Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell is a U.S. Army installation in Kentucky on the border of Tennessee. Fort Campbell is the home of the 101st Airborne Division and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The 101st is famous in the area for its full-time parachute team, the “Screaming Eagles.” Fort Campbell is the training and development center for Army Air Assault Operations.

Find information about including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.

Mission & Units

Fort Campbell’s mission is basically to support and train Air Assault troops of the 101st Airborne Division, including the Fort Campbell Air Assault School which trains thousands each year in combat readiness, jumpmaster operations, rappelling, and much more. Important missions and units include:

• 101st Combat Aviation Brigade (AUA) (WF J701)
• 101st Sustainment Brigade (SUA) (WAB801)
• 159th Combat Aviation Brigade (AUA) (WJD501)
• 1st Brigade UA/327th Infantry (WAB401)
• 2nd Brigade UA/502 Infantry (WAB501)
• 3rd Brigade UA/187th Infantry (WAB601)
• 4th Brigade UA/506 Infantry (WJJP01)
• HHB 101 Airborne Division (UEX) (WAB101)
• Warrior Transition Battalion

What Kind of Military Base is Fort Campbell?

Fort Cambell is situated on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, and it was established in 1942 during World War II. As the home for the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell is one of the most highly regarded United States Army installations. 

Impressively, the 101st Airborne is known for its rapid deployment abilities and specialization in air assault operations. As a result, Fort Campbell has gained significant recognition for its role in numerous military operations and conflicts throughout recent history.

Fort Campbell Housing: Where Should I Live if Stationed at Fort Campbell?

Fort Campbell and its surrounding area offer wonderful housing opportunities for both on-base and off-base military residents. Housing on Fort Campbell is divided into several housing communities, including single-family homes, townhouses, and duplexes. 

Additional features such as garages, fenced-in yards, and patios are also available, depending on the unit. In addition, on-base residents enjoy the convenience of 24/7 emergency maintenance response if an incident occurs with the housing unit.

Although on-base housing has its benefits, many Fort Campbell military members choose to live off-base due to the area’s diverse housing selection. From apartments and condos to single-family homes available for both rent and purchase, there are many options to choose from. 

Fort Campbell Family Housing

As Fort Campbell is reputed for having strong ties to the local community, military families can’t go wrong when it comes to housing in the area. Both on-base and off-base options are good choices, and both come with their own set of perks.

Many families like the extended sense of security they receive while living at Fort Campbell. In addition, living on-base means less hassle when it comes to the maintenance and upkeep of the rental property. On the flip side, there are many qualities of the communities outside of the base that attract military families. 

For starters, the Fort Campbell surrounding area is recognized for its lively communities, affordable living, and wonderful schools, making it a good choice for off-base military personnel and families. Notably, military spouses have also reported finding great off-base employment opportunities in this area, allowing them to contribute to the household income.

Many also appreciate having some distance from the base, where they can revel in their time away from work and explore the area’s natural outdoor beauty.

What is the BAH for Fort Campbell?

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a benefit given to military service members, providing them with housing financial assistance. As military personnel are asked to live in various locations across the United States and the world, the BAH plays a huge role in making sure everyone can afford to live where they are stationed. 

Fort Campbell BAH Rates for this year can be found here.

Those posted at Fort Campbell who have dependents and a pay grade of E04 or lower typically receive around $1593 per month. Similarly, those without dependents and of the same pay grade are allotted $1329 per month.

The Fort Campbell Housing Office: How to Apply for Housing at Fort Campbell

Those applying for on-base housing can either contact Single Housing at 270-798-3808 or Family Housing at 931-431-9003. Military personnel becomes eligible for the Fort Campbell on-base housing waiting list on the date they leave their previous base.

To achieve eligibility, you need to apply for on-base housing at Fort Campbell within 30 days of your reporting date. Those applying for off-base housing must remember to contact the Housing Services Office before agreeing to any legally-binding terms.

History

Named after William B. Campbell, the fort is home to the only Air Assault division of the Army–the 101st Airborne Division. The history of the division is sometimes mentioned in tandem with the evolution of Fort Campbell itself; the fort is comparatively young for an Army base. 

Established in 1941 with the selection of land for the base, Campbell wouldn’t open officially until 1942 when it was then known as Camp Campbell, Tennessee.

That would bring a measure of confusion because of the base’s location–as mentioned above, a large amount of the land for Fort Campbell is situated across the Tennessee border but officially, the fort resides in Kentucky. A special request to redesignate the fort as a Kentucky base helped end mail problems and other jurisdictional issues.

Come summer, 1942, Fort Campbell was training soldiers there including the 101st Airborne Division. But the post also served as a prisoner-of-war camp for Axis prisoners captured in the North African campaigns of World War Two in 1942. The base contains a small cemetery for those POWs to this day. 

In 1950, the camp was redesignated as Fort Campbell and operated in support of elite military units including the 5th Special Forces group and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

Today, in addition to training and supporting the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell is also the base of operations for the Screaming Eagles, an Army precision parachute team founded in 1958. The Screaming Eagles perform air shows every year as a way to promote Army aviation and recruiting.

Contacts

Main Address and Phone Numbers

1501 William C. Lee Rd (inside gate 1)
Fort Campbell, KY 42223

• 270-798-9322
• DSN 312-635-9322

Important Fort Campbell Contact Numbers

• ACS Deployment & Mobilization Program (270) 798-4408
• ACS Employment Readiness Program (ERP) (270) 798-4289
• ACS Family Advocacy Program (270) 412-5500
• Admin Office (270) 439-1846
• Blanchfield Army Community Hospital – EFMP Enrollment (270) 798-8955
• Central Enrollment & Registration (Child & Youth Services) (270) 798-0674
• Child Development Center #1 (270) 439-7993
• Child Development Center #2 (270) 439-7996
• EFMP Family Support (270) 798-2727
• Emergencies 911
• Family Center (270) 798-9322
• Family Child Care (FCC) (270) 798-4959
• Family Housing Office (931) 431-9003
• Hospital Main (270) 798-8400
• Human Resources (270) 439-1848
• ID Card/DEERS Section (270) 798-2424
• Information and Referral (270) 798-9322
• Legal Services and JAG (270) 798-4432
• New Parent Support Program (270) 798-5875
• School Age Services (270) 412-2315
• Single Housing (270) 798-3808
• Single Service Member Housing (270) 412-3664
• Temporary Lodging (270) 439-2229
• Welcome Center (270) 798-9322
• School Liaison (270) 798-9874

Surrounding Area

Fort Campbell is roughly two and a half hours away from Fort Knox and MLB.

Fans visiting Fort Knox will want to plan a visit to nearby Louisville for the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory. The Fort Knox area includes outdoors attractions like Swan Lake State Park, Sears Island plus the Searsport Antique Mall.

Fort Campbell itself is unique; it straddles the states of Tennessee and Kentucky, though not equally; the majority of the post falls on the Tennessee side but legally the fort is identified with Kentucky. 

In the local area, there are plenty of outdoorsy attractions including The Land Between The Lakes, which has a reputation for good kayaking, fishing, camping, and hiking. There are also opportunities to go caving at Mammoth Cave National Park as well as a sampling of the local wares grown and bottled at Beachhaven Vineyards and Winery.

Inprocessing and Check-In

Those PCSing to Fort Campbell are directed to report to Kalsu Replacement Company, 6916 Desert Storm Ave before the “To” date listed on DA Form 31 (or other orders where applicable)–checkin is open around the clock. 

All who report during normal duty hours must be in uniform. Unaccompanied troops Staff Sergeant and below are assigned a room in the barracks for in-processing purposes. According to the official site, “Haircuts and uniforms will be inspected daily to ensure adherence to Army and Division standards.” Call 270-798-2813 for more information. In-processing procedures can take up to 14 days depending on circumstances.

Those on TDY orders to the Assault School will be given instructions on check-in procedures to follow prior to PCS travel.

Services

Health Care

Medical care at Fort Campbell is provided by the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH) and offers both emergency as well as non-emergent primary care. Services at Blanchfield include:

• Internal medicine
• Pediatrics
• Behavioral health
• Physical therapy
• Sports medicine
• Optometry
• Immunizations
• Nutrition care
• Occupational health services
• Pharmacy
• Laboratory
• Radiology 

This Army hospital has the distinction of being the first hospital named after an Army Nurse Corps officer, Colonel Florence A. Blanchfield, Chief of the Army Nurse Corps from 1943-1947. Make appointments by calling 270-798-4677.

Child Care

Child care on post is provided by the Child Development Center, which offers full-time, part-time, and some hourly care for children between the ages of six weeks and five years old. There are four full-time centers at Fort Campbell, with three hourly care and one part-time care options also available.

The Fort Campbell official site urges those PCSing to the base to get started with child care arrangements before arriving; visit www.militarychildcare.com to get started.

In-home care at registered and monitored on-post options may also be available through Family Child Care program homes.

Household Goods

Those PCSing to Fort Campbell are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance from the Fort Campbell Inbound TMO by calling (270) 798-7151 or (270) 798-7940.

Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue

All Fort Campbell troops are directed to schedule appointments for ID card services using the RAPIDS system. Two forms of unexpired ID are required for app ID card services.

Walk-ins may be subject to longer waiting times due to demand and other factors. Those dealing with lost or stolen Common Access Cards are required to “present documentation from their local security office or CAC sponsor” as confirmation that the card is lost or stolen.

Schools

Due to its unique location crossing Kentucky and Tennessee, there are many options for schools in both states. It’s best to contact the Fort Campbell School Liaison Office to learn which options may work best depending on potential location for housing and other options. Fort Campbell itself provides access to three school districts:

• Department of Defense Education Activity (270) 439-1927. There are four on-post elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school on the installation.
• Kentucky/Hopkinsville/Oak Grove – Christian County School Systems (270) 887-1300. 
• Tennessee – Clarksville Montgomery County School System (931) 648-5600.

Contact the Fort Campbell School Liaison Office at (270) 798-9874 as soon as you have orders to Fort Campbell to learn what specific transfer requirements may apply based on your housing choices and other variables.

Housing

Housing at Fort Campbell is privatized and administered by the Fort Campbell Housing Services Office. All new arrivals to the area are directed to report to the Housing Services Office (HSO) before entering into any legally binding agreement for housing off post.

According to the official site, “Houses are available to all ranks. Houses range in size from two to five bedrooms, and some of the units are handicapped accessible.”

When PCSing, your eligibility for housing waiting lists at Fort Campbell begins on the date you departed your losing base–as long as you apply for housing no later than 30 days after your reporting date. 

Those PCSing from a remote assignment, hardship duty, or from a “dependent-restricted overseas location,” your housing eligibility date is based on the date you departed previous duty station for the dependent-restricted tour (14 months maximum). For all other applications eligibility is based on date of application. Call 270-798-3808 for assistance.

Single and unaccompanied soldiers PCSing to the fort should know that Fort Campbell policies include a requirement that all between the ranks of E1 and E5 are required to reside in the barracks on-post. Off-base residences are permitted but must be authorized with a Certificate of Non-availability, signed by the garrison commander. 

Single and unaccompanied soldiers, as well as those “geographically separated” from their families who are E-6 and above are not authorized to live in the barracks.

PCS and TDY Lodging

Temporary lodging is available at Fort Campbell through the Holiday Inn Express Turner Guest House. Some rooms are pet-friendly but these may have limited availability. TFL and temporary lodging is harder to obtain during PCS season and in times of frequent TDYs.

New arrivals must call the Post Visitor Control Center at (270) 798-5047 “to ensure you’re aware of the most current post access guidelines prior to your arrival” depending on current threat conditions, travel restrictions, or other variables. Make reservations by calling 270-439-2229. Due to demand, it’s best to call as early as possible once you know you are traveling on official orders.

Transportation

Nashville International Airport is the nearest major airport, roughly 50 miles from Fort Campbell. It is strongly advised that all PCSing troops and those flying to the area on TDY orders contact a sponsor or gaining unit ahead of time to discuss transportation options. 

Depending on the time of your arrival, tourist season in Nashville, and other variables, your travel time via the usual ride sharing or commercial taxis or shuttles could increase dramatically.

Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

Base decals are not required for privately owned vehicles driven on post, but Fort Campbell may require 100% ID checks entering and/or leaving post depending on current threat levels or other factors. All vehicles are subject to search at any time. You must carry a current and unexpired photo ID to gain access to the base.

All vehicles must comply with Kentucky state law requirements including minimum insurance coverages, seat belt use, etc. Kentucky state law requires all drivers, military or not, to register in the state within a state-defined deadline after moving. An in-state drivers’ license is also required.