By Amr Gohar
Washington DC – A nationwide competition to host what the Pentagon is calling the Next Great American Base is drawing strong interest from states and local communities, as officials begin evaluating possible locations for a major new joint-force military installation.
According to a War Department news release, Dale Marks, assistant secretary of war for energy, installations and environment, said the level of interest has been “exceptional,” with proposals reflecting broad support for strengthening national defense and expanding the military’s ability to project power rapidly around the world.
Marks made the comments in an Oct. 22 letter to governors and state adjutants general, saying the responses from states and communities show a willingness to support service members and compete to host a major future military installation.
The project was announced last month by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, who initially outlined a preferred land area of roughly 100,000 to 250,000 acres.
Marks later clarified that proposals outside that range will still be considered, as long as the site has enough land and infrastructure to support the base’s missions.
“Suitability to mission remains paramount,” Marks said.
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Hegseth has said the installation is intended to help the U.S. military respond to growing multidomain threats and improve rapid global power projection. He said the future base could eventually house as many as 25,000 service members.
He has also described the project as more than a traditional military installation, calling it a “dynamic self-sustaining power projection platform.”
Under the current process, the highest-scoring candidate locations will advance to the next stage, with governors expected to present their proposals directly to War Department officials next spring.
A fact sheet accompanying Marks’ letter said smaller parcels of land could also remain competitive if the overall proposal is strong. Former military installations, land adjacent to existing bases and other locations across the United States may all be considered.
Officials said every nomination will be evaluated competitively under the department’s broader screening and selection process.
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