Fort Polk
Fort Polk Relocation Information
Image from army.mil
Welcome to Fort Polk, Louisiana!
Fort Polk’s motto is “Forging the Warrior Spirit”. The Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk trains Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) and Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) to conduct large scale operations on live action battlefields in threatful conditions. Fort Polk enables US Army Forces Command units to increase readiness and support globally deployable missions while striving to maintain a high quality of life for soldiers and Army families. Fort Polk has an active duty population of approximately 7,800 Army and around 200 other active duty military personnel as well as an average of 5,700 rotational military personnel.
The units at Fort Polk include:
- 3rd Brigade Combat Team
- 10th Mountain Division
- 519th Military Police Battalion
- 32nd Hospital Center
- 1st Battalion, 5th Aviation Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, 353rd Regiment
- Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital
- DENTAC
- 46th Engineer Battalion
- JRTC Operations Group
- Det 2 Combat Weather Squadron
- 548th Combat Training Squadron
Image from Fort Polk Facebook page
A moment in time...
A German Army Wiesel light airborne tracked armored vehicle during rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center. During rotations with 82nd Airborne there was always at least one German Army company embedded in the training.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Polk
1) What is Fort Polk known for?
Fort Polk is known for the “Louisiana Maneuvers” which were mock battles to prepare America’s soldiers for World War II and resulted in the role Fort Polk played in war training. In fact, as World War II intensified so did visits to then Camp Polk by Army leaders who would become American legends. The great General George C. Marshall was quoted as saying, "I want the mistakes made down in Louisiana and not over in Europe, and the only way to do this thing is to try it out, and if it doesn't work, find out what we need to make it work". This became Fort Polk’s greatest mission then and now.
2) How many gates does Fort Polk have?
Fort Polk has 8 gates with varied operating hours. The main gate, ACP1, is the location of the Fort Polk Visitor’s Center.
3) Is there base housing at Fort Polk?
Yes, Fort Polk has family housing available on base. The housing service is managed by Corvias Property Management and has three neighborhoods.
4) Who is Fort Polk named for?
Fort Polk was named for Louisiana native son, Leonidas Polk. Polk was a prominent Episcopal bishop and corps commander in the Confederate Army. Polk fell at the Battle of Pine Mountain in the Atlanta Campaign in 1864.
Image from Fort Polk Facebook
5) What is the zip code for Fort Polk, Louisiana?
The zip code for Fort Polk is 71459. Other nearby zip codes include 71446 and 70643
6) What is the BAH for Fort Polk?
BAH for Fort Polk ranges from $924 for E-1 to $1440 for E-9 with dependents, and $1044 for O-1 to $1728 for O-7 with dependents. See housing section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Fort Polk base map from army.mil
Fort Polk is located in west-central Louisiana, about 45 miles from Alexandria and 70 miles from Lake Charles. Close to the front gate and slightly north lies the town of Leesville, Louisiana, and to the south is the town of DeRidder, Louisiana. The base is about an hour to Natchitoches, the charming town setting for the movie Steel Magnolias. Larger southern Louisiana towns within driving distance include Lafayette, Baton Rouge and New Orleans.
Military Installations in Louisiana
Nearby military installations:
Fort Polk served as the Army's largest infantry training center from 1962 until 1976. This mission involved preparing most of the infantry soldiers for combat in Vietnam, with over one million infantry recruits trained at Fort Polk.
Image from Fort Polk Facebook
Fort Polk is now home to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) as well as home of the 2nd ACR and Warrior Brigade. Fort Polk is unique in all the Army because it is the only Combat Training Center (CTC) that also has the mission to train and deploy combat and combat support units.
Fort Polk is located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. Louisiana is the only state to have parishes and not counties. Employees and residents in the Fort Polk area have a shorter commute time than the average U.S. worker according to Data USA Fort Polk South.
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Arrival Lodging
Fort Polk Lodging. Image from IHG.com
Fort Polk Holiday Inn Express Magnolia House and Cypress Inn
7326 Utah Avenue Bldg 522
Fort Polk, LA 71459
(337) 531-9000
ihgfortpolk@ihg.com
Fort Polk Housing
Fort Polk Housing
Fort Polk family housing is managed by Corvias Property Management. The housing areas have a mix of renovated and older units. There are 3 neighborhoods, each with their own community center/pool and play areas. The communities have neighborhood lawn care, 24-hour response maintenance team and are pet-friendly.
Fort Polk Housing Contact Information
Fort Polk Housing Assistance Office
1820 Corps Rd.
Fort Polk South, LA 71459
Phone: 337-531-6000
Corvias Property Management
7059 Magnolia Drive
Fort Polk, LA 71459
Phone: 337-404-6305
Fort Polk Off-Post Housing
Homes for Sale and Houses for Rent near Fort Polk: Fort Polk Homes
Photo by Ronnie George on Unsplash
The Fort Polk area has a lower cost of living than the U.S. average. The current median listing home price is $209,800, which has trended up as of July 2022. Local areas for house hunting include Alexandria, Deridder, and Leesville as well as additional popular neighborhoods such as Charles Park, The Lakes District, Grundy Cooper, West Pointe, Four Leaf Village, Burkeville, and South Toledo Bend.
Before stepping out to house hunt in the Fort Polk community, be sure to explore and learn as much as you can about the community and research local issues and school options.
City Search
Fort Polk BAH Information
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S.-based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Polk is near Alexandria, Deridder, and Leesville Louisiana with options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort Polk BAH rates for zip code 71459:
- E-1 with dependents: $924
- E-1 without dependents: $693
- E-9 with dependents: $1440
- E-9 without dependents: $1137
- O-1 with dependents: $1044
- O-1 without dependents: $837
- O-7 with dependents: $1728
- O-7 without dependents: $1380
Area Weather and Climate
Image from Fort Polk MWR
Louisiana is known as a “Sportsman's Paradise” for a reason! The warm climate makes for some great fishing, hiking, and hunting in the beautiful bayous. The Fort Polk area has a subtropical climate with long, humid summers and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Hurricanes are always a threat during the summer months and the winters are mild. Due to the prevalence of summer hurricanes, the local weather authorities do a great job issuing warnings for both residents and visitors.
Fort Polk Area Schools
Photo by Sebastian Morelli-Peyton on Unsplash
There are no DOD schools at Fort Polk. North Polk Elementary School is located on base, but it is part of the Vernon Parish School District which is the school system most students will attend.
More Fort Polk area School information:
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Support for Military and Families
Photo by KOBU Agency on Unsplash
Fort Polk Area Higher Education
Fort Polk Area Employment Outlook
The unemployment rate for Fort Polk as of June 2022 was 4.2% according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some of the most sought after professions in the Fort Polk area are:
- Sales and related occupations
- Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations
- Construction
- Office and administrative support occupations
- Law enforcement
- Healthcare related positions
Some of the area’s top employers include: Fort Polk, Rapides Parish School Board, Grand Casino Coushatta, CHRISTUS Cabrini Hospital , and Vernon Parish School Board.
Fort Polk Area Volunteer Opportunities
Other helpful links:
Things to Do Near Fort Polk
Image from Visit Lake Charles
Sam Houston Jones State Park in Lake Charles is over 1,000 acres of tree-filled lagoons, forests, hiking trails, and abdant wildlife to enjoy. Named for the Texas folk hero, Sam Houston, this park offers much to enjoy, especially if you enjoy water sports.
Toledo Bend Army Recreation Park This is another great option if you love water sports. The park is about 40 minutes from Fort Polk but well worth the drive as it offers year-round recreation to enjoy. Grab your family and venture down to enjoy the Toledo Bend Reservoir for a day of swimming, boating, and fishing. Plus you can even stay the weekend at one of their cozy cabins. Great place to get away!
Fort Polk Military Museum Located on post at Fort Polk, this new 3,600-square-foot facility features artifacts relating to the history of Fort Polk. The history buff will enjoy viewing the weapons, uniforms,
and equipment that has helped prepare the Army for war. The museum features an important exhibit called “Heritage Families'' which highlights the families displaced from their homes to make room for the Army community.
Fort Polk Mini Golf and Go Carts Grab the family and head to the mini golf and go cart center right on Fort Polk. Enjoy a round of 9- or 18-hole mini golf or a speedy go-kart venture!
Warrior Hills Golf Course Great 18-hole golf course located on Fort Polk. Rent a golf cart and spend the day outside followed by a visit to the Warrior Store for snacks, souvenirs or gifts. Be sure to ask about annual memberships when you check in.
Alexandria Zoo Spend the day exploring the park and encountering 500 animals such as lions, tigers, crocodiles, monkeys, bears, otters and many more. Take a train ride, visit the gift shop and Palm cafe, and rent a wagon/stroller for the day. Enjoy the educational exhibits and take a walking tour! This zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Day Trip: Take a weekend getaway down to New Orleans, “The Big Easy,” and enjoy some amazing restaurants and architecture!
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Base Address:
1591 Bell Richard Avenue, Bldg 920
Fort Polk
,
71459-5227