Base commander

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The base commander is the officer assigned to command a military base. In the United States armed forces, a base commander is generally at least an O-6 grade officer, which means Colonel (Army, Air Force, Marines) or Captain (Navy, Coast Guard).

However, in certain instances, typically with smaller installations, a base commander may be of a higher or lower rank depending on the size of the installation.

In the US Army, a base commander is called a Post Commander. A US Army installation sometimes establishes a base defense operations centers to provide a focus point for defense operations. The Post Commander for most active duty installations is an O-7 grade officer (Brigadier General) or higher, depending in the echelon housed. For example, Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu, HI houses the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade and is commanded by an O-6 (Colonel). Fort Leonard Wood houses a Center of Excellence and three branch commands (Chemical, Engineer, and Military Police) and is commanded by an O-7 (Brigadier General). Fort Hood houses three divisions and III Corps and is commanded by an O-10 (General).

In the US Air Force, a base commander may either be called an Air Base Wing Commander or a Support Group Commander. If the former, the commander is an independent commander supporting other tenant units; if the latter, the commander is a junior O-6 answering to a more senior O-6 or a general officer serving as the Wing Commander.

In the US Navy, the US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard, the Commanding Officer of a base, station, air station, support activity or other facility in an independent commander, typically supporting one or more tenant units.

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