White Sands Missile Range

“White Sands Missile Range is a national asset critical for enabling national security modernization through independent development testing, operational testing and evaluation”, according to the White Sands MilitaryINSTALLATIONS page. The WSMR overview says the Headquarters area is 20 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas. In October 2026 it added: “Currently, there is no base operator. Contact your gaining unit or sponsor for updated information.”

Reporting and in-processing

“All newly arriving Active-Duty Army Service Members will report to their unit of assignment first”, the check-in page says. Your orderly room, S1 or G1 notifies the Military Personnel Division, and you in-process with the MPD in Building 465, Room 143, on the first Tuesday after arrival from 8 to 10 a.m. (575-678-7645). Sponsorship is available; contact your gaining unit before you arrive to request it.

The Installation Newcomer and Spouse Orientation, with a bus tour, takes place every six weeks on the third Wednesday of the designated month at Army Community Service, Building 250, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; “The Newcomer Briefing is mandatory for all military personnel.” The page also notes that the Army Career Tracker website was sunset in November 2025, so soldiers update contact information in IPPS-A.

Housing: White Sands Homes

“Family housing at U.S. army Garrison White Sands Missile Range is privatized and managed by Balfour Beatty Communities”, per the housing page. Before you transfer, contact the White Sands Homes Office at 575-674-2463; you are placed on a waitlist for your grade and family composition and receive a confirmation letter with the address and move-in date, which you give the transportation office to schedule your move. The Garrison Housing Office at 102 Headquarters Avenue oversees all housing and can help with realtors in El Paso and Las Cruces (575-678-6133). Temporary lodging is at the IHG Army Hotel Organ Mountains Inn Historia (575-288-3220).

Medical care: no emergency or urgent care

“McAfee U.S. Army Health Clinic Does NOT Have Emergency or Urgent Care Capabilities”, the health care page says. Ambulance services are available 24/7: call 575-678-1234 from a cell phone or 911 from a landline. The clinic is at 1363 Aberdeen Avenue (575-674-3500).

Wildlife on the roads

The installation warns that WSMR is home to deer, elk, javelina, desert bighorn sheep and oryx, and asks drivers to pay special attention on Highway 213.

Schools: Las Cruces Public Schools

“There is one PreK-8 School on the installation which is run by the Las Cruces Public School District”, per the education page, and high school students living on the installation are assigned to Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces.

Before you arrive

Contact your gaining unit for sponsorship and updated phone numbers, get on the White Sands Homes waitlist before you transfer, save 575-678-1234 as your cell phone emergency number, and plan for the mandatory newcomer briefing.