Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Leesville, Louisiana
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active
Former Name: Fort Johnson (2023-2025)

Overview

Fort Polk is located in Vernon Parish in west-central Louisiana, adjacent to the city of Leesville, approximately 35 miles south of Shreveport and 160 miles northwest of Baton Rouge. Established in 1941 as Camp Polk, named for Episcopal Bishop Leonidas Polk who served as a Confederate general, the installation was renamed Fort Johnson in 2023 to honor Sergeant William Henry Johnson, a Buffalo Soldier and World War I Medal of Honor recipient, before reverting to Fort Polk in 2025 to honor General James H. Polk, a World War II Silver Star recipient and former Commander in Chief of U.S. Army Europe. Fort Polk is home to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), one of the Army’s three major combat training centers.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Host the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) providing realistic combat training for infantry and light forces, and support the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
• Major Units: Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Polk; 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Mountain Warriors)
• Tenant Units: 115th Combat Support Hospital; 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment; Louisiana Army National Guard elements; Special Operations Forces training support elements

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Leesville, LA — immediately adjacent; Shreveport, LA — approximately 90 miles north; Alexandria, LA — approximately 60 miles east
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Alexandria International Airport (AEX) — approximately 60 miles east; Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) — approximately 90 miles north
• Gate Access: Multiple access control points with 24-hour operations. Valid CAC, military ID, or visitor pass required. Visitors must be sponsored and obtain visitor passes at the Visitor Control Center. Training area access may have additional restrictions during rotation cycles.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 8,000-12,000 (fluctuates with JRTC rotations)
• Family Members: Approximately 10,000-14,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000-7,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000-30,000

Key Facilities

• Medical: Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital — a full Army community hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, obstetrics, surgery, behavioral health, dental, and pharmacy; one of the more comprehensive Army hospitals relative to its location
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — full Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) main store with food court and retail; services the large rotating JRTC training unit population as well
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; indoor and outdoor pools; golf course (Warrior Hills Golf Course); bowling alley; movie theater; youth sports; outdoor recreation; hunting and fishing in Kisatchie National Forest
• Schools: DoDEA schools on post — Polk Elementary, McNair Elementary, Gillis W. Long Middle School, Pickens Elementary; Vernon Parish School Board operates off-post public schools; Leesville High School is the local public high school
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; School Age Services available; waitlists are common and early enrollment is recommended upon receipt of orders
• Veterinary Services: Fort Polk Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides preventive care, vaccinations, wellness exams, and dental care for privately owned pets of eligible beneficiaries; appointments required
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Polk — legal assistance available by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney available on a limited basis; handles wills, consumer law, tax preparation (VITA), and general legal advice

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; multiple neighborhoods with single-family homes and townhomes; units vary in age and condition; ongoing renovation and improvement efforts
• Average Wait Time: Typically several weeks to 2-3 months depending on rank and bedroom requirements; larger homes may have shorter waits
• Off-Post Housing: Leesville and Anacoco offer the most convenient off-post options. Average rent ranges from approximately $900-$1,500/month for 2-3 bedroom homes. DeRidder (approximately 20 miles east) also offers rental options. The area is affordable relative to most CONUS installations.
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Request sponsor through gaining unit S1 upon receipt of orders; 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division units and JRTC Operations Group maintain active sponsorship programs.
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center on first available duty day. In-processing covers finance, medical, housing, and unit reporting; typically 3-5 duty days.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service EFMP office on post; Bayne-Jones ACH provides substantial on-post medical services; for complex special needs, coordination with Alexandria or Shreveport providers may be necessary; enroll and contact ACS well before PCS.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Humid subtropical climate. Summers are hot and very humid with temperatures in the 90s°F and high heat indices; winters are mild with some cold periods and occasional ice; spring and fall are pleasant.
• Cost of Living: Low — the Vernon Parish and Leesville area is among the most affordable military communities in the continental United States; housing, food, and services are well below national averages.
• Nearby Attractions: Kisatchie National Forest — surrounding the installation, offering extensive hiking, fishing, hunting, and camping; Toledo Bend Reservoir — one of the largest man-made lakes in the U.S., approximately 35 miles west; Natchitoches, LA (oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase territory) — approximately 60 miles northeast; Shreveport entertainment and casinos.
• Spouse Employment: Limited local employment opportunities in the Leesville area; major employers include the installation itself, healthcare, education, and retail. Shreveport and Alexandria offer broader markets with longer commutes. Remote work is increasingly important for Fort Polk spouses.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/polk/
• Main Installation Phone: (337) 531-2911
• MWR Website: https://jrtcandfortpolk.armymwr.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Fort Polk — (337) 531-1765; located in the Family and MWR complex on post

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army Installation Management Command (home.army.mil/polk), JRTC and Fort Polk Public Affairs, Army Community Service Fort Polk, Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law