Fort Riley, KS

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Fort Riley, Kansas (Geary County / Riley County)
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Riley was established in 1853 as a cavalry post to protect settlers along the Santa Fe and Oregon Trails and is located in north-central Kansas near Junction City and Manhattan. Covering approximately 101,000 acres of rolling Flint Hills prairie, it is one of the most historic Army installations in the United States. Today Fort Riley serves as home to the 1st Infantry Division — “The Big Red One” — one of the Army’s most storied combat divisions.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Man, equip, train, and deploy combat-ready forces of the 1st Infantry Division and other assigned units in support of Army and joint force operations worldwide.
Major Units: 1st Infantry Division (HQ), 1st Brigade Combat Team (1st BCT), 2nd Brigade Combat Team (2nd BCT), 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (1st CAB), Division Artillery (DIVARTY), 1st Sustainment Brigade
Tenant Units: Irwin Army Community Hospital, U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center elements, National Guard training support units, ROTC Cadet Command support

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Junction City, KS (immediately adjacent to the installation); Manhattan, KS (approximately 18 miles east)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Manhattan Regional Airport (MHK) — approximately 20 miles east; Kansas City International Airport (MCI) — approximately 125 miles east
Gate Access: Multiple gates including the Main Gate (Huebner Road) and Ogden Gate; 24/7 access for authorized personnel; visitor passes issued at the Main Gate Visitor Control Center; valid government-issued photo ID required; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 15,000-20,000
Family Members: Approximately 25,000-30,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 5,000-7,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 55,000-65,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Irwin Army Community Hospital (IACH) — community hospital providing inpatient and outpatient care, emergency services, obstetrics, and a range of specialty clinics
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service main store with retail, food court, and specialty shops including a car care center
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers including the Custer Hill Fitness Center and Grant Fitness Center; outdoor pools; USD Recreation Center; Twin Lakes Recreation Area with boating and fishing; Custer Hill Golf Course; bowling center
Schools: USD 475 Geary County Schools serve on-post families; no DoDEA schools at this location; Fort Riley Middle School and Fort Riley Elementary are on-post public schools operated by USD 475
Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; wait times can be significant — apply immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; School Age Services available for older children
Veterinary Services: Fort Riley Veterinary Treatment Facility — full-service veterinary clinic offering wellness exams, vaccinations, surgical procedures, and dental care for military-owned animals; appointment required
Legal Assistance / JAG: 1st Infantry Division Office of the Staff Judge Advocate — located on Main Post; legal assistance by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney available; services include wills, tax assistance, and claims

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Hunt Military Communities; multiple neighborhoods across post including Custer Hill, Forsyth, and Ogden; approximately 3,200+ family housing units
Average Wait Time: Varies by bedroom size; typically 2-6 months for larger homes; some neighborhoods may have shorter waits
Off-Post Housing: Junction City, Ogden, Milford, and Manhattan offer off-post options; average rent for a 3-bedroom home in Junction City ranges approximately $800-$1,200/month; Manhattan is slightly higher due to Kansas State University demand
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit S1 upon receipt of orders; 1st Infantry Division units have active sponsorship programs; contact your gaining battalion or brigade headquarters
In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (Building 207); in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; includes medical, dental, legal, and administrative actions
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment through Irwin Army Community Hospital EFMP office; Army Community Service EFMP coordinator provides community support and referrals; enrollment required before PCS for eligible family members

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid continental — hot summers (90s F common), cold winters with snow and ice; spring and fall can be pleasant but severe weather including tornadoes is possible in spring
Cost of Living: Low — north-central Kansas is one of the more affordable regions in the country; housing, groceries, and services are well below the national average
Nearby Attractions: Milford Lake (Kansas’s largest reservoir — boating, fishing, camping, approximately 8 miles); Kansas State University (Manhattan, approximately 18 miles — cultural events, sporting events); Flint Hills Discovery Center (Manhattan); Konza Prairie Biological Station (hiking and wildlife viewing)
Spouse Employment: Junction City has a limited job market; Manhattan (Kansas State University community) offers broader opportunities in education, healthcare, and retail; remote work is popular; Kansas works to support military spouse licensing reciprocity

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/riley/
Main Installation Phone: (785) 239-3911
MWR Website: https://riley.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS) — located in Building 207 (Soldiers Support Center); contact (785) 239-4227 for relocation assistance, financial readiness, and family support programs

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: home.army.mil/riley, riley.armymwr.com, Irwin Army Community Hospital public affairs, USD 475 Geary County Schools, DoD installation population estimates