Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Landstuhl, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Installation Type: Regional Medical Center
Status: Active

Overview

Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) is the largest American military hospital outside the continental United States, located on Landstuhl Army Camp (part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community) near the city of Landstuhl in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Established in 1953, LRMC serves as the principal overseas hospital for the U.S. military in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, providing advanced medical, surgical, and trauma care. The facility gained widespread recognition during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as the primary medical evacuation hub for combat casualties from Central Command theater operations, serving as the critical step between combat theater care and return to duty or medical evacuation to the United States.

Mission & Units

  • Primary Mission: Provide theater-level medical care to U.S. military personnel, their families, and eligible beneficiaries throughout the European, African, and Central Command theaters; serve as the primary medical evacuation hub from downrange operations to definitive care or return to duty.
  • Major Units: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) – operates under Europe Regional Medical Command (ERMC); approximately 1,500 assigned medical staff; Combat Support Hospital capability; Aeromedical Evacuation elements; Air Evacuation Ward
  • Tenant Units: Various medical specialty clinics; Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center; Patient Family Liaison Office; Fisher House Germany; Warrior Transition Unit (WTU); NATO beneficiary treatment

Location & Access

  • Nearest Major City: Kaiserslautern, Germany – approximately 10 km east; Frankfurt, Germany – approximately 100 km northeast
  • Nearest Commercial Airport: Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – approximately 100 km; Ramstein Air Base (adjacent/nearby) handles military air evacuation; Saarbrucken Airport (SCN) – approximately 50 km
  • Gate Access: Landstuhl Army Camp gate is the primary access point; CAC/military ID required; visitor passes available for medical appointments; family members of patients receive access coordination through Patient Administration

Population

  • Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 2,000 (medical and support staff)
  • Family Members: Approximately 1,500 (staff families; patient families are transient)
  • Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,500 (including medical civilians and local national employees)
  • Total Installation Population: Approximately 6,000 (permanent; patient census varies significantly)

Key Facilities

  • Medical: Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is the primary facility – approximately 70 medical and surgical subspecialties; Level III Trauma Center equivalent; ICU, ORs, emergency department; rehabilitation medicine; behavioral health; dentistry; pharmacy; laboratory; radiology; approximately 150 inpatient beds (expandable to 215); air evacuation reception capability
  • Commissary: Limited on Landstuhl Army Camp; full commissary accessible at nearby Kaiserslautern Military Community (Vogelweh kaserne, approximately 10 km)
  • Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Limited on-site; full AAFES exchange at KMC Vogelweh (approximately 10 km); shoppette on Landstuhl Army Camp
  • Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center on Landstuhl Army Camp; MWR recreation programs; proximity to full KMC facilities at Ramstein/Kaiserslautern; USO facility to support patients and families; Fisher House Germany provides free lodging for families of patients
  • Schools: DoDEA Landstuhl Elementary-Middle School on post; high school students typically attend Kaiserslautern American High School (KMC); bus service provided
  • Childcare: Child Development Center on or near post; contact through garrison
  • Veterinary Services: Veterinary services available through USAG Kaiserslautern veterinary clinic (approximately 10 km); local German veterinarians in Landstuhl and Kaiserslautern
  • Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance through USAG Kaiserslautern (approximately 10 km); appointment-based; DSN contact through garrison directory

Housing

  • On-Post Housing: Government-owned housing on Landstuhl Army Camp for assigned medical staff; additional housing through Kaiserslautern Military Community (Kaiserslautern/Vogelweh/Ramstein area); KMC housing is very competitive
  • Average Wait Time: Varies; coordinate with USAG Kaiserslautern Housing Services Office; German economy housing available in Landstuhl town and surrounding villages
  • Off-Post Housing: Landstuhl town and surrounding villages offer German economy housing; Kaiserslautern (10 km) has extensive options; average rent EUR 800-1,400/month; Housing Office assists with off-post lease negotiations
  • BAH Rate Reference: Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) applies; check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

  • Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit/department chief upon receipt of orders; medical units maintain active sponsorship programs given the specialized nature of assignments; welcome packets available through LRMC Patient Administration Division
  • In-Processing: Report to LRMC Medical Personnel Division; in-processing coordinated through Europe Regional Medical Command; hospital orientation typically included for clinical staff; administrative processing takes 2-3 days
  • EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service through USAG Kaiserslautern; enrollment required prior to PCS; Landstuhl RMC itself provides exceptional access to specialist medical care making this an excellent assignment for EFMP families; contact ACS KMC at DSN 489-8046

OCONUS-Specific Information

  • SOFA Status: Germany covered by NATO Status of Forces Agreement; LRMC personnel same SOFA protections as other Germany-based U.S. Forces; customs and tax exemptions apply for SOFA personnel
  • Host Nation Rules: German traffic law applies off-post; blood alcohol limit 0.05%; Ruhezeit (quiet hours) observed 1300-1500 and 2200-0700 daily and all day Sunday; recycling mandatory in German economy housing; medical staff may maintain professional relationships with German medical counterparts
  • Curfew Policy: No formal curfew for adults; unit commanders may impose restrictions; no general German curfew
  • Ration Card / Customs: U.S. Forces Tax-Relief Program in Germany; vehicle fuel and other purchase limits apply; coordinate with USAG Kaiserslautern ration control office
  • Vehicle Registration & Licensing: USAREUR driving license required; German license required after 12 months; POV TUV inspection required if not on USAREUR plates; Motor Vehicle Registry at USAG Kaiserslautern
  • Language & Culture: German; English widely understood near the hospital and KMC due to decades of American presence; Rheinland-Pfalz region; ACS Culture College 101 (KMC) for newcomer orientation; hospitable local population with long history of U.S.-German ties
  • Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR); banking facilities in KMC area including on Landstuhl post; German banks in Landstuhl city; ATMs widely available
  • Travel Restrictions: Schengen Area accessible for personal travel; France 30 minutes, Luxembourg 1 hour; command approval for high-risk area travel per USAREUR-AF policy
  • Mail: APO AE 09180 (Landstuhl Army Camp); typical CONUS-to-APO delivery 7-14 days; German postal services available locally
  • Pets: No quarantine for dogs/cats entering Germany from U.S. if vaccinated and ISO-chipped; EU pet passport or USDA health certificate required; breed restrictions in Rhineland-Palatinate apply; USAG Kaiserslautern Veterinary Treatment Facility advises on import requirements

Local Area & Quality of Life

  • Climate: Temperate; mild summers (average high 24C/75F); cool wet winters; Palatinate forest region with excellent hiking and cycling; Mosel River wine country nearby
  • Cost of Living: Moderate; KMC (Ramstein/Kaiserslautern area) is a mature American community with extensive support services; German day-to-day costs are reasonable; OHA and COLA apply
  • Nearby Attractions: Kaiserslautern (10 km) with American-German community; Mosel River wine valley and castles (60-80 km); Heidelberg (80 km); France and Luxembourg border regions (30-60 km); Trier (90 km); Frankfurt (100 km); wine festivals throughout the Palatinate in autumn
  • Spouse Employment: LRMC is a major medical employer; numerous clinical and administrative positions for qualified medical professionals; USAG Kaiserslautern NAF positions; DoDEA teaching positions; remote work common; ACS KMC Employment Readiness Program assists

Contact & Resources

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://lrmc.health.mil; https://home.army.mil/kaiserslautern; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LandstuhlRegionalMedical_Center; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law

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