USAG Hohenfels

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

Overview

USAG Hohenfels is a U.S. Army garrison located in the Upper Palatinate region of Bavaria, Germany, approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Regensburg. The installation is built around one of Europe’s premier combat training environments and has hosted U.S. forces since the post-World War II occupation period. Hohenfels is the home of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), the U.S. Army’s only combat training center in Europe, providing realistic force-on-force and constructive training for U.S. and allied forces.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: To provide rigorous, realistic combat training for U.S. and multinational forces in Europe through the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, enhancing NATO interoperability and USAREUR-AF readiness.
Major Units: Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC); 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (Opposing Force — OPFOR); various training support units assigned to JMRC
Tenant Units: Rotational combat brigades from U.S. Army divisions; NATO partner nation units undergoing JMRC rotations; Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA); AAFES

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Regensburg, approximately 50 km (31 miles) northwest; Nuremberg, approximately 80 km (50 miles) west
Nearest Commercial Airport: Nuremberg Airport (NUE), approximately 80 km (50 miles) west; Munich International Airport (MUC), approximately 130 km (80 miles) south
Gate Access: Main gate (Hohenfels Main Gate) operates with CAC access and visitor control. Visitors must be sponsored by an authorized installation user and present valid government-issued photo ID at the Visitor Control Center. Gate hours and procedures subject to current force protection level — verify upon PCS.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 3,000-5,000 (permanent party; significant additional rotational population during JMRC rotations)
Family Members: Approximately 2,500-4,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 500-1,500 (U.S. and local national)
Total Installation Population: Approximately 5,000-10,000 (excluding rotational training forces)

Key Facilities

Medical: Hohenfels Health Clinic (primary care, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy); more complex cases referred to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) or regional German civilian hospitals
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary serving the garrison community; adequate selection for most household needs
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — AAFES Exchange (PX) with main store, food court options, gas station, and concessions
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers; sports fields; recreation center; Outdoor Recreation program; MWR programming for families and single Soldiers; hunting and fishing opportunities in the training area (with proper permits)
Schools: DoDEA Hohenfels Elementary School; Hohenfels Middle/High School (DoDEA); schools serve the permanent party dependent population
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on post; School Age Services (SAS); waitlists are common for CDC — enroll immediately upon receipt of PCS orders; contact the garrison for current availability
Veterinary Services: Military veterinary clinic on post for routine wellness, vaccinations, and preventive care for authorized patron pets; appointment recommended
Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal Assistance Office on post; services include wills, powers of attorney, tax assistance (VITA), and general legal counseling; walk-in and appointment services — confirm current hours with the JAG office

Housing

On-Post Housing: Privatized housing managed under the USAREUR housing program; apartments and townhomes available for families; housing condition is generally adequate with ongoing improvements
Average Wait Time: Varies; can range from immediate to several months depending on grade and family size; contact Housing Services Office (HSO) upon receipt of PCS orders
Off-Post Housing: Limited off-post housing in and around Hohenfels village and nearby communities (Parsberg, Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz, Beratzhausen). Market is small; availability can be limited. Average rent for 3-4 bedroom home: approximately EUR 700-1,200 per month (approximately USD 760-1,310). Housing Services Office maintains an approved landlord list.
BAH Rate Reference: Check current Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Request a sponsor through the gaining unit S1 or battalion sponsorship coordinator prior to departure. Sponsors assist with initial housing, school enrollment, and post familiarization. JMRC units coordinate sponsorship through unit channels.
In-Processing: Report to the In-Processing Center at the garrison upon arrival with all PCS orders and family documents. In-processing covers finance, medical, housing, vehicle registration, and unit reporting. Timeline typically 2-5 days.
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP office located within ACS at USAG Hohenfels. Mandatory pre-PCS enrollment for family members with special medical or educational needs. The installation’s relatively remote location means some specialized services may require travel to larger urban centers. EFMP staff will assess availability of local German resources before the move.

OCONUS-Specific Information

SOFA Status: U.S. forces in Germany are covered by the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) and the Germany Supplementary Agreement (Truppenstatut). SOFA governs jurisdiction, tax and customs privileges, and the legal status of U.S. personnel in Germany. Personnel are subject to German law when off-post.
Host Nation Rules: German laws apply off-post including traffic regulations, environmental laws, and noise ordinances (Ruhezeit). Recycling is mandatory (color-coded bin system). Speed limits are strictly enforced; some Autobahn sections have advisory limits only. Alcohol limit for driving is 0.5 BAC (0.0 for new drivers under 21 or with less than 2 years licensed).
Curfew Policy: No installation-wide adult curfew as of last update; unit commanders may impose curfews on junior enlisted personnel based on operational requirements and theater policy. Verify current USAREUR-AF policies upon arrival.
Ration Card / Customs: USAREUR ration card system applies; tax-free purchases of alcohol and tobacco are limited per ration allowances. Reselling duty-free goods to German nationals is prohibited and constitutes a violation of German customs law and the UCMJ.
Vehicle Registration & Licensing: POVs must be registered with the USAREUR Vehicle Registration Office and issued USAREUR “Y-plates.” Personnel must hold a valid USAREUR operator’s permit in addition to a U.S. state license. Imported vehicles must meet German/EU technical safety standards (equivalent of TUV inspection). Motorcycle endorsements required for motorcycle operation.
Language & Culture: German; local Bavarian dialect is spoken in the community. English is rarely spoken in the immediate Hohenfels area — basic German is highly recommended and ACS provides language classes. German culture values punctuality, quiet hours, and separating recycling correctly. Bavarian traditions including festivals and church holidays are prominent.
Currency & Banking: Euro (EUR). Community Bank or equivalent on-post banking services; ATMs available on post and in nearby Parsberg and Neumarkt. Online banking with USAA, Navy Federal, and similar military institutions is widely used.
Travel Restrictions: Personnel must comply with unit leave policies. Travel within Schengen is generally permitted for short trips with commander notification per unit policy. Some destinations require specific leave approval. Carry identification at all times when off-post per USAREUR policy.
Mail: APO address: [Name/Unit], APO AE 09173 (verify unit APO ZIP code through unit mail room). Mail delivery from CONUS typically 7-14 days. APO address restrictions apply for certain commercial deliveries.
Pets: Same Germany-wide regulations apply: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination, and EU-format health certificate (USDA Form 7001) required. No general quarantine for dogs and cats from the U.S. Breed restrictions in Bavaria — consult installation vet clinic and current Bavarian animal law. Register pets with installation veterinary services upon arrival.

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Temperate continental; cold, moderately snowy winters and warm summers. The Upper Palatinate can be quite cold and grey in winter. Summer is pleasant with temperatures 18-24 degrees Celsius (64-75 degrees Fahrenheit).
Cost of Living: Below average for Germany; the rural Upper Palatinate region is more affordable than Munich or Frankfurt. Local food and services are reasonably priced.
Nearby Attractions: Regensburg (UNESCO World Heritage medieval city, approximately 50 km); Nuremberg (historical city center, documentation center, approximately 80 km); Altmuehltal Nature Park (hiking, cycling); Ingolstadt (Audi Museum, historic old town, approximately 70 km); Bavarian lake district accessible for day trips.
Spouse Employment: On-post NAF and AAFES positions available; MyCAA scholarships for eligible military spouses; ACS Spouse Employment Program provides resources and job search support. Remote and telework positions are common. Off-post employment in the local German economy is limited due to the rural setting and requires work authorization.

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://home.army.mil/hohenfels
Main Installation Phone: DSN 467-1110 or commercial +49-9472-83-1110 (approximate; verify with current directory)
MWR Website: https://hohenfels.armymwr.com/
ACS / Army Community Service: ACS office on post; provides relocation assistance, EFMP services, financial counseling, family advocacy, and spouse employment support; contact through garrison directory

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM Europe (home.army.mil/hohenfels); Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC); USAREUR-AF; Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) OHA tables; DoDEA Europe; USAREUR SOFA and ration control policies