U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Stuttgart, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany
Installation Type: U.S. Army Garrison (USAG)
Status: Active

Overview

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is located in the Stuttgart metropolitan area of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, and serves as the host installation for some of the most strategically significant U.S. military commands in the world. USAG Stuttgart encompasses several kasernes including Patch Barracks (garrison headquarters), Kelley Barracks, and Robinson Barracks, collectively housing the headquarters for U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), and U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). The Stuttgart military community is approximately 15,000 strong and is known for high quality of life and proximity to the cultural and economic capital of southwest Germany.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide garrison support and enable readiness for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command, and Special Operations Command Europe; sustain the strategic command headquarters presence in central Europe.
Major Units: U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) – Joint HQ for all U.S. forces in Europe; U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) – geographic combatant command for Africa; Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR); Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe (JIOCEUR)
Tenant Units: Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Stuttgart; various joint staff elements from Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Special Operations components; NATO Rapid Deployable Corps; Allied Land Command liaison

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Stuttgart city center approximately 15-20 km from Patch Barracks; Heidelberg approximately 100 km northwest; Munich approximately 230 km east
Nearest Commercial Airport: Stuttgart Airport (STR) approximately 15 km from Patch Barracks; Frankfurt Airport (FRA) approximately 190 km north
Gate Access: Patch Barracks main gate (Vaihingen) is the primary entry for garrison headquarters; 24/7 access for military ID holders; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; Kelley and Robinson Barracks have separate access points

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000 (primarily joint staff officers and NCOs)
Family Members: Approximately 6,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000 (U.S. and German national employees)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 15,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Stuttgart Health Clinic, Patch Barracks; primary care, dental, and preventive medicine; specialty referrals to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (approximately 160 km northwest) or local German hospitals (Stuttgarter Hospitals are excellent); behavioral health services
Commissary: Yes – commissary at Patch Barracks; full-service grocery commissary
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main store at Patch Barracks; food court; auto services; shoppettes at Kelley and Robinson Barracks
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers on all kasernes; indoor pool (Patch); outdoor recreation areas; tennis courts; golf driving range; MWR extensive European ITT/ITR travel programs; outdoor recreation including Bavarian Alps access
Schools: DoDEA Stuttgart schools: Stuttgart Elementary School, Stuttgart Middle School, Stuttgart High School at Patch Barracks; bus service to all kasernes; well-regarded DoDEA school system
Childcare: Child Development Centers (CDCs) at multiple kasernes; School Age Services; waitlists common; contact Child and Youth Services for enrollment
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility at Patch Barracks; wellness exams, vaccinations, preventive care; appointment required
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office at Patch Barracks; walk-in and appointment services

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government-owned housing at Patch, Kelley, and Robinson Barracks and additional housing areas; managed through USAG Stuttgart Housing Services; mix of apartments and small homes; general condition good; competition for housing is significant at this desirable installation
Average Wait Time: Can be significant due to desirability of Stuttgart assignment; 4-12 weeks typical; some families go directly to German economy housing
Off-Post Housing: Stuttgart suburbs and surrounding towns offer good German economy options; Vaihingen, Leinfelden-Echterdingen, Sindelfingen area are popular; average rent EUR 1,200-2,000/month for 3-4 bedroom; Stuttgart is relatively expensive by German standards; Housing Office provides referral lists
BAH Rate Reference: Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) applies; Stuttgart OHA reflects higher German metropolitan costs; check current OHA rates at Defense Travel Management Office (dtmo.mil)

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Contact gaining unit/command upon receipt of orders; joint staff assignments typically include thorough sponsorship; USAG Stuttgart Welcome Center provides KMC orientation
In-Processing: USAG Stuttgart in-processing center at Patch Barracks; joint in-processing for Army and sister service personnel; typically 2-3 business days; badge and access credential processing required for EUCOM/AFRICOM billets
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, Patch Barracks; enrollment required; Stuttgart area German hospitals (Robert Bosch Krankenhaus, Marienhospital) provide excellent specialist care accessible through TRICARE

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: NATO Status of Forces Agreement; USEUCOM and USAFRICOM personnel also covered by bilateral U.S.-Germany supplemental SOFA arrangements; customs and tax exemptions apply
Host Nation Rules: German traffic law applies off-post; blood alcohol limit 0.05%; Ruhezeit observed (quiet hours 1300-1500, 2200-0700, all day Sunday); Baden-Wurttemberg is a particularly conservative German state; recycling mandatory; U.S.-German relations in Stuttgart area are historically strong
Curfew Policy: No formal adult curfew; unit commanders may impose restrictions; USAREUR-AF policies apply
Ration Card / Customs: U.S. Forces Tax-Relief Program; fuel and purchase limits apply; coordinate with USAG Stuttgart customs/ration office
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: USAREUR driving license required; German license required after 12 months; TUV inspection required for non-USAREUR POVs; Motor Vehicle Registry at Patch Barracks; Stuttgart city has excellent public transportation (U-Bahn, S-Bahn, bus)
Language & Culture: German (Swabian dialect in Stuttgart area); English widely spoken near kasernes; Swabians are known for hard work and thrift (Swabian frugality); ACS Culture College 101 for newcomer orientation; German language classes available at Education Center
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR); banking at Patch Barracks; German banks throughout Stuttgart; Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank, Sparkasse widely available
Travel Restrictions: Schengen Area accessible; Switzerland 1.5 hours, France 1.5 hours, Austria 2 hours, Munich 2.5 hours; USEUCOM/AFRICOM security protocols for personnel with high-level clearances may impose additional travel notification requirements
Mail: APO AE 09107 (Patch Barracks); typical CONUS delivery 7-14 days; German postal services (Deutsche Post) in Stuttgart for local and international
Pets: No quarantine for properly vaccinated/chipped dogs and cats from U.S.; EU pet passport or USDA-endorsed certificate required; Baden-Wurttemberg breed restrictions apply (check current list); Veterinary Treatment Facility advises on import

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Warm temperate; pleasant summers (average high 25C/77F in July); cold winters (average low -2C/28F in January); Stuttgart Kessel (basin) geography creates warm summer microclimates and occasional smog; autumn harvest season is celebrated with wine festivals
Cost of Living: Moderate-high; Stuttgart is one of Germany’s wealthiest cities (home to Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch); higher cost than more rural German bases; OHA and COLA account for this
Nearby Attractions: Stuttgart Porsche Museum and Mercedes-Benz Museum; Stuttgart wine region (Wuerttemberg wines); Black Forest (Schwarzwald) 60-90 km; Heidelberg (100 km); Swiss Alps (2-3 hours); Lake Constance (Bodensee) (1.5 hours); Neuschwanstein Castle (2.5 hours); Munich (2.5 hours)
Spouse Employment: Stuttgart is a major economic center; Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Bosch, and other multinationals employ English-speaking professionals; USAG Stuttgart NAF positions; DoDEA teaching; remote work common; good spouse employment network; ACS Employment Readiness Program

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/stuttgart
Main Installation Phone: DSN 430-1110; civilian +49-711-729-1110
MWR Website: https://stuttgart.armymwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Patch Barracks; DSN 430-5964; relocation, financial readiness, employment readiness, cultural orientation, family advocacy

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/stuttgart; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/usag-stuttgart; https://militarybases.com/overseas/germany/stuttgart; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law