Fort Sill, OK

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Lawton, Oklahoma
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Sill was established in 1869 by General Philip Sheridan during the Indian Wars and is one of only three Army installations that have been in continuous operation since before the Civil War. Located near Lawton in southwestern Oklahoma, it covers approximately 94,000 acres of rolling plains. Fort Sill is home to the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE) and serves as the home of the Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery branches, making it the premier fires training installation in the Army.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Train, educate, and develop Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery professionals and provide installation support for all assigned and tenant organizations.
Major Units: U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE), 428th Field Artillery Brigade (primary training brigade), 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 75th Field Artillery Brigade
Tenant Units: 1st Battalion 40th Infantry Regiment (training support), Missile Defense Agency elements, Marine Corps Detachment (joint training), National Guard and Reserve training units, DLI field office

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Lawton, OK (approximately 5 miles east of Main Gate); Oklahoma City, OK (approximately 90 miles northeast)
Nearest Commercial Airport: Lawton-Fort Sill Regional Airport (LAW) — approximately 6 miles; Will Rogers World Airport (Oklahoma City) — approximately 90 miles
Gate Access: Sheridan Road Gate is the primary entrance; 24/7 access for authorized personnel; visitor passes issued at the Sheridan Gate Visitor Control Center; valid government-issued photo ID required; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required; vehicles subject to inspection

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 9,000-12,000 (fluctuates with training populations)
Family Members: Approximately 14,000-18,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 4,000-6,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 30,000-40,000

Key Facilities

Medical: Reynolds Army Health Clinic (formerly Reynolds Army Community Hospital, now downgraded to outpatient clinic) — provides primary care, specialty outpatient clinics, and ancillary services; inpatient and emergency care available at local Comanche County Memorial Hospital or OU Medical Center (Oklahoma City) for complex cases
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on post
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — Army & Air Force Exchange Service main store with retail, food court, and specialty shops
Fitness & Recreation: Randolph Fitness Center and additional fitness facilities across post; Scott Pool; Fort Sill Golf Course; Patriot Club; bowling center; outdoor recreation areas on Quanah Parker Lake
Schools: Lawton Public Schools and Elgin Public Schools serve on-post families; no DoDEA schools at this location; MacArthur High School and other Lawton schools are primary options for dependents
Childcare: Child Development Center on post; demand typically moderate; apply upon receipt of orders; School Age Services also available on post
Veterinary Services: Fort Sill Veterinary Treatment Facility — offers routine wellness, vaccinations, heartworm testing, and flea/tick prevention for military-owned pets; appointment required
Legal Assistance / JAG: FCoE Office of the Staff Judge Advocate — located on Main Post; legal assistance by appointment; walk-in powers of attorney and notary services available; tax assistance during tax season (VITA program)

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Residential Communities Initiative (Lendlease); multiple neighborhoods; approximately 1,800+ family housing units; housing ranges from older renovated units to newer construction
Average Wait Time: Typically 1-4 months; smaller installations tend to have shorter waits than large bases
Off-Post Housing: Lawton and the surrounding communities (Cache, Elgin, Fletcher) offer affordable off-post housing; average rent for a 3-bedroom home in the Lawton area ranges approximately $800-$1,150/month
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Gaining unit S1 assigns sponsors; training units have specific sponsorship procedures for students arriving for AIT or officer basic courses; contact your gaining unit or school house
In-Processing: Report to the Installation Personnel Administration Center; training students in-process through their school or brigade; installation in-processing typically takes 2-4 days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Enrollment through Reynolds Army Health Clinic EFMP coordinator; Army Community Service provides EFMP support services; enrollment required before PCS for eligible family members; Lawton community has some special education resources

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Semi-arid continental — hot summers (100+ F possible), cold winters with occasional ice storms and snow; very windy; tornado risk in spring is significant in southwestern Oklahoma
Cost of Living: Low — Lawton and the surrounding area offer a cost of living well below the national average; housing is particularly affordable
Nearby Attractions: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (approximately 20 miles northwest — wildlife, hiking, rock climbing, prairie dog towns); Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum (on post — one of the best Army museums in the country); Oklahoma City (approximately 90 miles — Bricktown, National Memorial, Thunder NBA games)
Spouse Employment: Lawton has a limited job market relative to its military population; healthcare, education, retail, and government are primary sectors; remote work is popular; Cameron University (located in Lawton) provides educational opportunities

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/sill/
Main Installation Phone: (580) 442-8111
MWR Website: https://sill.armymwr.com/
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS) — located in Building 4700; contact (580) 442-4191 for relocation assistance, financial readiness, newcomer orientation, and family advocacy programs

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: home.army.mil/sill, sill.armymwr.com, Reynolds Army Health Clinic public affairs, Lawton Public Schools, Fort Sill National Historic Landmark and Museum, DoD installation population estimates