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David McGinnis, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs

The DoD STARBASE Program is an effective outreach and integrated educational program that continues to enhance the interest of learning science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) among our nation’s youth. It is a valued and relevant program in local communities that is helping to build and enlarge the talent pool of potential innovative workers needed to support the DoD workforce consisting of civilian and military personnel.

In FY 2011, the DoD STARBASE Program operated at 60 locations in 34 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Military commanders partnered with 1,161 schools from 385 school districts to serve over 60,000 students. Approximately 700,000 students have participated in the program since its inception. Funding was provided to establish 16 additional locations; increasing the total number of locations to 76 with the capacity to reach over 75,000 students annually.

The 2011 DoD STARBASE Report discusses the linkage that exist between military commands, public school districts, and non-governmental organizations. It highlights the approaches taken to strengthen the community relationships and provide a worthwhile STEM education experience for the participating students. The report provides an update on the installation of the enhanced standardized program curriculum at all the program locations. It emphasizes how the program continues to expose students to positive role models within the military services. This facet of the DoD STARBASE Program, and the support it receives from senior military leadership, is critical to the student’s success. Comments within this report from Lieutenant General Charles E. Stenner, Jr, Chief of Air Force Reserve and Commander Air Force Reserve Command; Rear Admiral Thomas J. Moore, Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers; and Brigadier General Brod Veillon, Assistant Adjutant General – Air of the Louisiana National Guard, provide insight into the value of the program. There are also observations from Keith J. Masback, President, United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation and Ms. Paula M. Harris, President of the Houston Independent School District Board of Education. They provide an industry and educational perspective of the DoD STARBASE Program, explaining why they are strong supporters of the program.

The DoD STARBASE Program Report is an investment in the future of our youth and nation.

 Victor E. Renuart, Jr, General USAF (Retired) 

"As we look to the future and the demands placed on our future forces, science and technology will provide the portals through which the Department pours capability into any world event.  If we do not have a professional force, educated by quality programs in math, science, and engineering, we will not be up to the challenge of tomorrow.

"My wife and I were eager to expand the support local military installations could provide to schools around our bases.  We felt that DoD STARBASE was a perfect way to engage with school leadership and include our military members to increase awareness of the importance of science, math, and engineering sciences for  young people at an early enough point in their education that we might spark a long-term desire to pursue these skills for life."

Admiral Gary Roughead, Admiral, USN (Retired)

"A unique educational initiative, the STARBASE program enables students to explore the workings of the world around them, while building on their interests and abilities to prepare them for life and learning in the information age.  To be successful in our technologically advance world, America's students must develop strong reading, writing, and mathematical skills.  They must be fluent in the use of information technologies, and in the application of problem-solving skills to overcome complex challenges.

"Naval Education and Training Command manages and operates the STARBASE academies located at naval facilities.  Termed STARBASE-Atlantis, the Navy’s 15 academies build on the legacy of the first activity opened at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, in September 1994, and fully embrace the vision of the STARBASE program, giving students the opportunity to come aboard Navy facilities to see, learn and grow.  Today there are 60 STARBASE academies whose staffs inspire more than 65,000 students annually." 

Brigadier General Martin Whelan Director of Requirements, Headquarters Air Force Space Command

"The DoD STARBASE Program is an exciting, hands-on, approach to introducing young energetic students to the possibilities of discovery through enrichment of science, technology, engineering and math skills.  I have been lucky enough to be involved with STARBASE since its early inception and have watched the program grow from an idea to catalyst of exploration.

"STARBASE opens the student’s minds to the possibilities of space, aviation and science as fields of study that are easily within their grasp.  STARBASE is the seed that will grow to yield our next crop of engineers, scientists and explorers, so it is critical for DoD to support and sustain this community partnership.

"The DoD STARBASE program serves a vital role introducing students to the possibilities of science and continue to attract new talent to our leadership positions."

Brigadier General John E. Walsh The Adjutant General, Montana National Guard

"The DoD STARBASE program is unique in that it provides students with a “hands-on” experiential approach to learning with the guidance of trained teachers and experienced military personnel who make learning fun, practical, and relevant. The purpose of the DoD STARBASE program is to change the attitude and increase the knowledge and skills of our youth in the areas of math, science, and technology. The program is based on partnerships between our military, our school districts and our local communities.   

"As a host of the STARBASE program in Montana, I am a strong advocate of the program as the result of its effectiveness and the impact the program has had in achieving my community relations objectives. The Soldiers and Airmen who participate in the program have seen firsthand how the program has promoted a positive view of the military in our local community. The program is providing a mechanism for involving community leaders, teachers, and parents along with military personnel on our local military installations."

Kevin P. Chilton, General USAF (Retired) 

"DoD STARBASE is a place where young children can learn, pursue their dreams, and make them come true.  DoD STARBASE gets kids excited about space, about discovery,  and endless possibilities. They get to "see" and "do," experiencing first-hand the wonders of learning.  It gets them interested in science, technology, math and engineering -- the doorway to discovery!

"Growing up in Los Angeles, I never thought one day I would fly jets for the Air Force, or command the Space Shuttle as an astronaut with NASA.  And yet all this was made possible by remarkable people -- parents, teachers, friends and mentors -- who guided and t aught me just like the DoDSTARBASEProgram does with America's youth.

As a parent and former astronaut, the program has special meaning to me because of its educational focus and opportunities for learning.  It benefits everyone involved, not just the children.  I've spoken with many teachers and volunteers withe DoD STARBASE.  They talk about how DoD STARBASE provided them the opportunity to give back to their community, and often times renewed their enthusiasm about their chose profession and desire to learn.  What a tremendous gift! "