The Most Popular Army Base, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the army base you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 4, 2024 06:29
For families and friends of military personnel, choosing where to visit or relocate can often feel like a shot in the dark. Each army base has its unique culture, amenities, and surrounding community, which can greatly influence their experience. By ranking these bases, we help provide clarity through the shared experiences and opinions of others who have been directly connected to these places.
This dynamic ranking adjusts with every vote, reflecting real-time shifts in preferences and insights. Whether you’re a new recruit trying to get a sense of where you might be stationed, a family looking to find the best living environment, or just someone curious about military bases, your vote helps paint a more accurate picture of what each base has to offer.
What Is the Most Popular Army Base?
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1103votes
Fort Bragg
United States ArmyLocated in North Carolina, Fort Bragg is the largest US Army base in the world, with a population of over 50,000 soldiers and civilians. It is home to the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82nd Airborne Division.Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation located in North Carolina. It is the largest military base in terms of population and covers approximately 251 square miles. The base is named after Braxton Bragg, a Confederate General during the American Civil War.- Location: North Carolina, USA
- Size: 251 square miles
- Population: Over 50,000 active duty personnel
- Branch: United States Army
- Established: 1918
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216votes
Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk · Public domainLocated in Texas, Fort Hood is one of the largest military installations in the world, with a population of over 45,000 soldiers and civilians. It is home to the III Corps and the 1st Cavalry Division.Fort Hood is a United States Army post located in Killeen, Texas. It is one of the largest military installations in the world and the largest active-duty armored post in the United States. Fort Hood is named after the Confederate General John Bell Hood.- Location: Killeen, Texas
- Size: 214,000 acres
- Units stationed: Approximately 36,500 soldiers
- Mission: Home to multiple units and organizations, functioning as a major deployment site and training center
- Training facilities: Multiple firing ranges, live-fire shoot houses, and simulators
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319votes
Fort Benning
The United States ArmyLocated in Georgia, Fort Benning is the US Army Infantry School and is home to the Maneuver Center of Excellence. It has a population of over 35,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Benning is a United States Army base located near Columbus, Georgia. It was named after Henry L. Benning, a Confederate general during the American Civil War. The base covers an area of approximately 182,000 acres and serves as the home of the United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence, which trains soldiers in infantry and armor skills.- Location: Columbus, Georgia
- Named After: Henry L. Benning
- Area: 182,000 acres
- Home of: United States Army Maneuver Center of Excellence
- Training Focus: Infantry and Armor skills
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423votes
United States Geological Survey (USGS) · Public domainJoint Base Lewis-McChord
United States ArmyLocated in Washington State, Joint Base Lewis-McChord is home to the I Corps, the 62nd Airlift Wing, and the 446th Airlift Wing. It has a population of over 55,000 soldiers and civilians.Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a military installation located in Washington State, United States. It is the largest military base on the West Coast of the U.S. and one of the most significant Army bases in the country. The joint base was established in 2010 through the merger of Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base, combining Army and Air Force operations in one location. Joint Base Lewis-McChord serves as a key training and deployment center for various military units and supports a wide range of missions and operations.- Location: Washington State, United States
- Year Established: 2010
- Components: Fort Lewis, McChord Air Force Base
- Branches Supported: United States Army, United States Air Force
- Size: Approximately 415,000 acres
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56votes
Fish Cop · Public domainFort Carson
United States ArmyLocated in Colorado, Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division and the 10th Special Forces Group. It has a population of over 25,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Carson is a United States Army installation located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It serves as a spearhead for the Army's transformation initiatives and is one of the most popular army bases in the country.- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Size: 137,000 acres
- Established: 1942
- Operated by: United States Army
- Primary function: Training and deployment center
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611votes
Sgt. Paula Taylor · Public domainFort Bliss
Established by the U.S. ArmyLocated in Texas, Fort Bliss is home to the 1st Armored Division and the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command. It has a population of over 30,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Bliss is a United States Army installation located in El Paso, Texas. It is one of the largest and busiest military complexes in the country, catering to a wide range of military operations and training activities.- Location: El Paso, Texas
- Size: 1,700 square miles
- Population: Approximately 38,000 military personnel, 13,000 civilians, and 6,000 contractors
- Branches stationed: Primarily the U.S. Army, but also supports the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard
- Training facilities: Various training areas and ranges for infantry, armor, artillery, and aviation units
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715votes
Darz Mol · Public domainLocated in Kentucky, Fort Campbell is home to the 101st Airborne Division and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. It has a population of over 30,000 soldiers and civilians. -
89votes
John Coffman · Public domainLocated in Kentucky, Fort Knox is home to the US Army Armor Center and the US Army Recruiting Command. It has a population of over 10,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Knox is a United States Army base located in Kentucky. It gained prominence as a storage facility for gold reserves and is now primarily used as a training center for new recruits. Fort Knox is known as one of the most secure military bases in the world due to its state-of-the-art security systems and protocols.- Location: Kentucky, United States
- Primary Function: Training center for new recruits
- Secondary Function: Storage facility for gold reserves
- Security Level: High
- Security Systems: State-of-the-art
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910votesLocated in Virginia, Fort Lee is the US Army Combined Arms Support Command and is home to the Army Logistics University. It has a population of over 25,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Lee is a United States Army post located in Prince George County, Virginia. It serves as the Army's Home of Sustainment and is an important logistics training center.
- Location: Prince George County, Virginia
- Established: 1917
- Type: Army base
- Size: 6,000 acres
- Motto: Trained and Ready!
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109votes
US Army. Fred the Oyster · Public domainFort Leonard Wood
United States ArmyLocated in Missouri, Fort Leonard Wood is home to the US Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and the US Army Engineer School. It has a population of over 10,000 soldiers and civilians.Fort Leonard Wood is a United States Army base located in the Ozarks region of Missouri. It serves as a training installation for the United States Army Military Police Corps, Chemical Corps, and Engineer Corps. Established in 1940, the base covers an area of approximately 61,000 acres.- Location: Missouri, United States
- Established: 1940
- Size: 61,000 acres
- Primary Purpose: Military training
- Military Police Corps Training: Provides training for the United States Army Military Police Corps
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Ranking factors for popular army base
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SizeThe area of the base and the number of personnel it accommodates.
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LocationGeographical location, accessibility, proximity to important military and civil infrastructures, and the surrounding environment (urban or remote).
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FacilitiesAvailability of essential facilities, such as housing, medical, recreational, and educational services for military personnel and their families.
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Training facilitiesThe quality, variety, and availability of training facilities and resources, such as firing ranges, simulators, and exercise fields.
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Strategic importanceThe role and prominence of the base in national defense and military strategy, including mission-specific capabilities.
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Operational capabilityThe number and types of units, the equipment, and the capacity for deployment and support of operations.
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Historical significanceThe base's history, including any notable past missions or events that have contributed to its overall reputation and popularity.
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Community relationsThe relationship between the base and the local community, including economic impact, partnerships, and public support.
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Quality of lifeGeneral satisfaction of military personnel and their families with living and working conditions at the base, including safety, available resources, and overall morale.
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Public recognitionThe level of awareness, reputation, and esteem of the base in the public eye, including media attention and positive or negative perceptions.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular army base. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or base is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1917 views
- 220 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each base once every 24 hours. The rank of each base is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular army base
Army bases have been an integral part of military life for centuries, serving as training grounds, administrative centers, and deployment hubs for soldiers all around the world. With so many bases spread out across different countries and regions, it can be challenging to determine which one is the most popular among military personnel and their families.
Factors that can influence the popularity of an army base include its location, amenities, quality of housing, and local community support. Some bases may be known for their exceptional facilities, such as state-of-the-art training centers or top-tier medical facilities. Others may be favored for their proximity to major cities or natural attractions.
Regardless of the reasons behind their popularity, army bases play a vital role in the lives of military personnel and their families. From providing a sense of community and camaraderie to offering essential support services, these bases are essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of our armed forces.
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