Jobs, noise, environmental impact, and strain on emergency services remain top concerns for Tinian residents regarding the proposed CNMI Joint Military Training (CJMT) program.
U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific executive director Mark Hashimoto said community feedback is key to shaping a training plan that works for everyone. He emphasized that the Department of Defense (DoD) considered more than 30,000 public comments from the 2015 draft EIS, leading to the removal of plans for artillery and aviation-delivered munitions on Tinian and the halting of military activity on Pagan.
“The top five concerns that the community still has include water resources, solid waste, noise, the impact on police, fire, and medical capabilities, and also access to the military lease area,” Hashimoto said.
Florine Hofschneider, a retired educator and member of the Tinian Women’s Association, said the community needs more planning and outside support to manage the rapid changes the CJMT could bring.
“The presentation of the CJMT was a little too technical for us, so that was very difficult to digest,” Hofschneider said. “People were not prepared for the social impact.”
But for Lot Bunao, operations manager at JC Café, the proposed training could mean more jobs and economic growth.
“When it comes to creating jobs, we hire local workers,” Bunao said. “The military money goes into the community. Whatever they spend stays here.”
The DoD is expected to issue a Record of Decision in May 2026, weighing public input alongside national security and environmental concerns.
