FORT HAMILTON
ARMY
Brooklyn, NY
United States
FORT HAMILTON
ARMY
Brooklyn, NY
United States
Fort Hamilton
Base Essentials
The Army's only active installation in New York City, Fort Hamilton is a small administrative post in Brooklyn — limited on-post housing, but unmatched access to everything NYC offers.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
IMCOM
Status
Active
Est.
1831
Acres
170
Active Duty
—
Civilian
—
Population
8,300,000
Economic Impact
—
Fort Hamilton History
Named AfterMajor General Alexander Hamilton
Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, is one of the oldest Army installations in continuous operation, dating to 1831. It guards the Narrows at the entrance to New York Harbor and played a role in harbor defense through multiple wars. Today it functions primarily as a garrison and administrative installation, serving as the headquarters for the Army's New York City Recruiting Battalion and providing support services to military personnel in the greater New York area. Notable figures including Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson served there before the Civil War.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
1188th Deployment Support Brigade
—
—
New York City Recruiting Battalion
—
—
Historic Timeline
1825
Fort Hamilton Cornerstone Laid
1841
Robert E. Lee Assigned as Post Engineer
1917
WWI Soldier Processing Center
1944
Over Three Million WWII Troops Processed
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1825
Fort Hamilton Cornerstone Laid
The cornerstone for Fort Hamilton was set on June 11, 1825, designed by former Napoleonic engineer Simon Bernard to guard the Narrows entrance to New York Harbor. The first permanent garrison arrived in 1831.
1841
Robert E. Lee Assigned as Post Engineer
Captain Robert E. Lee was assigned to Fort Hamilton as post engineer in 1841, one of several future Civil War generals who served at the installation during the antebellum period.
1917
WWI Soldier Processing Center
Fort Hamilton became a major processing point for hundreds of thousands of American soldiers departing for France during World War I, establishing its role as the Army's primary gateway in the New York metropolitan area.
1944
Over Three Million WWII Troops Processed
During World War II, more than three million soldiers were processed through the New York Port of Embarkation at Fort Hamilton for transport to Europe, making it the busiest military embarkation point on the East Coast.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Hamilton.
Fort Hamilton Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Hamilton.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Hamilton.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Hamilton.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Military Personnel Division (MPD) — In-Processing Center
Phone
(718) 630-4245Hours
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri: 0800–1200 and 1315–1600; Thu: 1315–1600
In-Processing
All incoming personnel must first visit the Visitor's Center at 101st Street and Sterling Drive (near the Main Gate) to obtain a visitor pass before proceeding anywhere else on post. Military personnel then report to Building 114, White Avenue, during published duty hours for in-processing. Fort Hamilton is the only active Army installation in New York City, located in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn.
In-processing at Building 114 includes personnel records processing, finance assistance, an Alcohol and Drug Prevention briefing, and an Army Community Service briefing. Civilian employees report to the Directorate of Human Resources at the same address. Attendance at the mandatory Newcomer's Orientation is command policy; the date appears on each Soldier's in-processing checklist.
Fort Hamilton's small permanent party population means in-processing is more personalized than at larger posts. Spouses and family members are invited to attend the Newcomer's Orientation. ACS can be reached at (718) 630-4752 or (718) 630-4754 for relocation assistance and area resources.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Hamilton.
Fort Hamilton is the only active U.S. Army installation in New York City, located in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn at the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. On-post family housing is extremely limited given the installation's small footprint in an urban environment. Most personnel live off-post throughout the greater New York metro area. BAH rates for t…
Local Market
$3,500/mo
rent
/
$900,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Hamilton
185
85% Above National Average
Housing
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See what you can afford using your rank, BAH, and local market data.
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Hamilton.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
2
High Schools
View schools
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Hamilton occupies the southwest tip of Brooklyn at the entrance to New York Harbor. It is the only active military installation in New York City. Families face the full complexity of New York City housing — some of the highest rents and home prices in the nation — but gain access to the world's greatest city. BAH rates for Fort Hamilton are among the highest in the Army.
Bay Ridge
Urban
The neighborhood immediately surrounding Fort Hamilton, Bay Ridge is a diverse and residential section of Brooklyn with a strong Italian-American and Arab-American heritage. The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE) and the R subway line provide commute options into Manhattan. Brownstones and mid-rise apartment buildings dominate the housing stock. NYC public school quality varies widely by zone.
Commute: 5 min
Schools: NYC Department of Education
Families with kids
Single service members
Retirees
Walking distance to post, vibrant neighborhood character, Verrazano Bridge views, Shore Parkway waterfront
Staten Island
Urban
Many Fort Hamilton families choose Staten Island for more space at lower prices than Brooklyn. The Staten Island Ferry provides a scenic and free connection to Lower Manhattan. Several Staten Island neighborhoods near the Verrazano offer suburban-feeling housing and good public school options. The commute to Fort Hamilton via the bridge is typically 15–20 minutes by car.
Commute: 18 min
Schools: NYC Department of Education / Staten Island schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
More space for the money than Brooklyn, free ferry to Manhattan, some of the better NYC school options
Jersey City / Bayonne (NJ)
Urban
Across the harbor in New Jersey, Jersey City and Bayonne offer still-lower housing costs than NYC boroughs, access to PATH trains, and NJ Transit connections. New Jersey has different tax implications than New York. The commute to Fort Hamilton via the Bayonne Bridge or by transit runs 25–40 minutes. Some military families land here for the extra square footage and slightly lower cost of living.
Commute: 30 min
Schools: Jersey City Public Schools / Bayonne Public Schools
Families with kids
Dual military
Budget-friendly
Lower costs than NYC boroughs, PATH train access, larger apartments and homes, NJ state tax advantages
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Hamilton.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
New York fully exempts active duty military pay from New York State income tax for New York legal residents under N.Y. T…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside New York for New York income tax purposes. A qua…
Vehicle Registration
New York charges sales tax on vehicle purchases (4% state + county rates). Military members who are not New York legal r…
Property Tax
New York property taxes vary dramatically by county. Orange County (West Point), Jefferson County (Fort Drum), and Kings…
Pet Policies at Fort Hamilton
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Hamilton.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Hamilton.
Commissary
1
Fort Hamilton Commissary
Exchange
PX
Mon 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Tue–Sat 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
Ainsworth Army Health Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Hamilton.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 1 gates at Fort Hamilton operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Access levels vary by gate — some are restricted to military and DoD ID holders only.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Fort Hamilton.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
Read answer
05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Fort Hamilton.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.