Higher than the U.S. National Average
Housing
Military Families getting ready to PCS to Naval Station Great Lakes and looking to stay in Military housing. Please contact Great Lakes Hunt Military Community (847) 689-4312
Childcare
If you are seeking childcare please visit Militarychildcare.com For family inquiries related to creating a MilitaryChildCare.com account, updating a household profile, searching for care, or managing requests for care:
Toll Free Phone Number: 855.696.2934 and select Option 1 (Family Support)
For further question or Inquiries regarding waiting list to enroll please contact Child Development Center 2700 847-688-4470 or Child Development Center 3110 847-688-5562
Know Your Drone Zone
Naval Station Great Lakes does not allow the use of recreational unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, on or over the base. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published guidelines regarding recreational drone use at https://www.faa.gov/uas/
Pets in Housing
Privatized housing management, Hunt Housing enforces the following breed restrictions: Pit Bulls, Rottweiler, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Siberian Husky, and Perro de Presa Canarios.
Naval Station Great Lakes mission is to train Sailors for the Fleet. Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) is home to the U.S. Navy's only Recruit Training Command. Naval Station Great Lakes supports the operational readiness of the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, providing facilities and services to enable mission accomplishment. We are committed to safety, security, and continuous improvement in quality of life and quality of service for our Sailors and families.
Great Lakes has been turning civilians into seamen and seamen into Sailors for more than 100 years. From its founding in 1911, Great Lakes has maintained its position as the Navy's largest training facility. Since World War I through today, it has trained and sent to the Fleet more than two million new Sailors through the Recruit Training Command, and nearly an equal number from its technical schools.
The largest military installation in Illinois and the largest training center in the Navy, the base includes 1,153 buildings on 1,628 acres, and uses 50 miles of roadway to provide access to the station's facilities. For more information on Great Lakes’ history and the installation itself, go to our homepage.
32,897 in North Chicago; 9,524,673 in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Area
Naval Station Great Lakes is home to over 4,000 active duty staff personnel and families, 14,000 recruits and students, 3,000 government civilian employees, and over 2,000 contractors. Naval Station Great Lakes provides services to Active Duty military, their family members and retirees, from a surrounding 16 state area.
Naval Station Great Lakes is a military town, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, sits 1 hour North of Chicago, Illinois and 1 hour South of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Naval Station Great Lakes is located in the middle of two metropolitan areas Chicago and Milwaukee which can be consider as a high cost area. The base operator's phone number is 847-688-3500 or DSN 312-792-3500.
Arriving from O'Hare International Airport Chicago, IL
If you are arriving by plane, from O' Hare International Airport, we have a Military Information Detachment located in the USO facility at Terminal 2, to assist you with obtaining transportation to Great Lakes. The Airport Express has a van that goes to and from O'Hare.
Arriving from Midway Airport Chicago, IL
If arriving at Midway Airport, look for the American Taxi company. They have a flat rate fee for coming to Naval Station Great Lakes. You can also take the Metra to Downtown, then transfer to the Chicago & Northwestern Line which comes to the Naval Station Great Lakes installation.
The Airport Express has a van that goes to O'Hare and there you can transfer to the Great Lakes van.
Arriving from Mitchell International Airport Milwaukee, WI
If arriving at Mitchell International Airport, look for taxi or Uber/Lyft Drivers. Naval Station Great Lakes is 1hr 30mins distance.
If arriving by auto, NAVSTA is located approximately 3 miles east of Hwy. 41 and approximately 15 miles east of Interstate 94/294 at US Rt. 137 (Buckley Rd.).
Driving coming North from ChicagoIf you drive, the following route is suggested coming north from Chicago; take Interstate 94 (north) to Hwy.41 Waukegan exit. Do not take the by-pass to Interstate 294. Take Hwy.41 north to Rt. 137. Make a right turn on Rt. 137 (Buckley Rd.); go east approximately 2 miles.
Driving North from the Chicago Area
Coming north from the Chicago area using the bypass Interstate 294 (north), to Rt. 137. Make a right turn on Rt. 137 (Buckley Rd.) and go east approximately 6 miles.
If Coming from WisconsinUse Interstate 94 south. At Wisconsin/Illinois border exit onto Waukegan exit Hwy. 41 south (off ramp is on the left side of Interstate 94). Take Hwy. 41 south to Rt. 137; make a left turn on Rt. 137 (Buckley Rd.) and go east approximately 3 miles.
DoD decals are no longer required for access to the installation. Vehicles for employees or contractors still need to be registered upon check-in or decal expiration. Military personnel are still required to have their vehicles registered at the Pass and ID office (847) 688-5648. You will need:
When you arrive at the main gate show your military identification to the gate guard. If everything is in order, access to the Naval Station will be permitted.
The shuttle bus on base is free and run by Naval Station Quarterdeck/CDO. Please call 847-688-3500 or DSN 312-792-3300 for more information.
Base Operator:
Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center3001 Green Bay RoadNorth Chicago, Illinois 60064
800-393-0865 or 847-688-1900
For a DSN directory, please go to:
Release 2023.08.17.1