Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood Relocation Information
Image from army.mil
Welcome to Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood has military education at many levels, but it's especially known for basic training and three major Army schools:
- Engineers
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN)
- Military Police
The base is also home to the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. This is where all Chemical, Engineer, and Military Police Soldiers (plus many Marines, Airmen, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and international students from allied nations) receive training. The Army trains approximately 80,000 soldiers in the active component courses and nearly 15,000 service members from 130 Reserve and other non-tenant units.
Fort Leonard Wood is a mid-sized base, with 63,000 acres of land, but 45% of the installation borders federally owned property. In Southwestern Missouri, the base is in the heart of the Ozark Mountains, and it's adjacent to the Mark Twain National Forest. Military families look to St. Robert, Waynesville, Dixon, Crocker, and Plato for housing, everyday shopping, and amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fort Leonard Wood
1) Are branches other than the Army at Fort Leonard Wood?
Soldiers stationed at Fort Leonard Wood work alongside a Marine Corps Detachment, a Navy construction detachment, and an Air Force Squadron.
2) How long is basic training at Fort Leonard Wood?
Army Basic Combat Training, also known as Basic or BCT, is a 10-week entry point into the U.S. Army.
3) Who is Fort Leonard Wood named for?
The base is named for Major General Leonard Wood. His career dates back to the late 1800s when he served in the Apache-Indian wars. He commanded the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, and he served as the Army’s Chief of Staff between 1910-1914.
4) What are the major cities near Fort Leonard Wood? How far away are they?
- Lake of the Ozarks, 1 hour off post
- Springfield, 1.5 hours off post
- St Louis, 2 hours off post
- Branson, 2 hours off post
- Kansas City, 3 hours off post
5) What is the zip code for Fort Leonard Wood?
The zip code for Fort Leonard Wood is 65473. Other nearby zip codes include 65583, 65584, 65459, 65452, and 65552.
6) What is the BAH for Fort Leonard Wood?
The BAH for Fort Leonard Wood ranges from $1,386 for E-1 with dependents to $2,064 for E-9 with dependents and from $1,515 for O-1 with dependents to $ 2,238 for O-6 with dependents. See the BAH section for more info.
Base Location and Information
Base Address
140 Replacement Ave
Fort Leonard Wood, 65473-8935
Nearby military installations:
Fort Leonard Wood is located in Pulaski County, Missouri. It has a population of nearly 53,000. Unlike some of the Army’s largest bases, Fort Leonard Wood is accessible through four gates, and it’s easy to find the way around and commute.
Service members and their families enjoy outdoor living. This includes navigating around local wildlife that roam the area. It’s not unusual to find herds of deer during a commute. The Lake of the Ozarks is a huge draw for family getaways, and it offers everything lake life entails, like boating, fishing, swimming, and more.
Arrival Lodging
There are multiple arrival lodging choices through IHG on Fort Leonard Wood. All lodging has the same contact telephone and email, but the websites are brand-specific.
Contact Information
Phone: 573-586-4800
Fort Leonard Wood Housing
Balfour Beatty Communities manages Fort Leonard Wood on-base housing through the Stonegate Leasing Community Management Center.
Contact info:
235 Ellis Street
Fort Leonard Wood
Missouri, 65473
Phone: 573-329-0122
The housing community on base is gated, and it has two-, three-, and four-bedroom floor plans. The neighborhoods are walkable and pet-friendly. Families have access to playgrounds, splash parks, and sports courts.
Fort Leonard Wood Off-Base Housing
Image from EricVeega from Getty Images via Canva
Base search
To the north of Fort Leonard Wood are Waynesville and St. Robert. These are the two most popular towns for military families to find homes. They add about 9,000 people to the area’s population. Military families who live in the area enjoy the small community charm, tight-knit neighborhood feel, and well-appointed schools.
Interstate 44 is a close two-mile commute from Fort Leonard Wood, and it leads to St. Louis and Springfield when service members prefer the conveniences of big cities. For everyday life, many families enjoy the affordability and low cost of living in the small towns surrounding Fort Leonard Wood.
Fort Leonard Wood BAH
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 service members' compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Some sample Fort Leonard Wood BAH rates for zip code 65473:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,386
- E-1 without dependents: $1,287
- E-9 with dependents: $2,064
- E-9 without dependents: $1,596
- O-1 with dependents: $1,515
- O-1 without dependents: $1,293
- O-7 with dependents: $2,238
- O-7 without dependents: $2,013
back to top
Fort Leonard Wood Weather & Climate
Fort Leonard Wood’s location in the middle of the country brings a variety of weather phenomena. Although hurricanes aren't an issue, the warnings for tornadoes and other severe weather that strike throughout the spring and summer are serious. May through September are also the months for warm-weather activities (high temps typically reach 89°F), and these are the months when the area sees an influx of visitors. Although the winter is cold, the typical low is 26°F, and it's rarely below 9°F.
Fort Leonard Wood Area Schools
The Waynesville R-VI Schools operate four elementary schools on-base and two off-base for kindergarten through fifth grades. All sixth graders go to an off-post facility dedicated to helping students transition from elementary to middle school called the Waynesville Sixth Grade Center. Seventh and eighth-grade students attend nearby Waynesville Middle School. High school students attend Waynesville High School. The Waynesville High School campus includes a Ninth Grade Center that eases the transition for students from middle to high school. Bus transportation is provided to and from school.
For additional information, contact the base School Liaison Officer (SLO).
13486 Replacement Avenue
Bldg. 470, Room 1102
Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri 65473
Phone: (573) 596-0357
For families interested in private schools in the area, read about local ratings on Private School Review.
For homeschooling information, check the state of Missouri’s information and the Pulaski County Homeschoolers website.
Support for Military and Families
Work Life
The Waynesville - St. Robert Chamber of Commerce is a good resource to begin networking and learning about employment opportunities. The largest employers in the area include:
- Military
- Federal Civilian Employees
- Government Contractors
- Tourism
- Waynesville R-IV School District
- Army and Air Force Exchange
- Walmart
- The cities of Waynesville and St Robert
- Pulaski County
Volunteer
Volunteer positions build social and professional networks while serving the community.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks
- Fort Leonard Wood Thrift Shop
- Child, Youth and School Services
- USO
- Fort Leonard Wood Red Cross
Education
Sometimes, a PCS cycle offers the perfect opportunity to head back to school, either to finish a degree or to pursue something new.
- Park University
- Columbia College
- Drury University
- Central Texas College
- Ozarks Technical Community College
More Helpful Links
Military life requires support. Take advantage of the programs designed for service members and their families.
Things to Do Near Fort Leonard Wood
Around Fort Leonard Wood, there are plenty of outdoor adventures, several historic military sites, and must-try eateries. Here are a few to add to your list:
- Bennett Spring State Park is a great place for a day hike or weekend camping. There's lots to choose from, including fishing at a stocked lake and relaxing at the dining lodge.
- Historic Route 66 is the perfect way to take in the historic road’s scenery.
- Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area has something for everyone, including boating, camping, swimming, water skiing, and fishing.
- U.S. Army Military Police Corps Museum is an interactive museum with exhibits dedicated to realistic experiences of the U.S. Army’s military police.
- U.S. Army Engineer Museum has information on the engineering corps’ equipment, landmine warfare, special weapons, and much more.
- I Love Ice Cream & More is a family favorite with 16 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream after a lunch of grilled cheese or hot dogs.
- SweetWater BBQ is another must-try regional BBQ spot. Don’t forget the dog; he gets a to-go bag of bones.
- Piney River Brewing Company boasts award-winning beer at a 160-acre farm in the picturesque Ozarks.
More Area Info
.png)
back to top
Base Address:
140 Replacement Ave
Fort Leonard Wood
,
65473-8935