FORT LEAVENWORTH
ARMY
Leavenworth, KS
United States
FORT LEAVENWORTH
ARMY
Leavenworth, KS
United States
Fort Leavenworth
Intellectual Center of the Army
Base Essentials
Home of the Command and General Staff College — the Army's principal school for mid-career officers in a small historic city on the Missouri River near Kansas City.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
TRADOC
Status
Active
Est.
1827
Acres
5,600
Active Duty
4,000
Civilian
3,000
Population
100,000
Economic Impact
$1.3 billion
Fort Leavenworth History
Named AfterColonel Henry Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth in Leavenworth, Kansas, was established in 1827 and is the oldest active Army installation west of the Mississippi. It has served as a frontier outpost, a key stop on the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, and a center for Army education. Today it is home to the Combined Arms Center, the Command and General Staff College, and the United States Disciplinary Barracks — the military's only maximum-security prison. Fort Leavenworth is the intellectual center of the Army, where mid-career officers develop the doctrine and leadership skills needed for senior command.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Combined Arms Center
—
—
Command and General Staff College
—
—
U.S. Disciplinary Barracks
—
—
Historic Timeline
1827
Established by Colonel Henry Leavenworth
1866
10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) Organized
1881
Army School of Application Founded
1895
U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks Established
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1827
Established by Colonel Henry Leavenworth
Colonel Henry Leavenworth and the 3rd Infantry established the post in 1827 to protect the Santa Fe Trail, making it the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas and one of the oldest continuously active Army posts west of the Mississippi.
1866
10th Cavalry (Buffalo Soldiers) Organized
The 10th Cavalry Regiment was organized at Fort Leavenworth in 1866 under Colonel Benjamin Grierson, one of the original Buffalo Soldier regiments and a landmark moment in the integration of Black soldiers into the regular Army.
1881
Army School of Application Founded
General William T. Sherman established the School of Application for Infantry and Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth in 1881, which evolved through several name changes into the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in 1947.
1895
U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks Established
The U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks — the only maximum-security military prison in the United States — was established at Fort Leavenworth in 1895 and remains in operation today, housing military prisoners from all branches of service.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Leavenworth.
Fort Leavenworth Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Leavenworth.
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 Leavenworth.
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Fort Leavenworth: In-Depth Welcome Center
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Leavenworth.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Soldiers' Support Center — Directorate of Human Resources
Phone
(913) 684-5514Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Combined Arms Center (CGSC/CAC) students and personnel report to Room 140, Building 198, 600 Thomas Avenue. Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Wed 12:00 – 4:30 PM.
All other units: contact your gaining unit directly for in-processing checklist and report date.
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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 Leavenworth.
On-post housing at Fort Leavenworth is managed by Frontier Heritage Communities and offers 3–5 bedroom homes in single-family and duplex configurations. The USD 207 school district — exclusively serving on-post families — is a significant draw for families with school-age children. Families living off-post typically reside in Leavenworth city (adjacent to post) or t…
Local Market
$1,250/mo
rent
/
$230,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Fort Leavenworth
85
15% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Leavenworth.
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
Coming soon
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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 Leavenworth sits in Leavenworth County, Kansas, on the Missouri River bluffs about 25 miles northwest of Kansas City. The post is home to the Command and General Staff College and has a strong senior-officer culture. Families choose between the historic Leavenworth community adjacent to post, nearby Kansas City-metro suburbs, and smaller communities like Lansing and Basehor.
Leavenworth
Small Town
Leavenworth is the historic city directly adjacent to the post and the most popular community for Command and General Staff College students and assigned families. It has a genuine small-city character with a walkable downtown, a mix of older and newer housing, and excellent access to post. Most families assigned to Leavenworth live here given the relatively short tour length — typically one or two years for CGSC.
Commute: 5–15 min
Gate: Main Gate (Sherman Gate)
Schools: Leavenworth USD 453
Families with kids
Single service members
Retirees
The Missouri River bluffs give Leavenworth surprisingly dramatic scenery. Downtown has local restaurants and shops. Kansas City is 30 min south for all major metro amenities. One of the most intellectually stimulating assignments in the Army.
Lansing
Suburban
Lansing is a growing suburb just south of Leavenworth with newer housing stock, good schools, and a quieter residential character. It's a practical choice for families who want more modern homes and slightly lower prices than Leavenworth proper while still maintaining a short post commute. The community is family-oriented and has been expanding steadily.
Commute: 10–20 min
Gate: Main Gate (Sherman Gate)
Schools: Lansing USD 469
Families with kids
Budget-friendly
Dual military
Newer construction gives better home quality for the price compared to older Leavenworth housing. Strong community feel with parks and family-oriented activities. Easy Kansas City access for weekend entertainment.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Leavenworth.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Kansas taxes active duty base pay of Kansas residents (home of record = KS) at rates of 5.20%–5.58%. Combat zone pay is…
Spouse Income Tax
Nonresident military spouses accompanying a service member stationed in Kansas are exempt from Kansas income tax on wage…
Vehicle Registration
Active duty Kansas residents absent from the state due to military orders may exempt up to two motor vehicles from perso…
Property Tax
Kansas offers property tax relief for disabled veterans at the county level. 100% permanently and totally disabled veter…
Pet Policies at Fort Leavenworth
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Leavenworth.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Leavenworth Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(913) 684-6510Hours
Mon–Fri (call to confirm current schedule)
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 Leavenworth.
Commissary
1
Fort Leavenworth Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
PX
Medical
1
Munson Army Health Center — Clinic
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 Leavenworth.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Grant Avenue Gate is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
Is there a commissary on base?
Yes, Fort Leavenworth Commissary is on-base and open to all authorized DoD ID card holders.
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03
Is there a PX on base?
Yes, Fort Leavenworth 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?
Munson Army Health Center is the primary military treatment clinic serving Fort Leavenworth. Call (913) 684-6000 for appointments or the nurse advice line.
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05
Is there a childcare center on base?
Yes, Fort Leavenworth 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 Leavenworth 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, Fort Leavenworth Dog Park is a fenced off-leash dog park available to residents at Fort Leavenworth.
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08
Is there a gym on base?
Yes, Fort Leavenworth 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 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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10
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 Leavenworth.
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11
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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12
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 Leavenworth.
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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.