Hegseth pitches off-grid military mega-base in nationwide competition

Key Points:

• Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced plans to build a "Next Great American Base," a modern, self-sustaining military fortress selected through a merit-based competition among states.
• The base will span hundreds of thousands of acres, house up to 25,000 service members, feature independent power generation, modern defenses, and provide first-class living conditions and essential services.
• The initiative aims to move away from outdated military infrastructure by constructing new bases with timeless, classical architecture in line with President Trump's executive order on "Beautiful Civic Architecture."
• State governors can pitch proposals based on land availability, community support, housing, schools, and regulatory environment, with the selection process to be transparent and free of political favoritism.
• This project is part of six strategic initiatives by Hegseth to modernize the military, including restoring male physical standards, overhauling complaint processes, reforming leadership, and enhancing training and maintenance.