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 Sourcewell.
To learn more about the programs and stories that pique ADC’s interest—watch our Great American Defense Communities series on our YouTube channel.
ADC visits Fort Smith, Arkansas in August 2024 to celebrate the community’s recognition as a Great American Defense Community. Photo courtesy of the City of Fort Smith
2026 Timeline
February 25
Program nomination period opens.
March 4
GADC informational webinar held on Zoom.
March 25
Program nomination period closes.
Late March
Communities are selected and notified.
Mid-April
Press releases are distributed to communities, outreach to local and national media in anticipation of 2026 Defense Communities National Summit.
May 11 - May 13
2026 Class of Great American Defense Communities announced at the Defense Communities National Summit.
May-September
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Coordinate delegation visits and GADC ceremonies in each community.
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Coordinate GADC video shoots with each community.
October 26 - 28
Great American Defense Communities are honored throughout the 2026 Installation Innovation Forum in Tampa, FL.