Fort Hood, TX Installation Guide

LOCATION

Like the State of Texas, Fort Hood is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Services. Fort Hood rests in the beautiful 'hill and lake' country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin and 50 miles southwest of Waco.

Fort Hood is the largest active duty armored post in the United States, and is the only post in the United States that is capable of supporting two full armored divisions. In addition to 1st Cavalry Division and 4th Infantry Division, Fort Hood is also home for Headquarters Command III Corps, 3d Signal Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), 13th Finance Group, 89th Military Police Brigade, 504th Military Intelligence Brigade, 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat), Dental Activity (DENTAC), Medical Support Activity (MEDDAC), Army Operational Test Command (AOTC) and various other units and tenant organizations.

Fort Hood is fortunate to have the growing cities of Killeen and Copperas Cove as neighbors. These cities include new and affordable housing areas, shopping centers, recreation facilities and good restaurants.

The major access highway to Fort Hood's principal cantonment area and West Fort Hood is U.S. Highway 190, which provides four-lane controlled access to the post from Interstate Highway 35, the main North-South route through Central Texas. Income levels in the military tend to create a distribution that is spiked in the middle income areas. Very few military members earn below $15,000 per year and few earn over $75,000 annually. Due to the lack of top income earners on post, average household income at Fort Hood is approximately $33,000.

HISTORY

Fort Hood was named for the famous Confederate General John Bell Hood, an outstanding leader who gained recognition during the Civil War as the commander of Hood's Texas Brigade. The original site was selected in 1941, and construction of South Camp Hood began in 1942. North Camp Hood, located 17 miles to the north, was established shortly after the first land acquisition and the founding of the cantonment area. South Camp Hood was designated as Fort Hood, a permanent installation, in 1951. North Camp Hood became North Fort Hood and what is now West Fort Hood was formerly a U.S. Air Force Base. Both the airfield and the base were run by the U.S. Air Force from 1947 to 1952. From 1952 to 1969, the facilities were run by the U.S. Army under the Defense Atomic Support Agency. It became part of Fort Hood in 1969.

MISSION

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood, a power projection platform, in support of the full spectrum of operations; provides responsible stewardship of resources; provides services and maintains infrastructure; enables training of joint/combined expeditionary forces; mobilizes/demobilizes RC forces; establishes a safe, secure environment; provides for the well-being of the DA family; fosters relationships with surrounding communities; and sustains/supports Army transformation.

POPULATION SERVED

The demographic composition of Fort Hood differs significantly from surrounding communities. The total service area population exceeds over 300,000. Fort Hood has a relatively young population, the largest age group being the 25 to 34 year group. Additionally, the post has very few people over 55 years old (as most have retired by that time). The ethnic mix of the military is usually more diverse than a typical Texas city, and Fort Hood follows this pattern with 48% White, 26% African-Americans, 19 % Hispanics, 3 % Asians, and 4% various other races.

ARRIVAL

If you arrive in the area via the Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport, ground transportation is available to Fort Hood. If you need help at the airport contact the Liaison NCO located in the baggage claim area. When entering Fort Hood through the main gate, stay on Hood Road, the Copeland Soldier Service Center is a big three story brick building located on the corner of Battalion Ave and Fort Hood Rd. Should you encounter any difficulties or have any questions upon your arrival, contact the Copeland Soldier Service Center. This office is open 24 hours, seven days per week.

SPONSORSHIP

Upon receipt of assignment orders to Fort Hood, contact the Copeland Soldier Service center at (254) 287-3832 for information about obtaining a sponsor. Soldiers with pin point assignment can request sponsorship by mailing their gaining unit a DA Form 5434 (Sponsorship Program Counseling Information Sheet). Soldiers desiring a pin-point assignment can contact Strength Management at (254) 287-7525, (254) 288-5252 or DSN 737-7525.

To obtain information from Army Community Services, call (254) 287-4471 or DSN 737-4471 or email FHRelocation@hood.army.mil.

ACS Relocation Readiness is proud to offer its Sponsor a Spouse Sponsorship Program for all incoming spouses. This program helps minimize problems associated with arriving in a new community, assess needs of newcomer families, provide the right information at the right time, tailor the service, and be responsive to the customer and to identify at risk families for services. A Sponsor a Spouse card is available in the Relocation Office and various locations throughout the post to register spouses and assess their need for services. Off post family members can obtain sponsorship by contacting the relocation office by telephone or email FHRelocation@hood.army.mil. This card lists services associated with the move. During the initial counseling process a checklist is utilized to help minimize problems associated with relocation to a new duty station. Information given consists of a Welcome CD, Lending Closet, Settling-In Information, Financial Assistance, Parenting/Stress Management, Foreign-Born Spouse, Army Family Team Building, Exceptional Family Member, Employment Referral, Child and Youth Services, School Liaison, and Volunteer Referral. This program helps ensure newcomer spouses have a positive first impression and arrive feeling like members of the Great Team.

Youth Sponsorship is a way to match up relocating military youth with youth already living at the Great Place. Sponsors will answer their questions, send them information, give them a tour once they arrive, and assist them in making new friends. No one knows a place better from a military youth's perspective than one already living here. All Fort Hood youth centers and school-age programs have center/site Ambassadors that serve in this capacity. For further information visit the Child & Youth Services information in Contacts/links.

TEMPORARY LODGING

All soldiers PCSing to Fort Hood must call the GOARMY1 or Fort Hood Lodging phone numbers listed in contact links to make a reservation. Priority reservations are for TDY and PCS and are on a space available basis. If space is not available the Soldier will be issued a statement of non availability authorizing them to stay off post in hotels/motels listed in contacts/links.

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE

Army Community Service Relocation Readiness Program, phone number (254) 287-4471 offers a variety of relocation assistance services and resources to eliminate the stress associated with relocating. Soldiers processing into Ft Hood attend a Newcomer's brief as part of their in processing through 21st Replacement Detachment. The Lending Closet has basic household items available for Soldiers and families arriving or leaving Fort Hood while their household goods are in transit. Please bring a copy of assignment orders and an ID Card. Spouses can also obtain all the information needed through our Sponsor a Spouse program mentioned previously in the sponsorship paragraph.

CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION

Fort Hood is a secure post and all Soldiers, family members, Civilians, and their guests must obtain an access pass to enter all Fort Hood access points. Please visit the Marvin Leath Visitor Center found in contact links for the details. Fort Hood regulations prohibit the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle and encourage the use of a hands-free device.

In an effort to streamline the Passport application process, the Family Travel Section, located in Room A209, Building 18010 in the Copeland Soldier Service Center will not handle passport photos for official travel. This service will provide Soldiers and family members one stop processing for passport service.

Location
Distance	Direction	Town/area
50 miles	SW of	Waco, TX
60 miles	NE of	Austin, TX
150 miles	NE of	San Antonio, TX
160 miles	S of	Dallas, TX
180 miles	SE of	Abilene, TX
180 miles	NW of	Houston, TX
230 miles	S of	Wichita Falls, TX/OK border
275 miles	NE of	Del Rio, TX/Mexico border
245 miles	SW of	Marshall, TX/LA border
280 miles	SW of	Texarkana, TX/Arkansas border
280 miles	NE of	Laredo, TX/Mexico border
290 miles	W of	Orange, TX/LA border
315 miles	E of	Midland-Odessa, TX
340 miles	SE of	Lubbock, TX
385 miles	N of	Brownsville, TX/Mexico border
425 miles	SE of	Amarillo, TX
575 miles	E of	El Paso, TX/New Mexico border

Must Know Items

Army Community Service Director	Hood Road 761st Tank Battalion Ave. Rivers Building 121 Fort Hood, TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 287-4199 Fax: (254) 287-8428 DSN: 737-4199 DSN Fax: 737-8428 URL: http://www.hoodmwr.com/acs/index.html URL: http://www.myarmylifetoo.com/skins/malt/home.aspx?AllowSSL=t rue%2ctrue Please contact the ACS Administration Assistant for quality service.
Fort Hood Homepage	URL: http://www.hood.army.mil/fthood/ Go to this website for information about weather, in processing, local news, BOSS programs,Chaplain services, useful numbers, customer service feedback (ICE), MWR recreation events, retirement, legal assistance, medical, and training
Inprocessing	Battalion Ave. Bldg 18010 Copeland Soldier Service Center Fort Hood, TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 287-3832 Phone: (254) 287-7990 Fax: (254) 287-3146 DSN: 737-3832 URL: http://www.hood.army.mil/corpsg1/reporting_in.htm Inprocessing soldiers report to the Copeland Soldier Service Center and should plan to arrive through Fort Hood Road main gate entrance. The gate is located off of U.S. HWY 190. If you arrive in the area via Killeen/Fort Hood Regional Airport, ground transportation is available to Fort Hood. If you need help at the airport contact the Liaison NCO located in the baggage claim area.
Mailing Address	761st Tank Battalion Ave Rivers Building 121 Fort Hood, TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 287-4471 Fax: (254) 287-6902 DSN: 737-4471 DSN Fax: 737-6902 Email: Michelle.Jenkins@hood.army.mil ATTN: DMWR-ACS-Relocation Readiness Program
Package Delivery Address	761st Tank Battalion Ave Corner of Hood Road Rivers Building 121 Fort Hood, TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 287-4471 Fax: (254) 287-6902 DSN: 737-4471 DSN Fax: 737-6902 Email: fhrelocation@hood.army.mil Attn: ACS-Relocation Readiness Program, Suite 124A
Relocation Assistants	Hood Road 761st Tank Battalion Rivers Building 121 Fort Hood , TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 287-4471 Phone: (254) 287-8595 Fax: (254) 287-6902 DSN: 737-4471 DSN Fax: 737-6902 Email: Ronald.Allen3@hood.army.mil URL: http://www.hood.army.mil/acs/rrb.html URL: http://www.myarmylifetoo.com George Butry, Ronald Allen, Rodney Lopez, and Michelle Jenkins
Relocation Readiness Branch Manager	Hood Road 761st Tank Battalion Avenue Rivers Building 121 Fort Hood, TX 76544-5024 Phone: (254) 286-6780 Phone: (254) 287-4471 Fax: (254) 287-6902 DSN: 566-6780 DSN Fax: 566-6902 Email: Shirley.A.Quick@us.army.mil Email: Ronald.Allen3@hood.army.mil URL: http://www.hoodmwr.com/acs/rrb.html URL: http://www.myarmylifetoo.com/ Shirley A Quick