Naval Station Great Lakes: Your First Step in the Navy Journey

Installation Overview

Mission and Major Commands

NS Great Lakes has trained more than two million sailors since World War I. Today its primary mission is initial and advanced Navy training.

Real talk for permanent party families: Deployment tempo at NS Great Lakes is significantly lower than at fleet installations for most permanent party billets. Instructors and training support staff generally have more predictable schedules than sea duty. This is a genuine quality-of-life factor for families and a reason many service members consider this a desirable shore duty assignment.

Getting to Base and Getting Around Lake County

NS Great Lakes is accessed primarily through the Main Gate on Buckley Road, open 24/7 for authorized personnel. All adults must present a valid Military ID, CAC card, or REAL ID-compliant state driver’s license. Non-compliant IDs are not accepted. Visitors must obtain a pass at the Visitor Control Center before entering.

Metra UP-N line: The Union Pacific North commuter rail line stops at North Chicago station, connecting directly to Chicago’s Ogilvie Transportation Center (downtown). This is a genuinely useful option for families where a spouse commutes to Chicago for work, or for weekend trips to the city. Check current schedules at metrarail.com.

On-base shuttle bus: A free shuttle runs on base. Contact the Quarterdeck/CDO at (847) 688-3300 for routes and schedule.

Housing at Naval Station Great Lakes

On-base family housing at NS Great Lakes is privatized and managed by Hunt Military Communities. There are six neighborhoods totaling over 1,460 duplexes, triplexes, and single-family homes. Some neighborhoods are on-base and some are on adjacent government property. Waitlists fill quickly, especially May through August — apply the same week your orders arrive.

Contact the Housing Service Center before signing any lease or purchase agreement, even if you plan to live off base.

Housing Service Center and Hunt Military Communities

On-Base Housing Neighborhoods

All Hunt communities are open to active duty, target tenants, single military, all branches, retirees, contractors, civil service, and DoD employees. Many homes include garages, patios or balconies, wood floors, fireplaces, and washer/dryer hookups. Contact Hunt at (847) 999-6228 for current availability by bedroom entitlement and waitlist timing.

2026 BAH Rates — Naval Station Great Lakes (GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN MHA IL092)

NS Great Lakes falls under the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN Military Housing Area (IL092). BAH rates increased 4.8% from 2025 — one of the stronger increases among Midwest installations. Service members with dependents receive 25.1% more than those without. NS Great Lakes ranks 26th highest among all Navy bases. Use ZIP code 60088 in the official DTMO BAH Calculator to confirm your exact rate. For national context, see our 2026 BAH rates guide.

2026 Enlisted BAH Rates

2026 Warrant Officer BAH Rates

2026 Officer BAH Rates

Medical Care: Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center

NS Great Lakes is served by a truly unique facility: Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (Lovell FHCC) — the only fully integrated DoD/VA health care center in the nation. Unlike any other military installation in the U.S., Lovell FHCC serves both active duty military families (TRICARE) and eligible veterans (VA) under one roof, with shared staff and integrated systems. For families, this means access to a comprehensive, full-service hospital with primary care, specialty clinics, mental health, dental, women’s health, and research programs — all without leaving the installation campus.

Lovell FHCC also operates satellite clinics in Evanston (847-869-6315), McHenry (815-759-2306), and Kenosha, WI (262-653-9286) for expanded access. Enroll in TRICARE before arriving — visit tricare.mil to compare TRICARE Prime vs. TRICARE Select and confirm enrollment options for the Great Lakes area.

Schools Near Naval Station Great Lakes

There are no DoDEA schools at NS Great Lakes. School assignment is based entirely on your home address. Families living on-base attend North Chicago Community Unit School District #187. Off-base families attend the district serving their specific residence, which is determined by city and neighborhood. Your housing decision and your school choice should be made together — check district boundaries before signing a lease.

School Liaison Officer (SLO): (847) 688-5700 — Contact for enrollment, records transfer, inter-district transfer policies, and EFMP school coordination.

Important Illinois note: Illinois public schools require a fee at registration by state law. New students must provide proof of immunizations. Adult education is available through the Navy College Learning Center on base at (847) 688-4681 x216.

Child Development Centers (CDCs)

The Child Development Center at Forrestal Village provides on-base childcare. Waitlists are common — register at MilitaryChildCare.com immediately upon receiving orders, ideally 6+ months before your report date. CDC Resource & Referral: (847) 688-3100 or (847) 688-5662.

Off-Base Neighborhoods: What Families Actually Think

Lake County, Illinois offers a wide range of communities from affordable and close-in to upscale and school-focused. Here is what military families report about each area, including the honest tradeoffs.

On Illinois property taxes: Lake County property taxes are among the highest in Illinois, which already has high property taxes statewide. Annual property tax bills on homes range from roughly $4,000 to $18,000+ depending on assessed value and municipality. If you are buying, factor this into your monthly budget carefully — it will affect your mortgage qualification and monthly costs significantly. Talk to a VA-experienced lender before committing. Our VA Home Loan guide covers how lenders handle tax-heavy markets.

On-Base Facilities and Key Contacts

MWR Highlights at NS Great Lakes

• Field House (Bldg. 440) — gym, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, climbing wall, group fitness, and outdoor fitness areas; one of the best MWR fitness facilities in the Midwest
• Marina — Lake Michigan watercraft rentals; kayaks, sailboats, and powerboats available seasonally
• Carey Golf Course — 18-hole course on base
• Bowling Alley — on base; popular with families and single sailors
• Movie Theater — on-base theater with current releases
• Legend’s Sports Club / Sam Adams Brew House — dining and entertainment on base
• Outdoor Recreation Rentals — camping gear, ski equipment, bikes, and watercraft through MWR; navymwrgreatlakes.com
• MWR Tickets & Travel — discounted tickets for Six Flags, Chicago sports, museums, and more at (847) 688-3537

In-Processing at Naval Station Great Lakes

Before You Arrive

• Request a sponsor from your gaining command as soon as orders are confirmed
• Contact the Housing Service Center at (847) 688-3440 and Hunt Military Communities at (847) 999-6228 the same week orders arrive — waitlists fill quickly May through August
• Submit your household goods shipment at move.mil early — summer PCS is peak season
• Register for CDC childcare at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as possible
• Book temporary lodging at the Navy Lodge early: (847) 688-2170 or 1-800-NAVYINN
• Enroll in TRICARE at tricare.mil and schedule establishment of care at Lovell FHCC appointment line: 1-800-941-4501
• Research school districts before finalizing housing — contact the SLO at (847) 688-5700 to confirm your specific address’s school zone
• Budget for Illinois state income tax on military pay (4.95% flat rate); factor this into your housing decision

When You Arrive

• Report to your gaining command for check-in; contact the Quarterdeck/CDO at (847) 688-3300 for after-hours orders stamp
• Visit the Housing Service Center at (847) 688-3440 — required even if living off base
• For DITY/PPM coordination, contact the Personal Property Office at (847) 688-2197
• Enroll children in school — contact the SLO at (847) 688-5700 and verify immunization records are ready (Illinois law requires these at registration)
• Attend the Newcomers Brief — contact your command for the scheduled briefing time

Use our PCS Binder and Checklist to track every step of your NS Great Lakes move, and see our DITY/PPM guide if you’re considering a personally procured move.

Things to Do Near Naval Station Great Lakes

On and Around the Base

• Lake Michigan beaches — Waukegan Beach and Illinois Beach State Park are minutes from base; swimming, fishing, and lakefront trails
• Illinois Beach State Park — the largest state park in Illinois, adjacent to the base; hiking, camping, and 6+ miles of beachfront
• Independence Grove Forest Preserve (Libertyville) — kayaking, hiking, picnicking, and a 115-acre lake
• Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, ~15 min) — one of the top theme parks in the Midwest; MWR tickets save significantly on admission
• Gurnee Mills Mall — outlet mall with 200+ stores; 15 min from base
• Downtown Libertyville — farmers markets, boutique shopping, locally owned restaurants

Chicago and Day Trips

• Downtown Chicago (~40–50 miles south) — world-class museums, deep-dish pizza, sports (Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks), Navy Pier, Millennium Park, architecture tours, and live music; Metra train makes it car-free
• Milwaukee, WI (~60 miles north) — Harley-Davidson Museum, Milwaukee Art Museum, Third Ward neighborhood, Brewers games, strong brewery culture
• Wisconsin Dells (~120 miles north) — “Waterpark Capital of the World”; major family destination
• Starved Rock State Park (~80 miles southwest) — canyons, waterfalls, and bluffs along the Illinois River; one of the best hiking destinations in the Midwest
• Door County, WI (~180 miles north) — “Cape Cod of the Midwest”; fall foliage, cherry orchards, waterfront towns

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Naval Station Great Lakes and what is its mission?

Naval Station Great Lakes is the U.S. Navy’s only enlisted boot camp and the largest training installation in the Navy. Located in North Chicago, Illinois on the shores of Lake Michigan, it has trained more than 2 million sailors since 1911. Today it is home to Recruit Training Command (RTC), dozens of A-school and C-school technical training programs, the Naval Health Sciences Education and Training Command, Captain James A. Lovell FHCC, and approximately 4,000 permanent party staff. It is the largest military installation in Illinois, covering 1,628 acres with 1,153 buildings.

What are the 2026 BAH rates at Naval Station Great Lakes?

NS Great Lakes falls under the GREAT LAKES NAVTRACEN MHA (IL092). BAH increased 4.8% in 2026 — one of the stronger Midwest increases. Key rates: E-5 with dependents $2,427/month; E-6 with dependents $2,760; O-3 with dependents $3,018; O-4 with dependents $3,381; O-5 with dependents $3,645. Service members with dependents receive 25.1% more than those without. Use the DTMO BAH Calculator with ZIP 60088 to confirm your exact rate.

What is Captain James A. Lovell FHCC and how is it different from other military hospitals?

Lovell FHCC is the nation’s only fully integrated federal health care center — it jointly serves both active duty military families (via TRICARE) and eligible veterans (via VA) under one facility, staff, and operational system. No other installation in the U.S. has this. It provides full-service inpatient and outpatient care including primary care, specialty clinics, mental health, women’s health, dental, and research programs. The main campus is at 3001 Green Bay Road, North Chicago, IL 60064. Main phone: (224) 610-3500. Appointment Center: 1-800-941-4501. Website: va.gov/lovell-federal-health-care-tricare.

What school district serves families living on base?

Families in on-base housing attend North Chicago Community Unit School District #187, where nearly one-third of students are military dependents. Off-base school assignments depend entirely on your home address and municipality. Lake County has a wide range of districts — from North Chicago (more affordable, lower academic ratings) to Lake Bluff and Libertyville (among the highest-rated schools in Illinois). Contact the School Liaison Officer at (847) 688-5700 before finalizing your housing address. Illinois public schools charge a registration fee by state law and require proof of immunizations at enrollment.

Which off-base neighborhoods do NS Great Lakes families recommend most?

Grayslake is consistently the most popular choice — it offers newer and established neighborhoods, excellent schools, military community density, easy I-94 access, and a mid-range price point. Gurnee is popular for families wanting top amenities and strong schools (Warren Township HS) with a convenient commute. Lake Villa appeals to families wanting more space, lake views, and quiet. Libertyville is the upscale choice with an outstanding school district and walkable downtown. North Chicago and Waukegan are the most affordable and closest to base but have lower school ratings — better suited to single sailors or families without school-age children.

What on-base housing is available at NS Great Lakes?

On-base family housing is managed by Hunt Military Communities at (847) 999-6228. There are six neighborhoods totaling 1,460+ homes — duplexes, triplexes, and single-family homes ranging from 2–5 bedrooms by rank and family size. Highlights include Forrestal Village (off-base, junior enlisted, on-site CDC and youth center), Nimitz Village (off-base, senior enlisted/officers, community center), and Halsey Village (on-base, officers, garages, private yards). Many homes include garages, fireplaces, wood floors, and washer/dryer hookups. Apply at the Housing Service Center: (847) 688-3440.

Is deployment tempo high at NS Great Lakes?

For most permanent party billets — especially instructors at RTC and technical training schools — deployment tempo at NS Great Lakes is significantly lower than at fleet installations. Many service members specifically request shore duty here for the schedule predictability it offers families. That said, tempo varies by command. Confirm with your gaining command before assuming any schedule.

How does Illinois state income tax affect military families at NS Great Lakes?

Unlike states such as Washington, Texas, or Florida, Illinois applies a 4.95% flat income tax to military pay. This meaningfully reduces take-home pay compared to no-tax states. Illinois does exempt military pay earned in designated combat zones. Factor this into your housing budget — it can equal $1,000–$2,500+ per year depending on pay grade, and it affects how far your BAH stretches relative to what the rates show on paper.

What Chicago area attractions are close to NS Great Lakes?

Downtown Chicago is about 40–50 miles south — approximately 50–90 minutes by car depending on traffic, or about 60 minutes on the Metra UP-N commuter rail from North Chicago station. The city offers world-class museums (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Art Institute), professional sports across five leagues, Navy Pier, Millennium Park, deep-dish pizza, and a restaurant scene that rivals any city in the country. Six Flags Great America is only 15 minutes from base in Gurnee — MWR Tickets & Travel offers significant discounts. Illinois Beach State Park, directly adjacent to the base, has 6 miles of Lake Michigan beachfront.