In times of rising geopolitical tensions across the globe, it pays off to have a strong military like the United States. The U.S. military is considered the best on the planet not just because it is the highest funded military, but also because it is one of the best trained across all of its branches.
From the Army to the Coast Guard and the Space Force, the U.S. military has a comprehensive training program in place. There are different tiers of training for different operational units such as the Green Berets or Navy SEALs.
To determine where the U.S. military trains its forces across all branches, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed information on Military OneSource, a Department of Defense-funded information resource for members of the armed services. We listed the military bases alphabetically and included the training conducted at each base and for which branch. There are multiple bases where a wide variety of training occurs and others where it is similar training but at different locations.
Some of the military installations on the list house multiple training facilities for multiple units and even multiple military branches. For instance, some units need to complete pararescue training, which is a prerequisite for more specialized operators so there is some crossover training between units at certain bases. (Also see, the largest military base in each state.)
Similarly, basic training for the Army is spread across multiple bases because of the sheer number of recruits. The same goes for the Marine Corps. However, just because these recruits may train in different bases does not mean they are receiving different training. In fact, practically all of basic training is standardized down to the day for whatever set duration each branch requires. (Here is what it takes to be in 16 of America’s elite military forces.)
Here’s a look at where the U.S. trains its military:
Source: marine_corps / Flickr
Camp Geiger, North Carolina
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Infantry Training Battalion: 59 days
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Source: yoh4nn / Getty Images
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Marine Raiders Training: 9 months
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Source: David McNew / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Camp Pendleton, California
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Marine Combat Training Battalion: 29 days; Force Recon Training: 9 weeks
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Cape May, New Jersey
>Branch: Coast Guard
>Type of training: Basic Training: 8 weeks
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Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
>Branch: Air Force
>Type of training: Air Force Special Operations Weathermen Training: 138 weeks
Source: Jessica McGowan / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Fort Benning, Georgia
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: Basic Training: 10 weeks
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Source: Melissa Sue Gerrits / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Fort Bragg, North Carolina
>Branch: Army, Air Force
>Type of training: Army Green Berets Training: 61 weeks; Delta Force Training: 6 months; Air Force Pararescue Specialists Training: 70 weeks
Source: Luke Sharrett / Getty Images News via Getty Images
Fort Campbell, Kentucky
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: SOAR Night Stalkers Training: 6 weeks
Source: Stocktrek Images / Getty Images
Fort Jackson, South Carolina
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: Basic Training: 10 weeks
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Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
Fort Knox, Kentucky
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: Basic Training: 10 weeks
Source: tradoc / Flickr
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: Basic Training: 10 weeks
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Source: mj0007 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Fort Sill, Oklahoma
>Branch: Army
>Type of training: Basic Training: 10 weeks
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Great Lakes, Illinois
>Branch: Navy
>Type of training: Basic Training: 7 weeks
Source: imcom / Flickr
Joint Base San Antonio
>Branch: Space Force
>Type of training: Basic Training: 6 weeks
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Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
>Branch: Air Force
>Type of training: Basic Training: 8-and-a-half weeks; Air Force Combat Controller Training: 94 weeks
Source: marine_corps / Flickr
Marine Corps Recruit Depot in Parris Island, South Carolina
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Basic Training: 12 weeks
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Source: Sandy Huffaker / Getty Images
Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Basic Training: 12 weeks
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Naval Special Warfare Training Center Coronado, California
>Branch: Navy
>Type of training: Navy SEALs Training: 12+ months
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island
>Branch: Navy
>Type of training: Navy Officer Candidate School Training: 13 weeks
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Source: Edward Palm / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Quantico, Virginia
>Branch: Marine Corps
>Type of training: Marine Officer Candidate School Training: 6 months
Source: Cheri Alguire / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona
>Branch: Air Force
>Type of training: Air Force Pararescue Specialists Training: 70 weeks
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