From Naval Base San Diego to Yokosuka Naval Base, Sailors are busy with various activities, including community service, protecting US interests and military ceremonies. Staying up to date on all of these activities can be a difficult task, unless you know the most comprehensive sources of information.

Consider the following suggestions to stay current on naval bases news and trends throughout the world, including rules, regulations, activities and other programs.

1. Stay on top of activities happening on naval bases throughout the world, regardless of your location.

2. Take advantage of programs to help make the transition to a new base as easy as possible.

3. Find out about news and information regarding contractors working for and on base.

Action Steps
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Keep track of activities happening on United States Naval bases

If you are in the Navy or have family members in the Navy, you probably want to know what is happening on various naval bases. Fortunately, the United States Navy has a varied selection of resources to help you stay up to date on all the activities happening on any Navy base, including Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Great Lakes Naval Base RTC, Great Lakes Naval Base NTC, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Base Coronado and Diego Garcia Naval Base.

I recommend: You can stay up to date on all the upcoming and latest events on US Navy bases around the world by visiting the US Navy official website. This website has RSS feed and podcast subscriptions as well as copies of All Hands that date back to 1997 for full magazines and as far back as 1922 for selected articles. You can find a wealth of Navy MWR (morale, welfare and recreation) information and links to US Naval base resources on CNIC.

Find the information to help you transition to a new Navy base

Being transferred to a new US Navy base is a difficult transition, especially if you have to transition with a family or over a long distance. The Navy has numerous tools and programs to help you with the transition, even when you have to report before your quarters are ready for you to move into.

I recommend: The Navy Lodge offers temporary housing options for the time you have to transition to a new US Navy base. This website offers articles to help you think of all the little things to make the transition more comfortable for you and your entire family, including kids and pets. Military HOMEFRONT is a DOD sponsored website dedicated to helping Sailors and their families relocate to Naval and non-Naval bases around the world.

Learn the requirements for contractors on United States Navy bases

Everyone on a US Naval base, including civilian and government contractors has to follow certain rules. Staying up to date on the rules and requirements enables you to stay in good graces with the base administration.

I recommend: The United Stated Department of Labor maintains up to date information regarding the rights of civilian contractors working on US Navy bases around the world. NAVSEA offers up to the minute information for civilian contractors with the US Navy and Air Force. This website features a bulletin section that is accessible with valid DUNS and MPIN numbers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When you report to a new US Navy base, check your base information packet for the base website address. This will help you to find out interesting facts about your new home.

A navy base is more than just a military base that houses soldiers. It is a large facility that houses thousands of personnel, the largest military vehicles and equipment, training facilities and defense security for the United States. They can act as our country's first line of defense by protecting our waters and borders from any threats.

Although all of the United States Navy Bases, and those located around the world, are important to the US Navy as a whole, some stand out from others. These facilities have special qualities that make them unique.

1. Guantanamo Bay Naval Base stands out for its location.

2. Norfolk Naval Base stands out for its size.

3. Naval Base Coronado stands out for its training facilities.

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Find information on Guantanamo Bay Naval Base

Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, or GTMO, is located in the southeast corner of Cuba. It's the oldest US naval base overseas. It contains two distinct areas: the airfield and the main base. There are many separate commands, including a naval hospital, Naval Atlantic Meteorologic and Oceanographic Command, a naval communications station and Department of Defense Dependent Schools.

I recommend: Military.com offers a search for GITMO facilities, a contact list and an overview of GITMO.

Find information on Norfolk Naval Base

Norfolk Naval Base is the world's largest Naval Station. It houses 78 ships and 133 aircraft. It is homeport to aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers and other large naval ships. The base made history on July 2, 1997, when the Navy's newest Nimitz class carrier, the USS John C. Stennis, returned to port and joined the USS George Washington, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Enterprise and the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, making it the first time five nuclear carriers were at port at the same time.

I recommend: The Center for Land Use Interpretation (CLUI) provides a map and contact information for Norfolk Naval Base. The US Navy offers base information, contacts and links to areas of the base.

Find information for Naval Base Coronado

Naval Base Coronado is located across the bay from San Diego, CA. It's a major shore command and is the West Coast site for special and expeditionary warfare training and operations. It is also a Naval Amphibious Base (NAB), and is the home of the Navy SEAL team.

I recommend: Navy.Mil provides stories, news and contact information for Naval Base Coronado. Trackpads.com provides information about the Base, including contacts, tours, support centers, family housing and bachelor housing.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To find out more information about the Naval Recruit Training Command (NRTC), read about Great Lakes Naval Base, which is the central processing center for naval recruits.

United States Navy bases provide facilities where new recruits, enlisted personnel and officers can get education and training. The type of training the US Naval base offers may depend on its location. For example, an officer training as a naval flight officer may not be at a base near water.

While most of naval bases education and training takes place on navy bases, there are some bases that cross train personnel for different branches of the services. When you want to learn more about the education opportunities, you might want to consider the following options.

1. Explore the history of naval bases and the educational programs they offer.

2. Consider the most probable location for training at a navy base near your area.

3. Find out what advance training options navy bases offer.

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Get information on the organizations in charge of navy base training

The Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) oversees the educational training programs for the Navy. It is among the largest shore-based commands for the Navy in the United States. Its programs include training for new recruits and for specialized skills.

I recommend: Learn more about the function of CNET at GlobalSecurity.org, which provides an overview. You can also browse its website for more information on naval bases education and training. The Naval Education and Training Command Web Portal provides links to the different programs available under CNET.

Start your career with training at navy bases

Before you begin active duty, you'll have to undergo basic training. Usually this takes place at a naval amphibious base, so you get experience in the water. Even if you plan to advance your career with advanced training programs, you can expect to start off with all the other new recruits.

I recommend: The Naval Station Great Lakes, also called the Great Lakes Naval Base, provides new recruit training. The website for the Navy provides information on the training programs a new recruit can expect to undergo. It also provides an overview of life in the Navy.

Learn about naval bases that provide naval air training

The Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) oversees the training of naval aviation. Basic training begins at Pensacola, which is the home of the Blue Angels. In some cases, a naval flight officer may train at Vance Air Force Base, which specializes in training joint branches of the service.

I recommend: Learn the history of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, which still trains naval flight officers, at National Park Service. Mybaseguide provides information about the base for students reporting for education and training. Find out more about Vance Air Force Base by visiting its website.

Naval bases are home to a wide range of personnel and military equipment, and fall into a wide range of station types, such as the Naval Air Station. Naval bases are typically staffed by both military personnel and civilians who provide day-to-day services, as well as contracted expertise. In both operational and retired Naval bases, visitors are often able to see historic and current military ships and aircraft used by the US Navy. Review some key terms for Naval bases and the military vessels they contain to help you better understand bases and their operations.

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Aircraft carrier

The aircraft carrier, a large ship with an aircraft landing strip, is a staple of US Naval bases. Aircraft carriers contain specialized components that assist aircraft in landing safely in a constricted amount of space, as well as highly trained personnel.

I recommend: Read more about the aircraft carrier from the US Navy.

Destroyer

The destroyer is a type of ship used by the US Navy to engage in surface combat at sea. Destroyer ships contain a wide range of weaponry and defensive mechanisms for detecting and engaging with both submarine and surface vessels.

I recommend: The Federation of American Scientists offers additional definitions and information for the latest models of destroyer ships.

Hellcat

The Hellcat was a type of aircraft used by the US Navy in World War II, designed to be superior to the Japanese Zero. Because of their iconic appearance, Hellcat aircraft often are placed on display at military museums and Naval bases that offer public tours.

I recommend: Read more about the definition and history of the Hellcat from Ace Pilots.

Higgins boat

The Higgins boat, also known as an LCVP or Landing Craft Vehicles and Personnel, is one of the first amphibious vehicles used by the US Navy. The Higgins boat was designed to land personnel directly on the shoreline. Like the Hellcat, existing Higgins boats today draw many visitors to US Naval bases where they are on display.

I recommend: For a concise definition and specifications of the Higgins boat, or LCVP, consult the Saving Private Ryan Online Encyclopedia.

Naval Air Station

A Naval Air Station, or NAS, is a land base that serves as a master station for squadrons of Naval aircraft. Naval Air Stations are typically established in tactical air strike or defense locations and work in conjunction with other nearby Naval bases.

I recommend: Global Security provides further definition and explanation of how a Naval Air Station is used by the US Navy.

Naval district

A Naval district is defined as a given geographical area presided over by the command of a single Naval officer. A Naval district may contain several Naval bases, as well as different types of bases, technical stations or intelligence centers.

I recommend: Military Schools provides a concise definition of Naval district in its military glossary.