Fort Knox

Fort Knox, Kentucky is an Army base with more than one hundred thousand acres stretching across three counties. Fort Knox is approximately 35 miles south of Louisville, KY, and is the sixth largest community in the entire commonwealth of Kentucky. There is a large military community here including a sizable retiree population.

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

Fort Knox, Kentucky Mission & Units

There is a diverse collection of missions and units at Fort Knox, and the base neighbors the U.S. Treasury Kentucky Depository. Fort Knox is home to the Army Human Resource Center of Excellence, which is responsible for career management for all soldiers.

Important Fort Knox units include Accessions Command, Human Resources Command, Army Recruiting Command and Army Cadet Command.

• 113th Army Band, Accessions Command
• 19th Engineers
• 280th Military Police Detachment (CID), 3d MP Group
• 2nd Squadron 16th Cavalry Regiment
• 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
• 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
• 4th Brigade, 85th Division (TS)
• 703rd Ordnance Company (EOD)
• 7th Brigade TS, 100th Division Brigade (IT)
• 8th/229th Aviation
• Directorate of Emergency Services Military Police Operations
• Fort Knox Weather Operations
• U.S. Army Recruiting Command
• US Army 3rd Recruiting Brigade
• US Army Accessions Support Brigade
• US Army Cadet Command
• US Army Human Resources Command
• USA 3rd Recruiting Brigade

What Kind of Military Base is Fort Knox?

Have you ever heard the term “locked down like Fort Knox?” Well, there’s a reason this base has earned the reputation for being highly secure! As it was originally constructed to serve as a depository where the United States Treasury could store and project its gold, Fort Knox is celebrated for being one of the most secure facilities in the world.

Established in 1937, Fort Knox was one of the first United States Army bases in the nation. It plays host to the U.S. Army Armor Center as well as the Army Human Resources Command. Furthermore, Fort Knox is a development center for armored forces and is involved in many military operations. 

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

Although Fort Knox does not allow public tours due to the amount of gold it is protecting, military personnel and their families have the opportunity to live on-base. On-base, military members can look forward to single-family homes, duplexes, or even apartments that are well-maintained and modern.

Living on base is a popular choice as it gives families a sense of community and belonging—especially after moving to a new area. As with most military bases, space for on-base living is limited, and so priority is given to married military personnel and those with families.

Those who are unaccompanied, meaning no spouse or children, are often required to live off-base. 

Off-site housing in the surrounding areas is an excellent option for those who want to lean into the rich culture of the area and experience an assortment of housing opportunities. With Louisville being just half an hour away, many choose to rent or purchase a home closer to the bustling city and commute to the base for work.

Fort Knox Family Housing

The Fort Knox installation provides a wide range of housing options to meet the needs of varying family sizes. On-base housing is overseen by Knox Hills LLC, and homes include two bedrooms all the way up to five bedrooms for larger families. 

Active duty military members, military retirees, and Department of Defense (DoD) employees can be considered for eligibility to live on base. There is often a waitlist for on-base housing, so it’s important to contact the Housing Services Office as soon as you know that you may want your family to live in Fort Knox.

Families that choose to live off-base can benefit from excellent school districts and vibrant communities. The real estate surrounding Fort Knox is diverse, catering to military families with different needs, requirements, and preferences. 

What is the BAH for Fort Knox?

Check the current Fort Knox Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates here.

To give you a starting idea of BAH rates for Fort Knox, military members at a pay grade of EO4 or below with dependents receive $1095 per month. Those of the same pay grade without dependents are provided around $858 on average.

It’s important to keep in mind that BAH rates are configured based on a few factors, including location, pay grade, and number of dependents, among other variables. 

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

Fort Knox required that all new arrivals follow the procedure of signing into family housing or unaccompanied housing upon arrival. Those needing temporary lodging must sign in as well. Once you have signed in, the Family Housing Office will assist you in following the right application steps to obtain either on-site or off-site housing. 

The Fort Knox Family Housing Office can be reached at (502) 799-6508 during regular base hours. It’s important to note that even those seeking off-site housing are required to check in with this organization before entering any legal housing agreements.

Fort Knox, Kentucky History

While it wasn’t known as Fort Knox in the earliest days of military operations in the area, military structures were built nearby as early as 1861 during the Civil War. The installation there was called Fort Duffield. Later, field artillery training associated with West Point began in the area and there was a new construction effort as a result.

1918 saw groundbreaking on what was to become known as Camp Knox; this building project was later downsized as a result of cuts made in the National Defense Act of 1920; however the project turned into a “semi-permanent training center” for the 5th Corps Area for Reserve Officers and the National Guard.

Fort Knox history includes the safeguarding of some of the most important historical documents in American history; in the wake of the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Gettysburg Address, Constitution of the United States, and the Declaration of Independence were all relocated to Fort Knox, stored in the nearby United States Bullion Depository until the documents were ordered released in 1944 following D-Day.

1931 is the year Fort Knox begins its’ service; mechanized cavalry troops began training there and the result was that the site was made a permanent Army garrison in 1932 and was re-designated as Fort Knox. During World War Two, the fort acted as an important Prisoner Of War facility for Axis prisoners including Italian and German POWs.

Following the successes Axis powers had with mechanized cavalry regiments, the Defense Department decided to put more emphasis on these operations, too. The result was the creation of a new Armored Force headquartered at Fort Knox in 1940.

The Armored Force School and the Armored Force Replacement Center began operations at Fort Knox in October 1940. This would last until 2010 when the Armor School was relocated to Fort Benning, Georgia. That decision was part of the 2005 Base Realignment And Closure Commission’s recommendations. Fort Knox would gain the 1st Theater Sustainment Command in 2017, adding another facet to an already diverse list of missions and operations.

Today, Fort Knox is described as an important, multifunctional installation, with a “central role in recruiting, training and supporting the warfighter” according to the Fort Knox official site.

Fort Knox Contacts

Main Address And Phone Numbers

Fort Knox
411 Eisenhower Avenue
Building 1477
Fort Knox, KY 40121

• 502-624-6291
• DSN 312-464-6291

Important Contact Numbers

• Emergency – 911
• Hospital Main – (502) 624-9333
• ID Card Section – (502) 624-1667
• Temporary Lodging – (502) 943-1000
• Housing Services Office – (502) 624-5824
• Medical Appointments – (180) 049-39602
• Dental Clinic Hospital – (502) 624-9670
• Post Operator – (502) 624-1000
• Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273-8255
• Barracks – (502) 943-1000
• Welcome Center – (502) 624-7018
• Civilian Personnel Office – (502) 624-3429
• Deployment and Mobilization – (502) 624-6291
• Information and Referral – (502) 624-6291
• Legal Services and JAG – (502) 624-2771
• Education Center – (502) 624-4136
• Child and Youth Services – Central Registration – (502) 624-6703
• Child and Youth Services (CYS) – (502) 624-6700
• Commissary And Shoppette
• Family Advocacy Program – (502) 624-6291
• Education and Developmental Intervention Services – (502) 624-9552
• Army Community Service – (502) 624-6291
• New Parent Support Program – (502) 624-6291
• In/Out Proc. / Defense Financing and Accounting – (502) 624-4397
• Travel Pay / Defense Financing and Accounting – (502) 624-8546
• Family Housing Office – (502) 799-6508
• Off Post Housing Referral – (502) 799-6508
• Transient Billeting (OQ,VOQ,VEQ,DVQ) – (502) 943-1000
• IHG Army Hotels – (502) 943-1000
• ID/CAC Card Section – (502) 624-1818
• Legal Assistance – (502) 624-2771
• Victim Advocate Services – (502) 624-6291
• Central Office/Domestic Dependent Elem. and Secondary Schools – (502) 624-2345
• CYS Central Registration Office – (502) 624-6703
• School Age Services – (502) 624-6903
• School Liaison Services – (502) 624-2305
• Household Goods and Transportation – (502) 624-3927
• Welcome/Visitors Center – (502) 624-7018

Fort Knox Surrounding Area

Fort Knox has much going for it in terms of location and attractions. Louisville, Kentucky is a very short drive away and there are plenty of distilleries and gift shop opportunities for enthusiasts of Kentucky bourbon and associated culture.

Baseball lovers will want to visit Louisville for the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Bourbon Hall is a destination for live entertainment in Louisville, and the Kentucky Derby Museum will interest fans of equestrian culture.

Closer to home, the Fort Knox area includes outdoors attractions like Swan Lake State Park, Sears Island features good biking and hiking, and there are lots of attractions for those who love antiques including the Searsport Antique Mall, and the Elizabethtown Peddlers Mall.

Fort Knox is also known for the General George Patton Museum which is complete with a static display of an Army tank on display outside the facility. This museum is located on-post.

Fort Knox Inprocessing and Check-In

All new arrivals assigned to Fort Knox as permanent party are directed to report to White Hall, Building 1384, room B2 during normal duty hours. Do this before reporting to the gaining unit. New arrivals on TDY orders or on temporary duty will report to Army Housing Services located in building 1383 during normal duty hours.

Those arriving after duty hours will check in at the DES building 298 on Gold Vault Road, call (502) 624-6847 for additional information. New arrivals in need of temporary lodging must check in, then report to New Garden Inn, 406 North Knox Street, Bldg 1327, (502) 943-1000. Always contact your gaining unit for additional requirements or procedures if you aren’t sure about how to check in.

Inprocessing, also known as IOPC, is done after checking in at White Hall, 25 W. Chaffee Ave, building 1384, room B2. Civilian clothes are permitted for sign-in, but in and out processing appointments require BDUs or a Class B uniform.

Fort Knox Services

Health Care

The Fort Knox community has been served by Ireland Army Health Clinic, formerly known as Ireland Army Community Hospital. Before the transition to a health clinic, Ireland was a full-service surgical hospital. A replacement facility was announced in 2017. The health clinic features scaled-down services compared to its’ former mission as a community hospital, but the following clinics are available:

• Alcohol & Drug
• Allergy Clinic
• Ambulance Service
• Anger Management
• Audiology
• Behavioral Health
• Exams
• Child and Family Behavioral Health
• Chiropractic
• Dental Clinic
• Dermatology
• Entomology
• Environmental Health
• Exceptional Family Member Program
• Gynecology
• Hearing Conservation
• Immunization

Call for more information: 502-624-9333; make appointments or discuss Tricare issues at 800-493-9602.

Child Care

Child care services on-post are provided by the Child Development Center (CDC), for children between the ages of six weeks and five years old. There are two CDC facilities on-post offering full-day care, part-day, and hourly care. A waiting list may be required and part-time or hourly care may need special planning depending on demand, mission requirements, etc. Call 502-624-6700, DSN 312-464-6700 for more information or to sign up for waiting lists.

Parents also have the option to choose Family Child Care (FCC) which is offered through private, credentialed providers who live in Fort Knox family housing. This care is available for children ages four weeks through fifth grade. Extended care is available evenings and weekends. Call (502) 624-1818 for more information, waiting list details, etc.

There is also an option for school-age child care via the Donna Kirby School Age Center. This is for children in 1st through 5th grade. Waiting lists may apply depending on demand for services, call (502) 624-6903 for more information on this Fort Knox child care option.

Household Goods

All incoming personnel are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System. Call the Fort Knox Inbound TMO Section if you need help or more information; call them at (502) 624-3927

Dependent and Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue

All appointments for dependent, retiree, and military member ID card services must be accomplished via the RAPIDS system. Schedule a separate appointment for each person requiring service. The Fort Knox RAPIDS page advises, “Only scheduled appointments will be seen”. Sponsors are required to accompany their dependents for ID card services UNLESS the dependent furnishes an unexpired valid General or Special Power of Attorney, or a valid DD Form 1172-2.

Fort Knox Schools

Those who wish to send their children to school on-post will be pleased to learn about the Fort Knox Community Schools district, which includes two elementary schools, a middle school and one high school:

• Van Voorhis Elementary School (including pre-K)
• Kingsolver School (including pre-K)
• Scott Middle School
• Fort Knox High School

These facilities are intended for families living on-post. The Fort Knox Community Schools system is a part of the Kentucky District of the Department of Defense Domestic Dependent Elementary and Secondary Schools.

Those who live off post may send their children to the appropriate school district based on location. Out-of-district enrollment is generally not allowed. Area school districts include:

• Hardin County Schools
• Meade County Schools
• Elizabethtown Independent Schools

New student registration at these schools may include the following requirements:

• Birth certificates
• Shot records
• Social Security Numbers
• Copy of the child’s physical exams
• Proof of address
• Copy of orders
• Custody or guardian papers filed through the court, where applicable

Call Fort Knox School Support Services at 502-624-2305 for help with any school-related issues on-post or off-post.

Fort Knox Housing

All new arrivals to Fort Knox sign into family housing, unaccompanied housing, or transient billeting / temporary lodging as part of base in processing procedures. It is not required to in-process before visiting the housing office on post, but you must sign in first.

Family housing at Fort Knox is privatized and operated by Knox Hills LLC. The properties are a combination of single-family and duplex homes ranging in size from two to five bedrooms. All newcomers are required to visit the Fort Knox Housing Services Office in Building 1383 at 41 West Chaffee Avenue prior to entering into any legally binding agreement for off-post housing.

Unaccompanied service members assigned to Fort Knox in the grades of E-1 through E-5 will be assigned to on-post housing in the barracks. Service members must report to their units and will be assigned barracks space afterwards; report to the Soldier Housing Office in Building 2817 on 1st Infantry Division Road for a room assignment. Those checking into the installation after normal duty hours are assigned temporary housing until the next duty day.

Fort Knox PCS and TDY Lodging

Temporary lodging is handled by IHG Army Hotels, 406 N Knox Street. Make reservations at (502) 943-1000. There are five facilities in the area and temporary lodging is plentiful, but advance reservations are strongly encouraged.

Fort Knox also has camping facilities which may be used as temporary lodging; a facility known as Camp Carson is available in this way but new arrivals should know this is an outdoor facility-there are no indoor accommodations and travelers must bring their own camping equipment or RVs.

Fort Knox Transportation

There is no public transportation on post at Fort Knox at the time of this writing. New arrivals must take a taxi from the airport to Fort Knox as there is no airport shuttle service available. Those with questions about the post on arrival are directed to inquire at the airport USO before departing for the installation.

Fort Knox Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License

Privately owned vehicles may registered on post at Building 298, Gold Vault Road, (502) 624-2111. Base decals are not required on post but Fort Knox 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.

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.