About the Program

Every day, America’s defense communities are working to create welcoming and supportive spaces for service members and their families to live and thrive. As the home to our military, these communities recognize the unique challenges and hard work needed to ensure military families are made to feel valued. 

The Great American Defense Communities (GADC) program was developed to recognize and celebrate communities demonstrating an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of service members, veterans and their families. The program is made possible through ADC’s partnership with USAA. 

This year ADC will recognize its 50th Great American Defense Community. To celebrate this milestone we will be checking in on past Great American Defense Communities in addition to highlighting our 2024 class of communities.  

To learn more about the programs and stories that pique ADC’s interest—watch our Great American Defense Communities series on our YouTube channel.

Capt. Manning Montagnet, commanding officer of Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, motivates Shirley Lanham Elementary School students during a Month of the Military Child opening ceremony. Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Henry Liu

Timeline

January 10

Program nomination period opens.

January 18th

GADC informational webinar held on Zoom.

February 14

Program nomination period closes.

Late-February

Communities are selected and notified.

Mid-March

Press releases are distributed to communities, outreach to local and national media in anticipation of 2024 Defense Communities National Summit.

April 8 - 10

2024 Class of Great American Defense Communities announced at the Defense Communities National Summit.

April - September

  • Coordinate delegation visits and GADC ceremonies in each community.
  • Coordinate GADC video shoots with each community.

October 28 - 30

Great American Defense Communities are honored throughout the 2024 Installation Innovation Forum in San Antonio, TX.

For more information about the Great American Defense Communities program, contact Mark Parrott at mparrott@defensecommunities.org.