U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Baumholder, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Installation Type: U.S. Army Garrison (USAG)
Status: Active

Overview

U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder, known informally as “the Rock,” is located in the wooded hills of the Westpfalz (Western Palatinate) region of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate. One of the largest U.S. Army garrisons in Europe, Baumholder currently hosts the largest concentration of combat Soldiers outside the continental United States. The garrison consists of three main sites in Baumholder, Idar-Oberstein, and Neubruecke, and is part of USAG Rheinland-Pfalz. The U.S. military presence dates to 1951, when American forces took over from French occupation troops.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: Support and sustain deployed and rotational forces; enable combat readiness through world-class training ranges and garrison services; strengthen U.S.-German partnerships in the European theater.
Major Units: 1st Armored Division elements; 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; 16th Sustainment Brigade; 30th Medical Command elements; 405th Army Field Support Brigade; 102nd Signal Battalion
Tenant Units: 240th Quartermaster; 92nd Military Police Company; 720th EOD Company; 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion; 515th Transportation Unit; Warrior Transition Unit; U.S. Army Health Clinic Baumholder; various V Corps units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Kaiserslautern, Germany – approximately 60 km east; Trier, Germany – approximately 80 km northwest; Frankfurt, Germany – approximately 120 km northeast
Nearest Commercial Airport: Frankfurt Airport (FRA) – approximately 130 km; Luxembourg Airport (LUX) – approximately 110 km
Gate Access: Smith Barracks main gate is the primary entry point; 24/7 access for CAC/military ID holders; visitor passes issued at gate; all visitors require military sponsor coordination

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 5,000
Family Members: Approximately 5,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000 (U.S. and local national employees and contractors)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 12,000

Key Facilities

Medical: U.S. Army Health Clinic Baumholder on Smith Barracks; primary care, dental, preventive medicine, behavioral health; specialty referrals to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (approximately 60 km east)
Commissary: Yes – DeCA commissary on post; full-service grocery store
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes – AAFES main store and food court; shoppettes throughout the garrison
Fitness & Recreation: Fitness centers on post; MWR outdoor recreation; ITT/ITR travel office; ACS Lending Closet for short-term household goods; bowling; library
Schools: DoDEA Baumholder Elementary School and Baumholder International High School on post; German public kindergartens available for American children in the local community
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on Smith Barracks; waitlists possible; register early upon receipt of orders; contact through garrison CDC
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on post; wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care; call for appointment availability
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office on post; appointment-based services; contact through garrison legal office directory

Housing

On-Post Housing: Government-owned family housing areas including Wetzel Family Housing Area and Smith Family Housing Area; E1-O6 with command-sponsored dependents on accompanied 36-month tours required to live on post until 95% occupancy reached; waitlist typically 1-8 weeks; Army investing over $700 million in Wetzel Housing Area renovations including new townhouses, apartments, elementary school, playgrounds – major construction underway, completion projected 2027
Average Wait Time: 1-8 weeks depending on bedroom requirement; verify with Housing Services Office
Off-Post Housing: German economy housing available in Baumholder and surrounding villages; Housing Services Office can assist with lease negotiations; U.S. Army asking German landlords to rent more homes as troop numbers increase (per 2024 reports); average rent EUR 700-1,200/month; note 220V German electrical system; up to 300 additional off-post rentals needed by 2029 due to force growth
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 unit upon receipt of orders; sponsor assigned to assist with arrival and settling in; ACS Culture College 101 (2-day German culture/language orientation) strongly recommended for all newcomers
In-Processing: Report to the Welcome Center on Smith Barracks; standard in-processing appointment schedule including Housing, Finance, Medical, and Personnel; typically 2-3 business days
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Army Community Service, Smith Barracks; enrollment required prior to PCS; assess availability of specialist services in the Kaiserslautern-Baumholder area; Landstuhl Regional Medical Center provides extensive specialty care

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: Germany is covered by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement; U.S. personnel subject to German jurisdiction for off-post offenses except where the U.S. retains jurisdiction; customs and tax exemptions apply for SOFA-status personnel
Host Nation Rules: German traffic law (Strassenverkehrsordnung) applies off-post; blood alcohol limit 0.05% (strictly enforced), 0.0% for drivers under 21; Ruhezeit (quiet hours) observed 1300-1500 and 2200-0700 daily and all day Sunday; recycling separation mandatory in German economy housing; Sundays are generally quiet with most shops closed
Curfew Policy: No formal installation curfew for adults; unit commanders may impose liberty restrictions; USAREUR-AF curfew policies apply
Ration Card / Customs: U.S. Forces Tax-Relief Program in Germany provides exemption from German VAT on purchases at on-post facilities; vehicle fuel tax exemption available through proper registration; purchase limits on certain goods apply
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: USAREUR driving license required; valid for on-post driving and German roads; German license required after 12 months; POVs must meet German technical inspection (TUV) standards or use USAREUR force registration; Motor Vehicle Registry on Smith Barracks
Language & Culture: German (standard German and regional Pfaelzisch dialect); ACS Culture College 101 is the primary cultural orientation resource; German language courses available through the Education Center; locals in Baumholder are accustomed to American presence but appreciate basic German phrases
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR); banking facilities on post; ATMs available; German banks and credit unions in Baumholder city
Travel Restrictions: Schengen Area accessible for personal travel; France, Luxembourg, Belgium accessible within 2-3 hours; command approval required for travel to high-risk areas per USAREUR-AF policy
Mail: APO AE 09034 (Smith Barracks, Baumholder); mail delivery typically 7-14 days from CONUS; German postal services (Deutsche Post) available for local and international parcels
Pets: No quarantine for dogs/cats entering Germany from the U.S. if properly vaccinated (rabies) and microchipped (ISO 15-digit); EU pet passport or USDA-endorsed health certificate required; breed restrictions in Rhineland-Palatinate apply; Veterinary Treatment Facility advises on import requirements

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate; warm summers (average 22C/72F in July); cool wet winters with frequent overcast; Westpfalz region is forested and rural; some of the hilliest terrain in the Palatinate
Cost of Living: Moderate; OHA and COLA account for German costs; Baumholder town itself is small with limited shopping; larger shopping in Idar-Oberstein (25 km) or Kaiserslautern (60 km)
Nearby Attractions: Moselle River wine valley and castles (approximately 80 km); Trier (Roman ruins, oldest city in Germany, 80 km); Rhine River gorge and Loreley (approximately 80 km); Nurburgring race circuit (approximately 80 km); Saar-Hunsruck Nature Park hiking and cycling adjacent to base; France and Luxembourg easily accessible (1-2 hours)
Spouse Employment: Limited English-language employment locally; USAG Rheinland-Pfalz NAF positions available; DoDEA teaching positions; remote work common for military spouses; ACS Employment Readiness Program assists; Kaiserslautern (60 km) and Idar-Oberstein offer more options

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/rheinland-pfalz (USAG Rheinland-Pfalz covers Baumholder and Kaiserslautern)
Main Installation Phone: DSN 531-1110; civilian +49-6783-6-1110
MWR Website: https://baumholder.armymwr.com
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Army Community Service (ACS), Smith Barracks; DSN 531-2352; relocation assistance, financial readiness, employment readiness, family advocacy, lending closet, Culture College 101

Last updated: 2026-02-23
Sources: https://home.army.mil/rheinland-pfalz; https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/usag-rheinland-pfalz-baumholder; https://militarybases.com/overseas/germany/baumholder; https://www.army.mil/article/284896/qualityoflifeprojectstransformingwetzelhousingareain_baumholder