Stationing a soldier abroad costs each taxpayer 10,000–40,000 more annually

Evidence

Like many things far from home, overseas bases are very expensive. Even when host countries like Japan and Germany cover some of the costs, U.S. taxpayers still pay an average of 10,000 to 40,000 more per year to station a member of the military abroad compared to in the United States. The costs of transportation, the higher cost of living in some host countries, and the expense of providing schools, hospitals, housing, and other support to family members of military personnel abroad all contribute to the extra expense. With more than half a million troops, family members, and civilian employees on bases overseas, the expenses add up quickly. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 28

The most obvious reason to question the overseas base status quo is economic. Especially in an era of budget austerity, it makes sense to ask whether closing bases abroad can be an easy source of savings. Like many things far from home, overseas bases are very expensive. Even when host countries like Japan and Germany cover some of the costs, U.S. taxpayers still pay an average of 10,000 to 40,000 more per year to station a member of the military abroad compared to in the United States. — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 28

Categorization

• corroborated: 4 independent passages support this claim — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 28
• XREF: connects to: Independent estimates of overseas base costs exceed official figures tenfold; Stationing troops overseas costs tens of thousands more per person annually; Keeping U.S. troops in Japan costs taxpayers over a billion dollars extra annually — David Vine, Base Nation_ How U.S. Military Bases…, 888 (+1 more)