What are the key reasons the U.S.A. bases are stationed where they are in the U.S.A.?

Politics is one key reason. Having a base in town brings in quite a bit of money, which is why politicians always fight the closing of bases in their jurisdictions. Some are strategic, of course, such as Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam or the various bases in and around Washington, DC. But most seem to be about money.

There are the bases that were set up first and then the cities sprang up beside them. Like Ft Sill, Ok. It was Indian territory and no population centers near.

Powerful Congressmen.Early on, there were strategic reasons. But do we really need all those bases around San Antonio?

For strategic reasons and good strong political leaders.

There are around 440 military bases on in the continental US. The majority are on our borders. They were established there for protection of our seaports. Some were built as the US made a westward progression. They were built for defense against the various battles that have been fought on US soil throughout the centuries, for outposts to bring supplies to towns, for support of other military bases and so forth.

As towns grew up and around these bases, people’s lives have grown around them as well. They have provided jobs, either directly or indirectly; infrastructure and everything else that is needed for the families of the men and women who lived on the bases and the outgrowth of families who have worked to support the bases.

I wanted to add that I think it is obvious that our naval bases were built on coastal areas and our Air Force bases were built in areas where the aircrafts could be easily deployed for overseas defense.

@bkcunningham looking at that map… if Canada were to launch a “war plan red” scenario of its own someday, America would be pretty much f*cked xP

Have you ever seen the movie Canadian Bacon?

@bkcunningham I’m Polish, and I have never been to either state – I probably wouldn’t get a lot of the jokes…

Many of the army bases and most Naval bases were originally needed to protect our country from invaders or, in the case of army bases, to protect civilians while we were invading Native American territory.

What keeps them in business is local politics. The notion of “spending like a drunken Sailor” is not just a saying, it’s based on facts. Look outside of military bases, you will find Laundry and dry cleaning services, bars, and car dealerships. All dedicated to relieving the young military persons from their money.

@Ron_C “All dedicated to relieving the young military persons from their money.”

What does that even mean?

I think @Ron_C means that military personnel have money to spend and the businesses in the area around a base don’t mind helping them do that – and are often specifically oriented to the servicemen/women.

I’m sure any of the businesses will take money from anyone who comes into their business regardless of who they are. What kinds of goods and services are military aligned so much that civilians would not enjoy? Living next to an army base I can tell ya that the main draw of the military is that they always have money because they never will be laid off. They are a sure thing. They have the same basic live needs/ wants as all of us.

@woodcutter Have you ever been to a large Navel base? You can get anything from your uniform dry cleaned (at higher than normal prices) to a tattoo. Combine that with used car dealers and you have a perfect storm to relieve a young military guy of his/her excess cash. I have more if you want it. I’ve have 12 years experience and have been all over the world. It’s the same in whatever country you visit.

It is the same. It’s called supply and demand. There’s strip clubs, laundry mats, payday loan places, bars (for the ones old enough to drink or with a good fake ID), bowling alleys, motorcycle and insurance companies. There’s also Chucky Cheeses and daycares outside of bases. Why? Because the young military people have children. There’s also McDonald’s and Burger Kings. Have you ever been inside the Pentagon? There’s an entire mall. Florists, barber shops, fast food…you name it, it is there. Why? People want it.