FORT RILEY
ARMY
Junction City, KS
United States
FORT RILEY
ARMY
Junction City, KS
United States
Fort Riley
Home of the Big Red One
Base Essentials
Home of the 1st Infantry Division — the Big Red One — in the Flint Hills of Kansas near Junction City, a classic plains Army post with affordable housing and strong outdoor lifestyle.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
FORSCOM
Status
Active
Est.
1853
Acres
101,000
Active Duty
18,000
Civilian
5,000
Population
130,000
Economic Impact
$3 billion
Fort Riley History
Named AfterBrevet Brigadier General Bennett C. Riley
Fort Riley near Junction City, Kansas, was established in 1853 to protect westward expansion along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails. It served as the home of the U.S. Cavalry School and later the famous "Big Red One" — the 1st Infantry Division, which is headquartered there today. The installation offers extensive training ranges across the Kansas Flint Hills. Fort Riley continues to serve as a major maneuver installation and deployment platform for the 1st Infantry Division and its associated units.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
1st Infantry Division
—
—
Historic Timeline
1853
Fort Riley Established on the Smoky Hill River
1918
89th Infantry Division Trains for WWI
1965
1st Infantry Division Deploys to Vietnam
1991
1st Infantry Division in Operation Desert Storm
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1853
Fort Riley Established on the Smoky Hill River
Fort Riley was established on a limestone bluff above the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers in Kansas Territory to protect settlers and wagon trains along the Santa Fe and Oregon trails. Named after Maj. Gen. Bennett Riley, the fort became a critical outpost in the U.S. Army's post-Civil War frontier campaign on the southern plains.
1918
89th Infantry Division Trains for WWI
The 89th Infantry Division ("Rolling W") trained at Fort Riley before deploying to France during World War I. The division distinguished itself in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive — the largest American military operation in history at that time — and helped break the German lines in the final weeks of the war.
1965
1st Infantry Division Deploys to Vietnam
The 1st Infantry Division ("Big Red One") deployed from Fort Riley to the Republic of Vietnam, becoming one of the first major Army divisions to enter the conflict. The division conducted sustained combat operations in III Corps for nearly five years, including the Battle of Bong Son and the Tet Offensive.
1991
1st Infantry Division in Operation Desert Storm
Fort Riley units including the 1st Infantry Division deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm. The "Big Red One" breached Iraqi and Kuwaiti defensive lines during the 100-hour ground war, driving through the Saddam Line and helping liberate Kuwait City.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Riley.
Fort Riley Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Riley.
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 Riley.
Entertainment Old
Why Is the 1st Infantry Division Called "The Big Red One?"
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Fort Riley iSportsman Is Your One-Stop Shop for Outdoor Recreation
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23 of the Best Fort Riley, Kansas Restaurants
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Fort Riley Housing: 5 On-Post Options
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The Best Fort Riley Schools: Daycare - High School
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Riley.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
1st ID Victory Reception Company
Phone
(785) 239-2119Hours
24/7 (ACS: Mon–Thu 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
In-Processing
All Soldiers PCSing to Fort Riley report to the 1st ID Victory Reception Company Staff Duty desk at Building 210, 210 Custer Avenue on Main Post. The Staff Duty desk operates 24/7, including holidays, and can be reached at (785) 239-2119. Arrive in OCPs during duty hours (0800–1700). Bring copies of IPPS-A leave forms, assignment orders, military ID, ID tags, and full PT uniforms (summer and winter). MEDDAC, DENTAC, CID, and mobilized reservists have separate in-processing procedures.
In-processing takes approximately 5 to 8 working days. Day One begins the first duty day after sign-in — report no later than 0630 to the rear of Building 208 in PT uniform. Day One briefings begin at 0900 in Room 122A. All Soldiers must attend the mandatory 1ID Victory Welcome held every Wednesday, 1:00–4:00 PM at the Riley Conference Center, with briefings from on- and off-post agencies and remarks from the Division Command Team. The afternoon is open to spouses and children. A PCS Social is held Wednesdays 5:30–7:00 PM at the USO.
Army Community Service (ACS) at 7264 Normandy Drive, Building 690 ((785) 239-9435) offers the Relocation Readiness Program including a Lending Closet that loans household items — kitchenware, cots, car seats, folding tables, chairs, and infant/toddler pack-and-play kits — for up to 45 days. ACS also provides newcomer orientation, financial readiness counseling, Employment Readiness, EFMP, and Family Advocacy support. The Relocation Office can be reached at (785) 239-5739.
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Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
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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 Riley.
On-post housing at Fort Riley is managed by Corvias Military Living, which operates family communities across the installation on the rolling plains of north-central Kansas with 2- to 4-bedroom homes organized by rank and family size. Corvias maintains 24/7 maintenance support, community centers, playgrounds, and an online resident portal for applications and commun…
Local Market
$1,000/mo
rent
/
$160,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Riley
80
20% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Riley.
School Liaison Officer
Fort Riley School Liaison Services
2
Elementary Schools
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1
Middle Schools
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1
High Schools
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3
Colleges & Universities
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Education Resources
Notes, tuition & more
Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Fort Riley sits in the Flint Hills of north-central Kansas at the confluence of the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers. Junction City, immediately outside the gates, is the primary off-post community. Manhattan (K-State) is 30 minutes east and offers a livelier college-town atmosphere. The region is rural by most standards but surprisingly functional for daily needs.
Junction City
Suburban
Commute: 8 min
Schools: USD 475 Geary County Schools
Most popular off-post community; affordable housing ($160K–$200K median); strong military presence; all amenities within 10 min
Ogden
Suburban
Commute: 5 min
Schools: USD 475 Geary County Schools
Directly adjacent to the installation; very short commute; tight-knit community feel
Grandview Plaza
Suburban
Commute: 3 min
Schools: USD 475 Geary County Schools
Immediately adjacent to base; shortest commute; primarily residential
Manhattan
Urban
Commute: 20 min
Schools: USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools
Home to Kansas State University; higher-rated schools; more dining, retail, and culture; popular with senior NCOs and officers with school-age children
Milford
Rural
Commute: 15 min
Schools: USD 475 Geary County Schools
Small lake community near Milford Lake; quiet rural setting; popular with families seeking more space
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Riley.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
Yes
Military Pay Details
Kansas fully exempts active duty military pay from state income tax under SB 269 (2022), which significantly expanded mi…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Kansas for Kansas income tax purposes. A qualify…
Vehicle Registration
Kansas counties levy an annual vehicle property tax. Military members who are not Kansas legal residents are exempt from…
Property Tax
Kansas has moderate property tax rates set at the county level. Riley County (Fort Riley), Leavenworth County (Fort Leav…
Pet Policies at Fort Riley
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Riley.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Riley Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(785) 239-3886Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Restricted Breeds
6
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Riley.
Commissary
1
Fort Riley Commissary
Exchange
PX
Mon–Fri 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Medical
1
Irwin Army Community Hospital — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Riley.
01
Is there temporary lodging on base?
Yes, Fort Riley has on-post temporary lodging available for incoming PCS personnel and TDY visitors. Reserve early — spaces fill fast during peak PCS season (May through August).
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02
What school district serves the base?
USD 475 Geary County Schools (rated B+ (Niche)) serves most military families at Fort Riley. Visit usd475.org for enrollment info and the school finder tool.
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03
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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04
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 Riley.
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05
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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06
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 Riley.
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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.