--- title: What Military Bases are in New Jersey? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-new-jersey description: >- A guide to active military bases in New Jersey, led by Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, plus PCS housing tips, VA-loan guidance, and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2026-07-02T09:00:00.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-06-19T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - US Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-new-jersey' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: new-jersey --- # What Military Bases are in New Jersey? New Jersey has a small but important military footprint. The state is home to **four major active installations**, supporting the **Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard**, including the one base where all three of the largest services share the same fence line. Whether you are **PCSing to New Jersey** (Permanent Change of Station, the military term for an official move to a new duty station), thinking about a move, or just curious about military history, this guide gives you a clear overview of the **key military bases** in the state. ## Overview of Military Installations in New Jersey New Jersey military bases cover a wide range of missions. They include **global airlift and air refueling, soldier training and mobilization, naval air support and ordnance delivery to the fleet, armament research, and Coast Guard recruit training**. The state is centrally located between New York City and Philadelphia, which keeps thousands of military families moving in and out every year on PCS orders. ### Active Military Bases in New Jersey - **Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst** (Air Force McGuire, Army Dix, and Navy Lakehurst) - **Naval Weapons Station Earle** - **Picatinny Arsenal** - **U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May** ## Joint Bases in New Jersey ### Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL), in central New Jersey, is the **Department of Defense's only tri-service base**. McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst merged on **October 1, 2009**, under Air Force management, while each service kept its own mission and identity. The Air Force is the lead service through the **87th Air Base Wing**, which provides installation support, and the **305th Air Mobility Wing**, which flies global airlift and air refueling missions. The Army side conducts soldier training and mobilization, and the Navy side at Lakehurst designs and tests aircraft carrier catapults, arresting gear, and other naval air support equipment. **Key Missions:** - Global airlift and air refueling for the Air Force - Army soldier training and mobilization - Naval air support equipment design and testing Learn more from the official [Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst fact sheet](https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/243357/joint-base-mcguire-dix-lakehurst/) and the [305th Air Mobility Wing fact sheet](https://www.jbmdl.jb.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/243350/305th-air-mobility-wing/). ## Army Bases in New Jersey ### Picatinny Arsenal Picatinny Arsenal, in **Morris County** in northern New Jersey, is the **Joint Center of Excellence for Guns and Ammunition**. The team there leads the **research, development, acquisition, and lifecycle management** of advanced conventional weapons and ammunition for all branches of the military. Its work covers small, medium, and large caliber ammunition, precision-guided munitions, mortars, fire control systems, howitzers, warheads, and fuzes. The Armaments Center based there employs more than **3,200 civilian engineers, scientists, and support personnel**. **Key Missions:** - Research and development of weapons and ammunition - Lifecycle management of conventional armament systems - Engineering support for the joint warfighter See the official [About Picatinny Arsenal page](https://home.army.mil/picatinny/about) and the [DEVCOM Armaments Center page](https://devcom.army.mil/centerslabs/ac/). ## Navy Bases in New Jersey ### Naval Weapons Station Earle Naval Weapons Station Earle, in **Colts Neck** in Monmouth County, is the Navy's main East Coast site for **providing ordnance to the fleet**. The station spans almost **12,000 acres** and connects an inland Mainside to a Waterfront pier complex on Raritan Bay by a 15-mile Navy-controlled rail and road corridor. Its pier complex is one of the longest finger piers in the world. Earle supports the **Carrier Strike Group ordnance mission** and serves as the operational base for several Military Sealift Command combat logistics ships. Its largest tenant is **Navy Munitions Command**, which carries out the station's primary mission. **Key Missions:** - Loading and delivering ordnance to the fleet - Operational support for combat logistics ships - Munitions handling, storage, and rail transport Learn more on the [NWS Earle About page](https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NWS-Earle/About/) and the [NWS Earle installation page](https://cnrma.cnic.navy.mil/Installations/NWS-Earle/). ## Coast Guard Bases in New Jersey ### U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May Training Center Cape May, at the southern tip of New Jersey, is the **sole boot camp for the entire Coast Guard**. Every enlisted member of the Coast Guard begins their career here, which makes it the service's single accession point for new recruits. The base sits on more than **350 acres**, is the **fifth largest base in the Coast Guard**, and is also home to 14 tenant commands. Recruits complete an eight-week basic training course before reporting to their first units. **Key Missions:** - Recruit basic training for all enlisted Coast Guard members - Developing the future enlisted workforce - Support for tenant commands at the training center See the official [Training Center Cape May page](https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/TraCen-Cape-May/) and the [Cape May recruit training page](https://www.forcecom.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/FORCECOM-UNITS/TraCen-Cape-May/Training/RecruitTraining/). ## Moving to New Jersey? Let Us Help You Find a Home Relocating to New Jersey for a military assignment comes with unique challenges, but **VeteranPCS** is here to help. Whether you need help understanding a **VA Loan** (a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, often with no down payment), finding **military-friendly communities**, or working with **experienced real estate agents**, we are committed to making your **PCS move** simple. Our network of **veteran and military-friendly real estate agents** can assist with: - Finding **on-base or off-base housing** - Connecting with **VA loan specialists** - Understanding the **best communities near each installation** If you are getting ready to move to New Jersey, **contact us today** to connect with an **agent or lender** who understands the unique needs of military families. ## Plan Your PCS to New Jersey New Jersey's military footprint is anchored by Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in the central and southern part of the state, so many families settle within commuting distance in Burlington and Ocean counties. Because the region blends into Greater Philadelphia, our guide to the [best places to live near Philadelphia military bases](/blog/best-places-to-live-near-philadelphia-military-bases) is a useful companion. Keep your move on schedule with the [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel), and if you plan to buy, start with [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan) and our [complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan](/blog/complete-guide-to-buying-your-first-home-with-a-va-loan). Choosing the right local expert helps, so see [how to choose the right real estate agent for your military PCS move](/blog/how-to-choose-the-right-real-estate-agent-for-your-military-pcs-move). When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask Joshua Johns, a VeteranPCS agent in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey area, for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to New Jersey? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move too. ## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ### 1. What is the largest military base in New Jersey? **Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst** is the largest military installation in New Jersey. It is the Department of Defense's only tri-service base, bringing together Air Force, Army, and Navy operations on one installation in central New Jersey. ### 2. How many military bases are in New Jersey? New Jersey is home to **four major active installations**, supporting the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard, along with many tenant and reserve units. ### 3. What kind of joint base is Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst? JB MDL is the **Department of Defense's only tri-service base**. It combines McGuire Air Force Base, Fort Dix, and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst, which merged in 2009 under Air Force management while each service kept its own mission. ### 4. What is the main Navy presence in New Jersey? **Naval Weapons Station Earle**, in Colts Neck, is the main standalone Navy base in New Jersey. Its primary mission is providing ordnance to the fleet, and its pier complex supports Carrier Strike Group operations. The Navy also operates at Lakehurst as part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. [**Connect with our Agents & Lenders in New Jersey Today**](https://veteranpcs.com/new-jersey) and make your move stress-free.