Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Killeen, Texas
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active
Former Name: Fort Cavazos (2023-2025)

Overview

Fort Hood was established in 1942 and is located near Killeen, Texas, in Bell County, approximately 65 miles north of Austin and 160 miles south of Dallas. The installation encompasses approximately 340 square miles, making it one of the largest military installations in the world by area. The post was renamed Fort Cavazos in 2023, honoring General Richard E. Cavazos, the first Hispanic-American to achieve four-star rank in the U.S. Army; it was subsequently renamed Fort Hood in 2025, honoring Colonel John Bell Hood. Fort Hood is home to III Corps and is known as “The Great Place,” serving as the Army’s primary armored and mechanized force installation.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Train, deploy, and sustain large-scale armored and mechanized forces; serve as the headquarters of III Corps, one of the Army’s premier warfighting headquarters.
• Major Units:
• III Corps (“Phantom Corps”) — the installation’s senior headquarters
• 1st Cavalry Division (“First Team”) — one of the Army’s most storied armored divisions
• 3rd Cavalry Regiment (“Brave Rifles”)
• 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)
• 504th Military Intelligence Brigade
• 89th Military Police Brigade
• 1st Medical Brigade
• Tenant Units:
• Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC)
• Fort Hood School Liaison Office
• Various Reserve Component units

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Killeen, TX — immediately adjacent; Austin, TX — approximately 65 miles south; Waco, TX — approximately 70 miles northeast
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport (GRK) — on-post commercial airport; Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) — approximately 70 miles south
• Gate Access: Multiple gates including the main gate on Clear Creek Road (Gate 1) and several other operational gates; 24/7 access for credentialed personnel; visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID; visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center; CAC holders use standard access lanes; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required; traffic can be congested near main gates during peak hours

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 35,000-40,000 (one of the largest active duty populations in the U.S. Army)
• Family Members: Approximately 55,000-70,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 9,000-14,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 150,000+ (including retirees and contractors in the greater Killeen-Temple area)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) — a full-service military medical center with inpatient, outpatient, emergency, surgical, and extensive specialty care; Level II trauma center; one of the larger military medical centers in the Army
• Commissary: Yes — multiple commissary locations on post; large, well-stocked facilities serving the substantial military population
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large AAFES Main Exchange with extensive retail, food courts, car care, furniture store, Class VI, and specialty concessions; one of the larger AAFES complexes in the Army
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers throughout the large installation; indoor and outdoor pools; Robert Fowler Memorial Golf Course; Fort Hood Outdoor Recreation center; bowling center; Fort Hood Fishing and Hunting; Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area (BLORA); extensive sports fields and recreational facilities
• Schools: No DoDEA schools on post — students attend Killeen Independent School District (KISD); KISD is a large district with significant experience serving military families; multiple elementary, middle, and high schools serve the military community
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; given the enormous military family population, wait times can be very significant (months to a year or more for some grades); families should register on the Army Child Care Waiting List the moment PCS orders are received; School-Age Services and Family Child Care homes provide additional capacity
• Veterinary Services: Fort Hood Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness care, vaccinations, dental care, and preventive medicine for eligible beneficiaries’ privately owned animals and military working dogs; appointment required; multiple clinic locations given the installation’s size
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Hood — provides legal assistance by appointment and limited walk-in services; contact (254) 287-2510 for current hours and appointment scheduling

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Lend Lease (and associated management) — multiple residential neighborhood areas across the large installation; a wide variety of home sizes for enlisted and officer families
• Average Wait Time: Wait times vary significantly by grade; some grades have reasonable wait times while E-5 and below categories may face longer waits; contact the housing office upon receipt of orders
• Off-Post Housing: Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Nolanville, and Temple are popular communities; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $950-$1,300 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,300-$1,800 for a 3-4 bedroom home; the Central Texas area is generally affordable
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s S1 to request a sponsor; III Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, and other major units maintain active sponsorship programs; incoming Soldiers are encouraged to reach out to their gaining unit as early as possible
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (Building 91); in-processing for Fort Hood typically takes 3-5 business days; the large installation has a well-established and efficient in-processing pipeline
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center; contact Fort Hood Army Community Service for EFMP Family Support at (254) 287-3477; the Killeen-Temple area offers a range of special needs services, with more comprehensive specialty options available in Austin (65 miles south)

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Hot semi-arid/humid subtropical climate; summers are very hot (average highs of 95-100+ F, frequently exceeding 100 F) with high humidity; winters are mild (average highs in the 50s-60s F) with occasional freezing events; spring can bring severe weather including tornadoes and hail
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate relative to national average; Central Texas is generally affordable; Texas has no state income tax, which benefits military families; however, property taxes in Texas are high (relevant for homeowners)
• Nearby Attractions:
• Austin, TX — approximately 65 miles south; vibrant music scene (Live Music Capital of the World), restaurants, Lake Travis recreation, and the Texas State Capitol
• Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Lake — immediately adjacent to the installation; boating, fishing, camping, and water recreation
• Natural Bridge Caverns — approximately 90 miles south; impressive limestone cave system
• Spouse Employment: Moderate job market in the Killeen-Temple area; local employment is heavily oriented toward retail, healthcare, and service industries; Austin’s booming tech and diversified economy is accessible for commuters or remote workers; the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) is active in the area

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/hood
• Main Installation Phone: (254) 287-1110
• MWR Website: https://hoodmwr.com
• ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Fort Hood — Building 90; contact (254) 287-3477 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM, home.army.mil/hood, Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center, III Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, Killeen Independent School District, AAFES, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law