent a soldier from losing credits when he must transfer Army bases. Finding information about these programs and how to take advantage of them can prove to be a challenge. Many programs have certain requirements that the soldier must meet in order to participate.

I recommend: You can find ample information on the Army Continuing Education Program at the Installation Management Command website. This website ties into the Pentagon benefits system to give all present and former Army members accurate information. The Military Spouse Resource Center offers in depth information about different programs available for Army members and their families. You can find the information based on the regional location of the Army bases. US and overseas bases are all included in the information.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Every member of the Army can have credits for his military schooling applied toward a degree with almost any institute of higher learning. The best way to find out how to do this is to chat with the education officer. On most Army bases, that office is in the Administration building.

The U.S. Army has a language all its own, sometimes causing confusion to civilians. Contractors, manufacturers, retailers, service providers and many other companies can benefit from learning the lingo so they can improve business relations and improve transaction efficiency.

Some important key terms to learn are contracting agencies for the Army, such as the CCE and ACA; the process by which the Department of Defense reviews and reorganizes Army bases, called BRAC; and a few of the different types of military installations such as receiving bases, training centers and reserve facilities.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contracting Center of Excellence (CCE)

The Contracting Center of Excellence, or CCE, provides start-to-finish contracting and acquisition support to Department of Defense organizations, such as Army bases.

I recommend: Get specifics about the CCE from the official website.

Army Contracting Agency (ACA)

The Army Contracting Agency (ACA) is another contracting support agency for Army bases. They strive to provide the best services at the lowest cost to Army soldiers.

I recommend: Get more information on the services, customers and goals of the Army Contracting Agency (ACA).

BRAC

The U.S. Army Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) division reorganizes the structure of Army bases for efficiency. Based on military value, the division decides which bases should be closed down or realigned with other bases.

I recommend: Find out exactly how past BRAC processes have worked for Army bases at GlobalSecurity.org.

Receiving base

When an Army base is realigned by BRAC, its tasks, personnel or programs may be transferred to another base, called the receiving base.

I recommend: Get the full definition of receiving base from BRAC.

Army training bases

Training bases provide education and specialized military skills to members of the Army and other branches of the military. This training includes basic training upon joining the service and advanced training for more experienced soldiers.

I recommend: One example of an Army training base is Fort Irwin National Training Center.

Reserve centers

Army Reserve centers, also referred to as Reserve units and Reserve stations, are bases throughout the nation that train the reservists. Reservists are the part-time military members that train with the Army certain weekends and short time periods during the year. They also deploy when needed. These bases are also home to the active duty Army soldiers that are in charge of the base while the reservists are there and when they are not.

I recommend: Get more information on Army Reserve centers from the Army Reserve website.