Considering the military after high school, what branches are based in California?

I've been thinking about my post-high school options and the military is definitely on the table. Can anyone shed some light on which branches of the military have a strong presence in California? Are there any notable military bases/academies located there?

Absolutely, California indeed has a significant military presence with several bases across all the branches of the U.S. military.

Starting with the U.S. Navy, you have the Naval Base San Diego, the principal homeport of the Pacific Fleet, and Naval Base Coronado, an encompassing base that serves multiple naval commitments, such as SEAL teams and the Naval Special Warfare Center.

For the U.S. Marine Corps, there's Camp Pendleton, located in Southern California between, Oceanside and San Clemente. This is the primary training ground for various specialized United States marine force units.

In regard the U.S. Army, Fort Irwin National Training Center is centrally located and although it's in a somewhat isolated region of the Mojave Desert, it's an important installation providing complex training for tactical forces.

For the U.S. Air Force, there are several bases across California. A notable one is Travis Air Force Base, located in Solano County, which is part of the Air Mobility Command. There's also Edwards Air Force Base where testing of several high-profile aircraft has taken place, including the B-2 Spirit and F-35 Lightning II.

For the U.S. Coast Guard, there are multiple smaller stations along the California coastline, such as Coast Guard Station Golden Gate, located near Sausalito, primarily responsible for saving lives and executing maritime law.

In consideration of the newest branch, the U.S. Space Force, Los Angeles Air Force Base is notable as it's where the Space Systems Command (SSC) is headquartered. This command is responsible for the acquisition, development and sustainment of military space systems.

Lastly, while there are no service academies located in California, the state does have ROTC programs for all the military branches at colleges throughout the state, which offer another pathway to serve.

Remember, each branch has a unique mission and offers different opportunities, so it's worth researching each one to determine which aligns best with your personal interests and career goals. Moreover, optimal locations may differ based on your desired occupation within the military.