FORT IRWIN
ARMY
Fort Irwin, CA
United States
FORT IRWIN
ARMY
Fort Irwin, CA
United States
Fort Irwin
Home of the National Training Center
Base Essentials
The National Training Center in California's Mojave Desert — truly remote with limited off-post options, but the Army's premier combat readiness testing ground with generous BAH for the high desert.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
TRADOC
Status
Active
Est.
1940
Acres
642,000
Active Duty
5,000
Civilian
2,000
Population
25,000
Economic Impact
$1 billion
Fort Irwin History
Named AfterMajor General George LeRoy Irwin
Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert of California was established in 1940 as a desert training area. Today it is home to the National Training Center, one of the Army's premier combat training centers. Brigade combat teams rotate through realistic force-on-force and live-fire exercises against a dedicated opposing force that replicates near-peer adversary tactics. The NTC's vast desert terrain allows for large-scale maneuver training that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Fort Irwin continues to evolve its training scenarios to prepare units for great-power competition and multi-domain operations.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
National Training Center
—
—
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (OPFOR)
—
—
Historic Timeline
1940
Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range Established
President Roosevelt issued an executive order in August 1940 withdrawing approximately 1,000 square miles of Mojave Desert to establish a wartime anti-aircraft range. The site supported early WWII air defense and armored training.
1942
Renamed Camp Irwin; Desert Training Center
The range was renamed Camp Irwin in 1942 in honor of Major General George LeRoy Irwin, and incorporated into the Army's Desert Training Center to prepare armored units for combat in North Africa.
1980
National Training Center Activated
The National Training Center was officially activated on October 16, 1980, after Fort Irwin was selected as the NTC site in 1979. Fort Irwin returned to active Regular Army status on July 1, 1981, making it the Army's premier combat training center.
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(3)
1940
Mojave Anti-Aircraft Range Established
President Roosevelt issued an executive order in August 1940 withdrawing approximately 1,000 square miles of Mojave Desert to establish a wartime anti-aircraft range. The site supported early WWII air defense and armored training.
1942
Renamed Camp Irwin; Desert Training Center
The range was renamed Camp Irwin in 1942 in honor of Major General George LeRoy Irwin, and incorporated into the Army's Desert Training Center to prepare armored units for combat in North Africa.
1980
National Training Center Activated
The National Training Center was officially activated on October 16, 1980, after Fort Irwin was selected as the NTC site in 1979. Fort Irwin returned to active Regular Army status on July 1, 1981, making it the Army's premier combat training center.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Irwin.
Fort Irwin Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Irwin.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Fort Irwin.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Irwin.
Soldier and Family Readiness Center — Relocation Readiness / In-Processing
Phone
(760) 380-3594Hours
Mon–Fri, 0800–1630
In-Processing
Report to the AG Replacement Detachment at Building 312, 1st Street, Fort Irwin, CA 92310. Phone: (760) 380-4195.
A mandatory Newcomers Briefing is held every Friday at NTC Replacement. Temporary lodging for unaccompanied E1–E6 personnel is provided by the Replacement Detachment during the in-processing cycle.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Fort Irwin.
On-post housing at Fort Irwin is managed by The Villages at Fort Irwin, operated by Michaels Management Services, with 10 neighborhoods and nearly 50 floor plans covering 3–4 bedroom single-family homes, townhomes, and duplexes. Due to the extreme desert isolation, approximately 90% of families live on-post. Families who choose to live off-post typically reside in B…
Local Market
$1,200/mo
rent
/
$230,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Fort Irwin
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Irwin.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
Elementary Schools
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Middle Schools
Coming soon
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High Schools
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Colleges & Universities
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Irwin is one of the most remote Army installations in the continental United States, located in the Mojave Desert north of Barstow, California. The nearest significant city is Barstow, about 35 miles away, and the next-tier option is the Victor Valley (Victorville/Apple Valley/Hesperia) roughly 75 miles south. Most families with children live on post; off-post choices involve significant driving.
Barstow
Small Town
Barstow is the closest city to Fort Irwin and the primary off-post community for families stationed at the NTC. It sits 37 miles from the installation on I-15 and is a classic high-desert transportation hub — not glamorous, but it has a Walmart, a few chain restaurants, and functional housing. Families who live off-post at Irwin almost universally live in Barstow; there are no other real options close by.
Commute: 35–45 min
Gate: Main Gate (Fort Irwin Road)
Schools: Barstow Unified School District
Budget-friendly
Families with kids
Single service members
Route 66 history and Calico Ghost Town are the main local attractions. Mojave National Preserve is surprisingly beautiful for camping and hiking. Most families at the NTC live on-post given the commute distance — Barstow is for those who strongly prefer off-post living.
Apple Valley / Victorville
Suburban
The Apple Valley and Victorville area in the Victor Valley is about 60 miles from Fort Irwin but offers dramatically better quality of life than Barstow. Larger suburban communities, better schools, more retail, and a more normal California suburban lifestyle. Families who make this choice typically see it as a quality-of-life investment despite the long commute.
Commute: 60–75 min
Gate: Main Gate (Fort Irwin Road)
Schools: Apple Valley Unified / Victor Valley USD
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Retirees
Significantly better quality of life and schools than Barstow. Victor Valley Mall and growing retail corridor in Victorville. Access to Big Bear Lake for skiing and recreation. Most viable option for families who prioritize lifestyle over commute time.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Irwin.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Partially exempt
Retirement Pay
Partially exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
California taxes active duty pay of California residents stationed within California at rates up to 13.3% — the highest…
Spouse Income Tax
Nonresident military spouses accompanying a service member stationed in California, who share the same domicile and move…
Vehicle Registration
California does not exempt active duty military from vehicle sales tax or registration fees. Veterans with a 100% VA dis…
Property Tax
Veterans' Exemption: up to $4,000 assessed value reduction for qualifying veterans with limited property. Disabled Veter…
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Pet Policies at Fort Irwin
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Irwin.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Irwin Veterinary Clinic
Phone
(760) 380-3025Hours
Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM; by appointment only
Restricted Breeds
7
Prohibited Animals
13
Dog Parks
1
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Irwin.
Commissary
1
Fort Irwin Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
PX
Medical
1
Weed Army Community Hospital — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
2
Fitness Center
Outdoor Rec
Employment & Education
3
Education Center
Spouse Employment
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Irwin.
01
Are the base gates open 24 hours?
All 2 gates at Fort Irwin 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
Is there a commissary on base?
Yes, Fort Irwin Commissary is on-base and open to all authorized DoD ID card holders. Hours: Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10:30am–7pm.
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03
Is there a PX on base?
Yes, Fort Irwin has a PX (Post Exchange) offering tax-free shopping for authorized ID card holders.
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04
What is the base hospital or clinic?
Weed Army Community Hospital is the primary military treatment hospital serving Fort Irwin. Call (760) 380-3108 for appointments or the nurse advice line.
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05
Is there a childcare center on base?
Yes, Fort Irwin has a Child Development Center (CDC) offering full-day and part-day programs. Waitlists fill quickly — register at MilitaryChildCare.com as soon as orders are received.
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06
Are there pet breed restrictions on base?
Yes, on-base housing at Fort Irwin restricts certain breeds including Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Rottweiler, and others. Contact the housing office or review your lease addendum for the full restricted breeds list.
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07
Is there a dog park on base?
Yes, Blue Track Dog Park is a fenced off-leash dog park available to residents at Fort Irwin.
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08
Is there a gym on base?
Yes, Fort Irwin has a fitness center available free of charge to active-duty, Reserve, and retired members and their eligible family members. Contact MWR for current hours and locations.
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09
How is military pay taxed in California?
Partially exempt. See the Finance section of this page for a full breakdown of California's tax rules for military members.
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10
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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11
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 Irwin.
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12
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.
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13
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 Irwin.
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Data & Methodology
The information on this page is compiled through a combination of sources. We reference official U.S. Department of Defense publications, branch directives, and installation command websites on a regular cadence to ensure accuracy across policy, regulation, and operational data. Where relevant, we supplement that foundation with credible auxiliary resources, including verified government agencies, military support organizations, and established partners with direct ties to the installation community.
Our editorial team includes past and present military personnel who review and contribute firsthand knowledge — ensuring what you read reflects the real experience of military life, not just what's written in a regulation.
MyBaseGuide is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the U.S. Department of Defense, any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, or any government agency. Information is provided for general reference and updated periodically. It may not reflect the most recent changes to installation policy or command decisions. Always confirm time-sensitive details directly with your gaining installation.