U.S. Army Garrison Vilseck

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Vilseck, Bavaria, Germany
Installation Type: U.S. Army Garrison (USAG)
Status: Active

Overview

U.S. Army Garrison Vilseck is located in the town of Vilseck in Upper Franconia, Bavaria, Germany, approximately 25 km from Grafenwoehr. The garrison encompasses Rose Barracks (the main kaserne in Vilseck) and is part of the broader U.S. Army installations cluster in northeast Bavaria near the Grafenwoehr Training Area, the largest U.S. Army training facility in Europe. USAG Vilseck is home to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker), one of the most combat-ready maneuver units in the U.S. Army Europe and Africa theater, and serves as a key readiness hub for armored and Stryker forces in Europe.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Provide garrison and installation support to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment and other tenant units; enable armored and Stryker force readiness and rapid response capability in the European theater.
Major Units: 2nd Cavalry Regiment (“Second Dragoons”) – Stryker Brigade Combat Team; Regiment Headquarters; 1st-4th Squadrons; Regimental Support Squadron
Tenant Units: Various USAREUR-AF support elements; NATO partner unit liaison teams; Army Prepositioned Stocks maintenance support; Grafenwoehr Training Area coordination elements

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Nuremberg, Germany – approximately 90 km southwest; Amberg – approximately 30 km southwest; Grafenwoehr – approximately 25 km east
Nearest Commercial Airport: Nuremberg Airport (NUE) approximately 90 km; Munich Airport (MUC) approximately 200 km
Gate Access: Rose Barracks main gate is primary entry; 24/7 access for military ID holders; visitor passes at Visitor Control Center; coordination with sponsor required for civilian visitors

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 4,500
Family Members: Approximately 5,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 1,500
Total Installation Population: Approximately 11,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Health Clinic at Rose Barracks; primary care, dental, preventive medicine; specialty referrals to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (approximately 270 km) or Nuremberg civilian hospitals; Grafenwoehr Health Clinic also accessible (25 km)
Commissary: Yes – commissary at Rose Barracks; full-service grocery commissary
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main store and shoppettes at Rose Barracks
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers on post; MWR programs; access to Grafenwoehr Recreation Area; ITT/ITR travel programs; outdoor recreation in Bavaria; skiing in the Alps accessible within 2-3 hours
Schools: DoDEA Vilseck Elementary School and Vilseck High School on post; well-regarded schools in a tight-knit community
Childcare: Child Development Center on post; waitlists possible; register early
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; wellness exams and preventive care; call for appointment
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office on post; appointment-based; contact through garrison directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government-owned family housing at Rose Barracks and surrounding housing areas; 2-4 bedroom units; condition generally good; military required to live on post until 95% occupancy reached; active construction and renovation ongoing
Average Wait Time: 2-8 weeks depending on bedroom size; verify with Housing Services Office
Off-Post Housing: Vilseck town and surrounding Bavarian villages offer German economy housing; rural and affordable; average rent EUR 700-1,200/month; pastoral Bavarian setting; Housing Office assists with leases
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 squadron or regiment upon receipt of orders; unit sponsorship coordinators facilitate pre-arrival information and arrival support
In-Processing: Report to USAG Vilseck Welcome Center at Rose Barracks; in-processing typically 2-3 business days; ACS Culture College 101 orientation for Germany available
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, Rose Barracks; enrollment required; specialist care available in Nuremberg or via LRMC

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: NATO Status of Forces Agreement; customs and tax exemptions for SOFA personnel; U.S. jurisdiction vs. German jurisdiction framework same as other Germany-based U.S. forces
Host Nation Rules: German traffic law off-post; blood alcohol limit 0.05%; Ruhezeit strictly observed; recycling mandatory; German-American relations in the Vilseck/Grafenwoehr area are longstanding and generally positive
Curfew Policy: No formal adult curfew; unit commanders may impose liberty restrictions; USAREUR-AF policies apply
Ration Card / Customs: U.S. Forces Tax-Relief Program; fuel and purchase limits apply
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: USAREUR driving license required; German license required after 12 months; TUV required for non-USAREUR POVs; Motor Vehicle Registry on Rose Barracks
Language & Culture: German (Bavarian dialect locally); limited English off-post in rural Vilseck area; ACS Culture College 101 highly recommended; German language classes at Education Center; Bavarian culture includes beer gardens, festivals (Volksfeste), and traditional customs
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR); banking on post; German banks in Vilseck and Amberg
Travel Restrictions: Schengen Area accessible; Czech Republic 1 hour, Austria 2 hours, Austria/Alps 2-3 hours; command approval for high-risk travel
Mail: APO AE 09112 (Rose Barracks, Vilseck); typical CONUS delivery 7-14 days; German postal services available locally
Pets: No quarantine for properly vaccinated/chipped dogs and cats from U.S.; EU pet passport or USDA certificate required; Bavaria breed restrictions apply; Vet Treatment Facility advises

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate continental; warm summers (average high 23C/73F July); cold snowy winters (average low -5C/23F January); beautiful Bavarian rural landscape; autumn foliage is spectacular
Cost of Living: Low to moderate; rural Bavaria is very affordable by European standards; OHA and COLA provide reasonable purchasing power; German beer, food, and markets are excellent value
Nearby Attractions: Grafenwoehr Recreation Area (outstanding outdoor recreation including skiing, hiking, biking in Bavarian forest); Nuremberg (90 km) – historic city with WWII heritage; Bayreuth (famous for Wagner Festival, 50 km); Czech Republic border (1 hour); Regensburg (medieval city, 60 km); Bavarian Alps skiing (2-3 hours)
Spouse Employment: Limited employment in rural Vilseck; USAG Vilseck and USAG Grafenwoehr NAF positions; DoDEA positions; Nuremberg (90 km) offers more options; remote work common; ACS Employment Readiness Program assists

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/grafenwoehr (USAG Grafenwoehr-Vilseck is an integrated community)
Main Installation Phone: DSN 476-1110 (Rose Barracks); civilian +49-9662-83-1110
MWR Website: https://grafenwoehr.armymwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Rose Barracks; DSN 476-3362; relocation, financial readiness, employment readiness, cultural orientation, family advocacy

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/grafenwoehr; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/usag-vilseck; https://militarybases.com/overseas/germany/vilseck; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Barracks