FORT SAM HOUSTON
ARMY
San Antonio, TX
United States
FORT SAM HOUSTON
ARMY
San Antonio, TX
United States
Fort Sam Houston
Base Essentials
Welcome to Fort Sam Houston, TX, found in the heart of San Antonio. Otherwise known as Military City USA, the post is home to one of the strongest military communities in the country. Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston was established in 2010 to help better serve the military. While Fort Sam is an Army post, the JBSA network also comprises Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and eight additional areas. Fort Sam Houston has grown from a 40-acre post to around 35,000 acres or 54 square miles, in the northeastern portion of SATX. The Home of Army Medicine is where you’ll find the U.S. Army Medical C...
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
MEDCOM
Status
Active
Est.
1876
Acres
3,000
Active Duty
12,000
Civilian
10,000
Population
2,550,000
Economic Impact
—
Fort Sam Houston History
Named AfterGeneral Sam Houston (also President of the Republic of Texas)
Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, was established in 1876 and has deep ties to Army medicine. It is home to the Army Medical Center of Excellence, Brooke Army Medical Center, and the headquarters of Army Futures Command. The installation is part of Joint Base San Antonio, the Department of Defense's largest joint base. Fort Sam Houston trains the majority of the military's combat medics and medical professionals and houses the Army's military medical command structure. Its central Texas location and deep medical infrastructure make it essential to the military health system.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Army Futures Command (HQ)
—
—
Army Medical Center of Excellence
—
—
Southern Medical Command
—
—
Historic Timeline
1876
Fort Sam Houston Established in San Antonio
1898
Rough Riders Organized Here
1910
First Military Aircraft Flights in Texas
1917
WWI Medical Training Hub
1946
Brooke Army Medical Center Established
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View Key Moments
(5)
1876
Fort Sam Houston Established in San Antonio
The U.S. Army completed the Quadrangle post in San Antonio, Texas — the nucleus of what would become Fort Sam Houston, named for the first President of the Republic of Texas and hero of the Mexican-American War. The fort consolidated Army presence previously scattered across multiple small Texas posts.
1898
Rough Riders Organized Here
Future President Theodore Roosevelt organized and trained his volunteer cavalry regiment — the "Rough Riders" — at Fort Sam Houston before their departure for Cuba during the Spanish-American War. The fort served as the primary mobilization center for U.S. forces deploying to the Caribbean theater.
1910
First Military Aircraft Flights in Texas
Lt. Benjamin Foulois of the Army Signal Corps conducted the first U.S. military aircraft flights in Texas at Fort Sam Houston, teaching himself to fly via correspondence with the Wright Brothers. These flights pioneered the use of aircraft for military reconnaissance and marked the beginning of Army aviation in the Southwest.
1917
WWI Medical Training Hub
Fort Sam Houston became the primary center for medical officer and enlisted training during World War I, establishing the installation's enduring identity as the home of Army medicine. The post trained tens of thousands of medical personnel who served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France.
1946
Brooke Army Medical Center Established
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) was formally established at Fort Sam Houston as the Army's premier medical treatment and research facility. BAMC grew into the Department of Defense's only Level I Trauma Center and the home of the U.S. Army Institute of Surgical Research — the world leader in burn care.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Fort Sam Houston.
Fort Sam Houston Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Fort Sam Houston.
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 Sam Houston.
Information
Fort Sam Houston (JBSA): In-Depth Welcome Center
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Recreation
5 Fun Things to Do Near Fort Sam Houston
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Entertainment
Hidden Gems: The Best Restaurants Near Fort Sam Houston
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Housing
Your Ultimate Guide to Fort Sam Houston Housing
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Military News
Malmstrom AFB PCB Levels Raise Cancer Risk for Missileers
Read
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Fort Sam Houston.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Military & Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) — JBSA-Fort Sam Houston
Phone
(210) 221-2705Hours
Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed 1st & 3rd Thursday from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
In-Processing
Army personnel PCSing to Fort Sam Houston report first to their gaining unit's orderly room (enlisted) or headquarters register (officers) to sign in. Permanent party Soldiers then receive an in-processing appointment at the Military Personnel Division (MPD), Building 2263, Room 312, Stanley Road. Report at 0715 on your scheduled day with PCS orders, DA-31 (signed leave form), assignment memorandum, personnel records (201 file), health and dental records, education transcripts, and pay documents. Contact MPD at (210) 221-9274.
Installation in-processing is conducted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at Building 2263, with out-processing on Tuesday and Thursday. Soldiers typically complete the in-processing checklist over 5 duty days, rotating through Finance, Housing, Security, Vehicle Registration, and Transportation — all co-located in Building 2263. The mandatory Newcomers Orientation briefing is held every other Wednesday (weekly during peak PCS season) at the Gateway Club, 0800–1230.
Enroll at Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) for TRICARE Prime and request a Primary Care Manager — call TriWest at 1-888-TRIWEST or visit milConnect. The DEERS/ID Card office is at Building 4023, 2410 Jessup Road. The M&FRC Relocation Readiness Program at Building 2797 ((210) 221-2705) offers PCS planning consultations, a Lending Locker with free household item loans for up to 30 days, school liaison services, and financial readiness classes.
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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 Sam Houston.
On-post housing at Joint Base San Antonio — Fort Sam Houston is managed by Lendlease, which operates family communities on the historic post in the heart of San Antonio, Texas, with 2- to 4-bedroom homes near JBSA's extensive amenities including Brooke Army Medical Center, schools, and recreational facilities. Lendlease provides 24/7 maintenance support and an onlin…
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Cost of Living Around Fort Sam Houston
88
12% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Fort Sam Houston.
School Liaison Officer
School Liaison Officer
1
Elementary Schools
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2
High Schools
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3
Colleges & Universities
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1
Combined Schools
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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
Stone Oak
Suburban
Commute: 20 min
Schools: North East ISD
North San Antonio; newer construction; excellent NEISD schools; popular with O-4+ and senior NCOs; strong appreciation
Alamo Heights / Terrell Hills
Urban
Commute: 10 min
Schools: Alamo Heights ISD
Historic inner-loop community; closest quality off-post neighborhood; walkable; Alamo Heights ISD highly rated; expensive but strong equity
Universal City / Schertz
Suburban
Commute: 15 min
Schools: Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD (SCUCISD)
Military-heavy northeast suburbs; affordable; newer construction in Cibolo and Schertz; popular with junior enlisted and NCO families
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Fort Sam Houston.
State Income Tax
Military Pay
Retirement Pay
Vehicle Tax
Vehicle Registration
Coming soon
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Property Tax
Coming soon
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Spouse Income Tax
Coming soon
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Combat Zone
Coming soon
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Pet Policies at Fort Sam Houston
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Fort Sam Houston.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Fort Sam Houston Veterinary Treatment Facility
Phone
(210) 295-4265Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Restricted Breeds
5
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
Coming soon
Coming soon
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Fort Sam Houston.
Commissary
1
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Commissary
Exchange
PX
Mon–Fri 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
Brooke Army Medical Center — Hospital
Childcare & Youth
Coming soon
MWR & Recreation
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fort Sam Houston.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Walters 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 temporary lodging on base?
Yes, Fort Sam Houston 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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03
What school district serves the base?
Fort Sam Houston Independent School District (rated A (TEA)) serves most military families at Fort Sam Houston. Visit fshisd.net for enrollment info and the school finder tool.
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04
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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05
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 Sam Houston.
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06
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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07
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 Sam Houston.
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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.