USAG Grafenwoehr

Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Grafenwoehr, Bavaria, Germany
Installation Type: Garrison
Status: Active

Overview

USAG Grafenwoehr is one of the largest and most strategically important U.S. Army installations in Europe, located in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, Germany. The installation has been home to the U.S. Army’s premier combat training area since 1910, and U.S. forces have operated there since the end of World War II. It serves as the home of the 7th Army Training Command (7ATC) and provides the largest live-fire training area in Europe, supporting NATO readiness and the U.S. European Command.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: To provide world-class combat training, education, and leader development for U.S. and allied forces across Europe in support of NATO and USAREUR-AF readiness objectives.
Major Units: 7th Army Training Command (7ATC); 12th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) (periodically based/rotational); various training support battalions and tenant training organizations
Tenant Units: Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) — the Army’s only combat training center in Europe; NATO partner nation units in training; Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA); AAFES

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Nuremberg, approximately 90 km (56 miles) southwest
Nearest Commercial Airport: Nuremberg Airport (NUE), approximately 90 km (56 miles) southwest; Munich International Airport (MUC), approximately 160 km (100 miles) south
Gate Access: Main gate operates 24 hours with CAC access; visitor passes issued at the Visitor Control Center (VCC). Visitors must be sponsored by an authorized installation user and present valid government-issued photo ID. Commercial vehicles require separate coordination.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 10,000-14,000 (including permanent party and rotational forces)
Family Members: Approximately 8,000-12,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,000-4,000 (U.S. and local national)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 20,000-30,000 (fluctuates with rotational training units)

Key Facilities

Medical: Tower Barracks Health Clinic (primary care, dental, behavioral health); serious cases referred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) or German civilian hospitals; Army Public Health Nursing services available
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary at Tower Barracks; one of the larger USAREUR commissaries serving a large installation population
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large AAFES Exchange (PX) at Tower Barracks with main store, food court, Class VI, auto shop, and various concessions
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers across the installation; indoor and outdoor pools; recreation centers; bowling alley; golf course; sports fields; Rod and Gun Club; Outdoor Recreation equipment rental; Grafenwoehr Community Recreation Area (GCRA) lake area with camping and water sports
Schools: DoDEA Grafenwoehr Elementary School; Grafenwoehr Middle/High School (DoDEA); Department of Defense Dependents Schools serve the community
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) at Tower Barracks; School Age Services (SAS); Family Child Care (FCC) network on post; waitlists are common — enroll early upon receipt of PCS orders
Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic on post offering routine wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive care for pets of authorized patrons; call ahead for appointment
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office located at Tower Barracks; services include wills, powers of attorney, tax assistance (VITA), and general legal advice; walk-in hours and appointments available — check with the office for current schedule

Housing

On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities (or current privatized housing partner); multiple neighborhoods on Tower Barracks and other areas; housing includes apartments and townhomes; condition is generally good with ongoing renovation programs
Average Wait Time: Varies by unit size and housing category; can range from a few weeks to several months; contact Housing Services Office (HSO) immediately upon receipt of PCS orders
Off-Post Housing: Available in Grafenwoehr town and surrounding communities (Eschenbach, Pressath, Auerbach, Weiden). Average rent for a 3-4 bedroom home: approximately EUR 800-1,400 per month (approximately USD 870-1,530). Market is competitive due to installation presence; engage Housing Services Office for approved landlord lists and OHA guidance.
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 S1 or battalion sponsorship coordinator to be assigned a sponsor prior to departure from home station; sponsors assist with housing, school enrollment, and local orientation upon arrival.
In-Processing: Report to the Installation In-Processing Center at Tower Barracks with PCS orders, family records, and all personnel documents. Full in-processing typically takes 3-5 days and covers finance, medical, housing, vehicle registration, and unit check-in.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): ACS EFMP office located at Tower Barracks. Pre-PCS EFMP enrollment is mandatory for family members with special medical or educational needs. The office coordinates with local German medical and special education providers to assess availability of required services prior to the move.

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: U.S. forces in Germany operate under the NATO SOFA and the Agreement to Supplement the NATO SOFA (Germany Supplementary Agreement). This agreement governs jurisdiction, customs privileges, tax-free purchasing rights, and the legal framework for U.S. personnel on German soil. Personnel are subject to German law off-post.
Host Nation Rules: German traffic laws are strictly enforced (speed limits, alcohol limits of 0.5 BAC for most drivers, 0.0 BAC for new drivers). Noise ordinances (Ruhezeit) restrict loud activities typically from 1300-1500 and 2200-0600. Recycling is mandatory and complex — familiarize yourself with the German waste separation system (Gelbe Tonne, Biotonne, Restmuell, Papiertonne).
Curfew Policy: No installation-wide curfew for adults as of last update; junior enlisted personnel may be subject to unit-level curfew policies based on commander’s authority. USAREUR-AF may publish theater-level policies — check current USAREUR-AF General Order No. 1 equivalent.
Ration Card / Customs: USAREUR ration control card system applies to all authorized users. Tax-free alcohol and tobacco purchases are limited per ration card allowances. Reselling duty-free goods to German nationals is strictly prohibited and constitutes a customs violation punishable under German law and the UCMJ.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: All POVs must be registered with the USAREUR Vehicle Registration Office; personnel must hold a current USAREUR operator’s permit in addition to a valid U.S. state driver’s license. Imported vehicles must pass a German TUV inspection equivalent. Personnel must obtain German license plates (USAREUR “Y-plates”) for POVs. Motorcycle operators require additional endorsement.
Language & Culture: German; Bavarian dialect is common in the local area. English is spoken in some commercial areas near post but limited in rural Bavarian communities. German language classes are offered through ACS and the Education Center. Cultural adaptation classes (BOSS, ACS) are recommended for newcomers.
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR). Community Bank (on post) provides banking services including checking, savings, and loans for military personnel. ATMs on post and in Grafenwoehr town. USAA, Navy Federal, and other military banks accessible online and via OCONUS ATM networks.
Travel Restrictions: IAW unit leave policies and USAREUR-AF theater policies; travel within the Schengen Area is generally unrestricted for short trips but personnel must carry identification at all times. Some countries require leave forms and commander notification. Countries outside Schengen or with specific travel advisories may require additional approval.
Mail: APO address: Unit/Name, APO AE 09114 (Tower Barracks area; verify unit-specific APO ZIP code). Mail typically takes 7-14 days from the continental U.S. Use USPS Priority Mail Military for faster delivery. Amazon and other retailers deliver to APO addresses with varying restrictions.
Pets: Germany does not impose quarantine for pets from the U.S. provided the animal has ISO-standard microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an EU-format health certificate (USDA-endorsed Form 7001 or equivalent). Certain breeds are restricted in Bavaria — confirm current banned breed list with installation veterinary clinic. Echinococcus tapeworm treatment is required before entering some European countries. Register pets with installation veterinary services upon arrival.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate continental; cold winters with moderate snowfall, warm summers. Average summer temperatures 18-25 degrees Celsius (65-77 degrees Fahrenheit); winter temperatures frequently below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). Training areas can be extremely cold in winter.
Cost of Living: Moderate for Germany; the local rural Bavarian economy keeps costs lower than Munich or Frankfurt. Off-post housing and groceries are reasonably priced.
Nearby Attractions: Nuremberg (historic Old City, Nazi Documentation Center, Christmas market — approximately 90 minutes); Bayreuth (Wagner Festival, Hermitage Palace — approximately 45 minutes); Czech Republic border towns (Pilsen, approximately 60 minutes); Bavarian Forest National Park; Weiden in der Oberpfalz (closest city for shopping and dining — approximately 20 minutes).
Spouse Employment: NAF and AAFES positions available on post; Spouse Employment Program through ACS; MyCAA scholarships available for eligible military spouses; off-post employment in German economy requires work authorization (expedited under SOFA for some categories). Remote/telework opportunities are increasingly available.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/grafenwoehr
Main Installation Phone: DSN 475-1110 or commercial +49-9641-83-1110 (approximate; verify with current directory)
MWR Website: https://grafenwoehr.armymwr.com/
ACS / Army Community Service: ACS office located at Tower Barracks; services include relocation assistance, financial counseling, EFMP, spouse employment, and family advocacy; contact through garrison directory

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM Europe (home.army.mil/grafenwoehr); 7th Army Training Command (7atc.army.mil); USAREUR-AF; Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) OHA tables; DoDEA Europe; USAREUR SOFA and ration control policies; Balfour Beatty Communities USAREUR housing information, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law