10 MILITARY INSTALLATION GUIDES SERVICEMEMBERS TURNED TO MOST IN 2025

Duty stations shape far more than daily commutes. They influence professional development, family stability, access to care, and long-term readiness. Throughout 2025, MyBaseGuide readers consistently returned to the same installations—places where the mission remained clear, support systems functioned reliably, and servicemembers could realistically sustain the pace of military life.

This ranking reflects where mission relevance, quality of life, and institutional support aligned in ways that mattered most to those living and working behind the gates. As PCS season approaches, these installations offer insight into what helped servicemembers not just serve, but endure and progress.

10. Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

Fort Leonard Wood serves as one of the Army’s primary initial entry and functional training centers, responsible for shaping engineers, military police, and chemical specialists. For many Soldiers, this installation represents their first sustained exposure to Army life beyond reception and basic expectations.

The post operates at a consistently high training tempo, with structured schedules, limited downtime, and a strong emphasis on discipline and technical competence. While the surrounding region is rural and offers fewer off-post amenities than larger installations, on-post services are designed to support trainees and permanent party personnel navigating demanding training pipelines.

For Soldiers early in their careers, Fort Leonard Wood establishes foundational habits and professional standards that carry forward into operational units. The environment prioritizes readiness and instruction, making it less about comfort and more about preparation.

9. Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

Lackland Air Force Base functions as the primary entry point for enlisted Airmen, hosting basic military training and multiple education and training commands. Nearly every enlisted Airman passes through its gates, making it one of the most formative installations in the Air Force.

Daily life at Lackland is highly structured, with rigid timelines and clearly defined expectations. For families, the experience often involves navigating short tours, frequent transitions, and limited predictability. However, the base benefits from its location in the San Antonio area, which provides access to medical facilities, schools, and a robust military support network.

Lackland’s importance lies not in long-term stability but in standardization. It introduces Airmen to Air Force culture, discipline, and operational norms that remain consistent throughout their careers.

8. Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia

Naval Station Norfolk is the largest naval installation in the world and the operational heart of the Atlantic Fleet. The base supports a dense concentration of ships, squadrons, and commands, resulting in a fast-paced and often congested environment.

Servicemembers stationed at Norfolk experience the realities of fleet life firsthand, including frequent underways, evolving schedules, and heavy coordination across commands. While traffic, housing competition, and base crowding can present challenges, the installation offers unparalleled exposure to operational Navy culture.

For Sailors focused on sea duty, career visibility, and access to major fleet commands, Norfolk provides opportunities that few other installations can match. The surrounding Hampton Roads area offers diverse housing options and extensive military infrastructure, albeit with varying quality depending on location.

7. Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island

Naval Station Newport serves as the Navy’s center for professional military education and leadership development. The installation hosts key institutions such as the Naval War College and other advanced training commands, drawing officers and senior enlisted personnel at critical points in their careers.

Life at Newport operates at a slower, more deliberate pace than major fleet hubs. Schedules are generally predictable, and the focus shifts from operational execution to strategic thinking, academic rigor, and professional growth. The surrounding coastal community offers a quieter lifestyle, though housing availability and seasonal tourism can influence cost and accessibility.

Newport is particularly well-suited for servicemembers seeking time to refine leadership skills, prepare for increased responsibility, or reset professionally while remaining fully engaged in mission-critical education.

6. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia

Kings Bay supports the Navy’s ballistic missile submarine force, placing it at the center of the nation’s strategic deterrence mission. While the work is demanding and often classified, the installation itself is known for stability, predictability, and a strong sense of community.

The base’s relative isolation contributes to tight-knit relationships among servicemembers and families who share similar schedules and operational demands. Base services, schools, and housing are structured to support long-term assignments, making Kings Bay a frequent choice for families seeking continuity.

Although entertainment and off-post amenities are limited compared to larger metropolitan areas, many families value the balance between mission importance and day-to-day stability.

5. Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida

NAS Pensacola plays a central role in naval aviation training, hosting flight schools and a wide range of education commands. The installation combines a high-energy training environment with deep historical significance and strong institutional support.

Servicemembers assigned to Pensacola often face rigorous training pipelines that demand focus and adaptability. At the same time, the Gulf Coast location provides access to beaches, family-friendly activities, and a relatively moderate cost of living compared to other aviation hubs.

Pensacola’s blend of tradition, training intensity, and quality-of-life factors makes it a defining assignment for those pursuing aviation careers, while also offering stability for families navigating long training timelines.

4. Naval Air Station North Island, California

Located in the San Diego region, NAS North Island supports fleet aviation operations along the Pacific. The installation offers proximity to major commands, advanced aviation platforms, and consistent operational relevance.

The primary challenge for servicemembers stationed at North Island is the cost of living. Housing markets are competitive, and many families must plan carefully to balance expenses with lifestyle preferences. In return, the area provides access to strong schools, medical facilities, and one of the most desirable climates in the military.

For those able to manage financial considerations, NAS North Island offers professional opportunities and a geographic quality of life that remains difficult to replicate elsewhere.

3. Patrick Space Force Base, Florida

Patrick Space Force Base represents the expanding footprint of space and missile operations within the Department of Defense. Supporting launches, space domain awareness, and joint missions, the base sits at the intersection of innovation and operational necessity.

The surrounding community is comparatively family-friendly, with growing infrastructure to support an expanding mission set. As Space Force career paths continue to evolve, Patrick offers early access to emerging specialties and joint operational exposure.

While the installation is still adapting to rapid growth, its trajectory positions it as a key assignment for servicemembers interested in future-facing missions and long-term relevance.

2. Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Fort Jackson is the Army’s largest basic training installation, processing tens of thousands of new Soldiers each year. Its scale requires extensive coordination, standardized systems, and sustained training capacity.

Life on Fort Jackson is defined by structure and throughput. For drill sergeants, instructors, and support personnel, the tempo remains high year-round. For trainees, the installation represents a period of rapid transformation and adjustment to military life.

The surrounding Columbia area provides moderate cost-of-living options and access to healthcare and schools, supporting both permanent party and families attached to training commands.

1. Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii

Camp H.M. Smith serves as the headquarters for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, placing it at the strategic center of one of the world’s most consequential regions. Although small in physical size, its influence spans joint, interagency, and multinational operations.

Assignments at Camp H.M. Smith expose servicemembers to high-level planning, coordination, and strategic decision-making rarely available elsewhere. The joint environment fosters collaboration across services and specialties, offering professional development beyond traditional operational roles.

While Hawaii presents unique challenges related to cost of living and geographic distance, many servicemembers view the opportunity to contribute to Indo-Pacific strategy as a defining career experience.

What This List Reflects

This ranking is based on patterns observed among our readers throughout 2025, including:

• Mission clarity and relevance
• Reliability of base services and infrastructure
• Support for families and long-term assignments
• Career momentum created by the assignment

No installation offers universal advantages. However, those highlighted here demonstrated consistent alignment between mission demands and servicemember sustainability.

Successful PCS decisions are rarely about finding the “best” base in absolute terms. They are about choosing the installation that best aligns with career trajectory, family needs, and personal resilience at that point in service.

MyBaseGuide remains committed to providing clear, experience-driven insight so servicemembers can make informed decisions before the orders arrive—and before they ever reach the gate.

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