What It's Like Getting To Guantanamo Bay, The Most Controversial Military Base In The World

The name of the U.S. Naval Base located on a small sliver of Cuba likely brings up many different associations: A relic of the Cold War, or a military prison for suspected terrorists.

And for some in a post-9/11 world, it's a symbol of torture.

But for the military personnel stationed here — mostly sailors and Marines, it's just Gitmo. It's a tougher duty station than most. Unlike other places in the U.S. military, troops don't get to venture out in town, and guards in the detention facility often endure 12-hour shifts for four days straight, with two days off.

Robert Johnson, our own Military & Defense Editor, recently visited the base.

Just getting there was a challenge.