FORT RUCKER
ARMY
Ozark, AL
United States
FORT RUCKER
ARMY
Ozark, AL
United States
Fort Rucker
Home of Army Aviation
Base Essentials
Home of Army Aviation and the flight school that trains every Army aviator, Fort Novosel sits in southeast Alabama near Dothan — a small-town posting with a tight aviation community and excellent flying weather.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
TRADOC
Status
Active
Est.
1942
Acres
64,500
Active Duty
5,000
Civilian
4,000
Population
50,000
Economic Impact
$1.8 billion
Fort Rucker History
Named AfterColonel Edmund Winchester Rucker (Confederate)
Fort Rucker in southeastern Alabama was established in 1942 and became the "Home of Army Aviation." Renamed Fort Novosel in 2023 in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Novosel, a Medal of Honor recipient, replacing its Confederate namesake, it is home to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. Virtually every Army rotary-wing pilot receives initial training at the installation. Fort Novosel is central to the Army's Future Vertical Lift initiative and will play a key role in transitioning to next-generation aircraft including the FLRAA tiltrotor.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Army Aviation Center of Excellence
—
—
1st Aviation Brigade
—
—
Historic Timeline
1942
Camp Rucker Established for WWII Training
1955
Army Aviation Center Established
1973
Consolidated as Sole Army Aviation Training Base
2023
Redesignated Fort Novosel
—
View Key Moments
(4)
1942
Camp Rucker Established for WWII Training
Camp Rucker opened on May 1, 1942, as an infantry training installation in Alabama. The 81st Infantry Division was among the first units to train there before deploying to the Pacific Theater in 1943.
1955
Army Aviation Center Established
The Army Aviation School completed its move to Alabama in 1954, and on February 1, 1955, the Army Aviation Center was officially established, making the installation the permanent home of Army aviation training.
1973
Consolidated as Sole Army Aviation Training Base
All U.S. Army Aviation training was consolidated at Fort Rucker by 1973, making it the exclusive training ground for Army aviators, including pilots from allied nations and other U.S. service branches.
2023
Redesignated Fort Novosel
On April 10, 2023, the installation was redesignated Fort Novosel in honor of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel Sr., a Medal of Honor recipient who flew numerous medevac missions in Vietnam and rescued 29 soldiers in a single day.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Rucker.
Fort Rucker Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Rucker.
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 Rucker.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Rucker.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Southernmost Army Welcome Center — Army Community Service
Phone
(334) 255-2769Hours
Mon–Fri, 0730–1630
In-Processing
Report to the Cribbins Soldier Service Center, Building 5700, Room 280, Novosel Street during duty hours (Mon–Fri 7:30 AM – 4:15 PM).
For after-hours arrivals, report to the IHG Army Hotel or Candlewood Suites for temporary lodging, then report to your unit the next duty day.
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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 Rucker.
On-post housing at Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) is managed by Corvias Military Living and includes single-family homes and townhomes across multiple neighborhoods. The DoDEA-operated school (Ellis D. Parker Elementary) serves on-post children through grade 6; middle and high school students attend off-post schools. Off-post, military families most commonly se…
Local Market
$1,050/mo
rent
/
$195,000
avg. home
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Fort Rucker
78
22% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Rucker.
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 Rucker — recently renamed Fort Novosel — is the Army's center of aviation excellence, located in the Wiregrass region of southeast Alabama near Enterprise and Daleville. The surrounding area is rural, affordable, and warm year-round. Dothan, 30 minutes southeast, provides the closest metro-level amenities. Most aviation students rotate through for 12–18 months before moving to operational assignments.
Enterprise
Small Town
Enterprise is the most popular community for Fort Novosel families and the most developed city in the area. It has a solid commercial corridor, decent schools, and a range of housing options that work for most pay grades. It's a quintessential small Southern military town — not flashy, but genuinely warm and functional. The city has embraced its military heritage and the community is tight-knit.
Commute: 15–20 min
Gate: Main Gate (Hwy 84)
Schools: Enterprise City Schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Single service members
Boll Weevil Monument is the quirky local landmark. Dothan is 30 min for more shopping and dining. Alabama's low cost of living makes Enterprise an excellent financial posting for families building savings.
Daleville
Small Town
Daleville is a small community sitting directly outside Fort Novosel's main gate — essentially the base's shadow city. It's almost entirely oriented around supporting the installation, with minimal standalone amenities, but gate access is unmatched. Ideal for warrant officer candidates and other short-training populations, or anyone who wants the shortest possible commute.
Commute: 3–8 min
Gate: Main Gate (Hwy 84)
Schools: Dale County Schools
Single service members
Budget-friendly
Dual military
Maximum gate proximity makes this the choice for those who want zero commute friction. Lower rents than Enterprise. A short drive to Enterprise or Dothan covers all major needs.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Rucker.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully taxed
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Alabama taxes active duty base pay of Alabama residents (home of record = AL) at graduated rates up to 5%. Military allo…
Spouse Income Tax
Nonresident military spouses accompanying a service member stationed in Alabama, who share the same state of domicile, a…
Vehicle Registration
National Guard members are exempt from privilege/license tax and registration fees on one vehicle. Nonresident service m…
Property Tax
100% permanently and totally disabled veterans receive a full property tax exemption on their primary residence (not exc…
Pet Policies at Fort Rucker
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Rucker.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Novosel Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(334) 255-9061Hours
Mon–Wed 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (call to confirm full week schedule)
Restricted Breeds
6
Prohibited Animals
13
Dog Parks
1
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Leash Laws
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Rucker.
Commissary
1
Fort Novosel Commissary
Click2Go Available
Exchange
PX
Medical
1
Lyster Army Health Clinic — 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 Rucker.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Daleville 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 Novosel Commissary is on-base and open to all authorized DoD ID card holders. Hours: Mon 9am–6pm, Tue–Fri 8:30am–7pm.
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03
Is there a PX on base?
Yes, Fort Rucker 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?
Lyster Army Health Clinic is the primary military treatment clinic serving Fort Rucker. Call (800) 261-7193 for appointments or the nurse advice line.
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05
Is there a childcare center on base?
Yes, Fort Rucker 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 Rucker 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 Novosel Bark Park is a fenced off-leash dog park available to residents at Fort Rucker.
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08
Is there a gym on base?
Yes, Fort Rucker 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 Rucker.
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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 Rucker.
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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.