In the

United States military The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. The armed forces consists of six service branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The president of the United States is ...

a Geographically Separate Unit (GSU) is a base that is physically separate from, yet not autonomous of its "parent" base. GSUs are "owned" by their parent organization and are typically quite small. Assignment to a GSU can be a mixed blessing. The distance from the parent organization means a more relaxed atmosphere. However, it also means that members assigned to the GSU have to travel to the "parent" base for most military services such as the

Commissary A commissary is a government official charged with oversight or an ecclesiastical official who exercises in special circumstances the jurisdiction of a bishop. In many countries, the term is used as an administrative or police title. It often c ...

Base exchange An exchange is a type of retail store found on United States military installations worldwide. Originally akin to trading posts, they now resemble contemporary department stores or strip malls. Exact terminology varies by armed service; some exam ...

, or Personnel Unit. RAF Feltwell, subordinate to the 48th FW of RAF Lakenheath, is an example of a GSU.

See also