JRM was established in accordance with congressional legislation implementing the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission. The legislation ordered the consolidation of facilities which were adjoining, but separate military installations, into a single joint base, one of 12 formed in the United States as a result of the law. The commander of Joint Region Marianas also serves as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Marianas and as U.S. Defense Representative to Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, and Federated States of Micronesia.