Naval Station Great Lakes at a glance
Naval Station Great Lakes is a Navy training installation on Lake Michigan in northeastern Illinois. It hosts Naval Service Training Command headquarters and Recruit Training Command, with shore support for schools and other tenant organizations. Its identity centers on preparing sailors for service and technical training, rather than serving as a seagoing fleet homeport.
The installation opened in 1911 and expanded sharply during both world wars. Later base realignment concentrated Navy recruit training at Great Lakes as the Orlando and San Diego recruit training centers closed. The modern station continues to combine recruit training with a broader school and support community. Its Lake Michigan location lies between the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, with the surrounding region providing residential and transportation connections.
Also searched as: Great Lakes, Recruit Training Command.
Sources: Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview
Mission and major activities
- Supports Navy recruit and sailor training.
- Hosts Naval Service Training Command headquarters.
Sources: Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview
History and identity
Great Lakes opened on July 1, 1911. The 1993 realignment decision retained it as the Navy's sole recruit training location.
Sources: Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview
Location and community
The station is on Lake Michigan north of Chicago and south of Milwaukee.
Sources: Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview
Before you arrive
Distinguish a recruit training visit from a permanent assignment to the station or one of its schools.
Use these questions with your sponsor or gaining organization. They are a starting point for planning, including assignments, courses and training periods that differ from a routine permanent change of station.
- Confirm the organization, duration and reporting instructions shown on your orders. Ask which office handles your arrival.
- Clarify lodging and housing arrangements before booking. Ask about availability, required approvals and how to handle a late arrival.
- Before choosing a home, compare the commute, lease terms, school needs and your household budget. Ask the housing office about the options that apply to your situation.
- Coordinate household goods and personal travel with the appropriate transportation office. Keep orders, receipts and important family records together.
- Make a short list of contacts for medical care, schools, childcare and family support, where applicable to your assignment.
Official PCS planning resources Housing allowance information
Sources: Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overview
Resources for service members and families
Start with the official resources for Naval Station Great Lakes and ask which services your household can use. For a training site, rotational location or Reserve component assignment, confirm arrangements with your unit rather than assuming the services of a large residential installation are available.
Housing and family support
Find housing, relocation assistance, childcare and school liaison contacts for the correct installation or support community.
Find official contactsSpouse employment
Review federal spouse hiring guidance and ask the local family support office about employment resources.
Review spouse hiring guidanceHealth care and benefits
Locate VA facilities near the community where you plan to live after service. Confirm your eligibility and appointments with the provider.
Find VA locationsRelocation checklist
Prepare questions about paperwork, household goods and family needs with official moving resources.
Plan the moveFrom this mission to your next career
The mission at Naval Station Great Lakes suggests the following areas to consider when describing your experience. These are LockLeed career suggestions based on the public mission, not a list of vacancies or qualifications held by everyone assigned here.
Write down the equipment, systems, processes and teams you personally supported. Add a specific result you can discuss publicly, then match that evidence to the civilian role you want. Keep operational details and sensitive information out of your application.
Translate your experience
Turn your MOS, AFSC or rating into civilian job titles and resume language. Adjust the result to reflect your actual work.
Use the MOS translatorPrepare your resume
Build a clear resume around skills, outcomes, credentials and the roles you want next.
Open Resume StudioPlan your transition
Organize your separation timeline and discuss official requirements with your transition counselor.
Open the separation plannerFind federal opportunities
Search current announcements and read the location, hiring path and qualifications in each posting.
Search USAJOBSFrequently asked questions
Where is Naval Station Great Lakes?
Naval Station Great Lakes is listed in this guide at North Chicago, Illinois, United States. The map point is approximate. For arrival and reporting information, use official resources and your orders.
What is Naval Station Great Lakes known for?
Supports Navy recruit and sailor training. Hosts Naval Service Training Command headquarters.
What should I confirm before arriving?
Distinguish a recruit training visit from a permanent assignment to the station or one of its schools.
How can I prepare for a civilian career from here?
Start with your own military occupation and experience. Use the MOS translator, resume builder and separation planner, and discuss your timeline with the official transition counselor. LockLeed helps candidates pursue direct-hire civilian roles at no cost to the candidate.
Sources and editorial notes
Installation facts above are drawn from the official sources below. Career suggestions and planning questions are LockLeed editorial guidance. Use official offices for current policies, eligibility and arrangements.
- Naval Station Great Lakes: MilitaryINSTALLATIONS overviewSupports: overview, mission, local context, planning note, history
Shared planning and career resources
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS · Official installation profiles and program contacts
- Military OneSource PCS planning · Moving checklists and relocation resources
- Military OneSource overseas move planning · Overseas moving and family logistics
- USAJOBS · Official federal job announcements
- USAJOBS military spouse hiring guidance · Federal spouse hiring path information
- Transition Assistance Program · Official transition planning resources
- VA facility locator · Find VA health care and benefit offices
- Basic Allowance for Housing · Official housing allowance information
Reviewed 2026-09-30. This independent guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Map points are approximate and are not routing or reporting instructions.