Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Installation Type: Garrison
Status: Active

Overview

USAG Garmisch is a small U.S. Army garrison located in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps near the Austrian border. Established after World War II, the installation has historically served as a premier rest, recreation, and education center for U.S. forces in Europe. Today it is home to the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, a premier defense education institution jointly operated by the U.S. and German governments.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: To support the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies and provide quality-of-life services to assigned personnel and authorized users in the Bavarian Alps region.
• Major Units: George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (Marshall Center)
• Tenant Units: Army Recreation Area Garmisch (Edelweiss Lodge and Resort support functions); various transient TDY and conference personnel

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Munich, approximately 90 km (55 miles) north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Munich International Airport (MUC), approximately 100 km (62 miles) north
• Gate Access: Access is controlled; valid CAC or visitor pass required. Visitors must coordinate with the sponsoring unit or the Visitor Control Center prior to arrival. Gate hours vary — contact the garrison for current schedule.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 200-400 (small permanent party garrison)
• Family Members: Approximately 200-400
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 100-200 (U.S. and local national)
• Total Installation Population: Not publicly available (small garrison; population fluctuates with conference and TDY visitors)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Health Clinic Garmisch (limited outpatient care); serious cases are referred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center or German civilian hospitals
• Commissary: Yes — small commissary serving authorized patrons; limited selection compared to larger installations
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — small Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) facility on post
• Fitness & Recreation: Fitness center on post; Edelweiss Lodge and Resort (Armed Forces Recreation Center) with extensive Alpine recreation programs, skiing, hiking, and outdoor activities
• Schools: No DoDEA school on post; dependent children typically attend DoDEA schools in the Munich area or local German schools
• Childcare: Limited; families should contact the garrison ACS for current status and availability
• Veterinary Services: Veterinary clinic availability is limited at this small garrison; nearest full-service military vet clinic is at a larger USAREUR installation; German civilian veterinary care is available locally
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Limited legal assistance available on post; full-service JAG office is at larger USAREUR garrisons; contact ACS for referral information

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Limited government quarters available for assigned permanent party personnel; managed by the garrison housing office
• Average Wait Time: Not publicly available; contact Housing Office upon PCS orders receipt
• Off-Post Housing: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is a popular Bavarian resort town; off-post housing is available but can be expensive due to the tourist economy. Average rental costs for a 3-bedroom apartment range from approximately EUR 1,200-2,000 per month (approximately USD 1,300-2,200 at current exchange rates).
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit or the garrison S1/G1 to request a sponsor prior to PCS move; Army sponsorship program enrollment is handled through the unit.
• In-Processing: Report to the garrison in-processing center (Soldier Support Center) upon arrival; bring all PCS documents, orders, and family records. In-processing typically takes 1-3 days.
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Contact the Army Community Service (ACS) office at USAG Garmisch for EFMP enrollment information. Families with special needs should enroll prior to PCS to ensure host nation medical and educational resources are adequate.

OCONUS-Specific Information

• SOFA Status: U.S. forces in Germany operate under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Supplementary Agreement (Germany Troop Statute). This governs legal jurisdiction, customs privileges, tax exemptions, and the rights and responsibilities of U.S. personnel on German soil.
• Host Nation Rules: German law applies off-post. Personnel must comply with German traffic laws, noise ordinances, and local regulations. Public drinking is generally permitted in Germany but disorderly conduct is not. Respect local customs and Bavarian culture.
• Curfew Policy: No installation-wide curfew for adults as of last update; however, junior enlisted personnel may be subject to unit-level curfew policies. Check with unit leadership for current policy.
• Ration Card / Customs: USAREUR ration control applies. Personnel and family members are issued ration cards limiting tax-free purchase of alcohol and tobacco. Exceeding ration limits and reselling duty-free goods to host nation nationals is prohibited and may result in disciplinary action.
• Vehicle Registration & Licensing: All privately owned vehicles (POVs) must be registered through the USAREUR vehicle registration system. Personnel must obtain a USAREUR driver’s license (in addition to U.S. state license) to operate vehicles on German roads. Vehicles imported to Germany must meet German/EU technical standards (TUV inspection). Right-hand-drive vehicles may face restrictions.
• Language & Culture: German (Bavarian dialect prominent in Garmisch-Partenkirchen). English is spoken in tourist areas but learning basic German is strongly encouraged. Language training is available through ACS and the Education Center. Bavarian culture emphasizes hospitality, outdoor recreation, and tradition.
• Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR). On-post banking includes a Community Bank (formerly known as First Command or similar) branch or ATM; USAA and other military-friendly banks accessible online. Local German banks also available.
• Travel Restrictions: Personnel should comply with leave policies and unit travel approval requirements. Travel within the Schengen Area generally does not require additional documentation for short trips, but leave forms and commander approval are required IAW unit policy. Some countries may require notification.
• Mail: APO address through the garrison mail room. Delivery times vary; typically 7-14 days from U.S. East Coast. Mail format: [Name/Unit], CMR [Box Number], APO AE [ZIP Code].
• Pets: Germany does not impose a general quarantine for dogs and cats from the United States, provided animals have current rabies vaccination, microchip (ISO standard), and EU-format health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. Certain dog breeds are restricted or banned in Bavaria (e.g., American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier — check current Bavarian state law). Cats and dogs must be treated for Echinococcus tapeworm before re-entry to some countries. Consult the installation veterinary clinic and the German Embassy prior to travel.

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Alpine climate; cold, snowy winters (excellent skiing), mild summers. Snow possible October through April at elevation. Summer temperatures typically 15-25 degrees Celsius (60-77 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Cost of Living: Above average for Germany due to the resort town nature of Garmisch-Partenkirchen; housing and dining costs are elevated compared to other USAREUR locations.
• Nearby Attractions: Zugspitze (Germany’s highest mountain, accessible by cog railway and cable car); Neuschwanstein Castle (approximately 45 minutes); Innsbruck, Austria (approximately 40 minutes); Bavarian Alps hiking, skiing, and mountaineering; Oktoberfest in Munich (approximately 90 minutes).
• Spouse Employment: Limited on-post employment opportunities due to the small installation size. NAF and AAFES positions are available but competitive. Off-post employment in the local German economy requires work authorization; military spouses may be eligible for expedited work permit processing under SOFA provisions. ACS can provide spouse employment resources.

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/garmisch
• Main Installation Phone: DSN 440-2511 or commercial +49-8821-750-2511 (approximate; verify with current directory)
• MWR Website: https://www.imcom-europe.army.mil/ (IMCOM Europe MWR portal); Edelweiss Lodge and Resort: https://www.edelweisslodgeandresort.com/
• ACS / Army Community Service: Contact the ACS office on post for relocation assistance, EFMP, financial counseling, and family programs; phone listed through garrison directory

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM Europe (home.army.mil/garmisch); George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies (marshallcenter.org); USAREUR-AF regulations; Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) OHA tables; DoDEA Europe website; general USAREUR SOFA and ration control policy references