Fort Hamilton

U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, New York, provides installation support and “also serves as a power projection platform in the New York City Metropolitan area”, according to the Fort Hamilton MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. The Fort Hamilton overview says the post is home to the New York City Recruiting Battalion, the Military Entrance Processing Station and the North Atlantic Division Headquarters of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The coastal defense fort’s cornerstone was set in 1825, and the first garrison flag was raised in 1831.

In-processing

“All incoming military/civilian personnel must report to the visitor’s center located on 101st St. and Sterling Dr. next to the main gate”, and everyone needs a visitor’s pass on the installation, the check-in page says (718-630-4848; after hours, the Provost Marshal Office at 718-630-4709). Military personnel assigned to Fort Hamilton in-process through their assigned unit. For a welcome packet, contact Army Community Service at 114 White Ave., Building 114, across from the Military Entrance Processing Station (718-630-4754).

If you get married before you PCS, inform your commander and follow the procedures exactly; “The Military will not pay for travel and housing of your spouse if you do not follow proper procedures.”

Lodging

“Temporary lodging reservations must be made in advance to ensure availability”, the page says. The IHG Army Hotel at 107 Schum Ave. has a 24-hour front desk (718-439-2340; central reservations 877-711-8326).

Housing: Balfour Beatty Communities

“Housing on Fort Hamilton is managed through Balfour Beatty Communities”, reachable at 718-333-5815, per the overview. The housing area includes six historic residences on Colonel’s Row, 70 modern townhouses for officers and senior NCOs, 60 older-style high-rise apartments and 150 newer three- and four-bedroom apartments, along with playgrounds, a walking and fitness trail and parking, which the overview calls “A very scarce commodity in Brooklyn!” The Residential Communities Initiative office is at 128 Wainwright Drive (718-630-4785), according to the housing page. As listed on the overview in October 2026, Brooklyn’s cost of living index for the area is 153.6.

Medical care: no emergency room on post

“There is no emergency room located on Fort Hamilton”, the health care page says; there is an emergency room at the Veterans Administration hospital immediately outside the 7th Avenue gate, and the page adds that a number of hospitals with emergency rooms are in the immediate area. Before you need one, find the emergency room nearest your home and confirm with TRICARE how emergency care is covered for your family. The nearest U.S. Army medical treatment facility is Keller Army Hospital at West Point, approximately a 90-minute drive away. For active-duty dental care in the greater NYC area and Long Island, the primary provider is the VA Hospital Dental Clinic adjacent to Fort Hamilton (718-836-6600).

Schools: New York City Department of Education

“The New York City Department of Education is the largest public school system in the United States”, per the education page, and you may enroll children in public, private or parochial schools throughout the city; you are not limited to the schools closest to the garrison. The Fort Hamilton School Liaison Office helps with enrollment.

Before you arrive

Plan to stop at the visitor’s center first, book the IHG Army Hotel early, contact Balfour Beatty about on-post housing, and, because there is no emergency room on post, find the one nearest your home before you need it.