In 2002, there were 14,005 active-duty military personnel and 9,289 civilian personnel stationed in Mississippi. There were two major US Air Force bases, Keesler (Biloxi) and Columbus. Among the four US naval installations were an oceanographic command at Bay St. Louis, an air station at Meridian, and a construction battalion center at Gulfport. In 2001, Mississippi received about $1.43 billion in federal defense contracts.
There were 249,431 veterans of US military service living in Mississippi as of 2000. Of those who served in wartime, 43,547 were veterans of World War II; 29,796 of the Korean conflict; 66,703 of the Vietnam era; and during 1990–2000 (including the Persion Gulf War), 36,848. Benefits totaling some $741 million were paid to Mississippi veterans during 2002.
In 2000, the Mississippi Highway State Patrol employed 532 full-time sworn officers.