LOCATION:
USA: Fort Polk is located in Vernon Parish in West-Central Louisiana, better known as "The Crossroads".
Close to our front gate are the nearby towns of Leesville, La, (low cost area), located in Vernon Parish; and DeRidder, La, (low cost area), located in Beauregard Parish. Louisiana has PARISHES not COUNTIES as other states do; and if you're looking for an area filled with big, loving families who wrap their arms around you and each other on their wrap-around porches, you're coming to the right place.
We're about 45 miles from Alexandria, 70 miles from Lake Charles, 120 from Shreveport, 150 from Baton Rouge, 250 from New Orleans, and 180 from Houston. Fort Polk is approximately 3.4 miles east of U.S. Highway 171 and approximately 4 miles south of Highway 28. For maps of North and South Fort Polk, please visit our JRTC and Fort Polk Homepage.
HISTORY:
Camp Polk - named for Confederate Lieutenant General and Episcopal Bishop Leonides Polk - was officially completed August 1, 1941. Soldiers of the World War II and Vietnam eras would scarcely recognize the new Fort Polk. Most of the old wooden buildings have been replaced with modern barracks, motor pools, unit administrative offices, and service facilities. More than 4,000 married soldiers reside with their families in recently constructed on-post housing units as well. After more than half a century of service, U.S. leaders continue to place their confidence in Fort Polk. In July 1993, the Joint Readiness Training Center, one of the Defense Department's premier training facilities, relocated here from Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
Soldiers of Fort Polk have been called to serve around the world in recent history and will continue to be one of the best trained contingency of Service Members to be found anywhere in the world.
MISSION:
The Joint Readiness Training Center provides advance level joint training for the Army (Active and Reserve Component), Air Force and Navy contingency forces in deployment and tactical operations under realistic conditions of low to mid intensity combat.
Currently Fort Polk is supporting the war on terrorism by providing contingency training for the Army's light infantry and special operations forces and by deploying home station and reserve component forces in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, and Iraqi Freedom.
The JRTC and Fort Polk is experiencing a tremendous transformation to be able to continue to accomplish our missions as a Combat Training Center, Power Projection Platform and a Modern Installation that supports our soldiers and families. For more information you will want to visit our JRTC and Fort Polk Installation Homepage; and reference the SITES topic "Major Unit Listing".
POPULATION SERVED:
DoD personnel to include Service/Family Members, retirees, civilians, contractors, joint services, and local off post communities. Population on post runs between 8,000 and 9,000.
SPONSORSHIP:
REQUESTS: Consolidated In and Out Processing Center; 2030 14th St.; ATTN:G1, SGM Webb; Fort Polk La, 71459. (337) 531-1126; DSN 863-1126.
MAIL: Prior to Arrival, personnel go to their present Post Office, show two forms of identification, purchase money order, and fill out request forms for a Fort Polk post office box. The present Post Office will forward all information to Fort Polk. A box number is assigned and all pertinent information returned to original Post Office.
NEW ARRIVALS: Duty hours: Central In and Out Processing, 2030 14th Street, Bldg 1830, (337) 531-7952/7307; DSN 863-7952/7307. After Duty Hours: report to Welch Magnolia Guest House, 7326 Utah Avenue, Bldg 522. (337) 531-9200; 863-9200.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS:
Lodging Office/Billeting---Reservations for soldiers arriving incident to permanent-change-of-station (PCS), WITH or WITHOUT family members, AND for official Temporary Duty (TDY) visitors are accomplished at the WELCH MAGNOLIA GUEST HOUSE, 7326 Utah Avenue, Bldg. 522, (337) 531-9200, DSN 863-9200. There are NO reduced room rates after the first 10 days of occupancy (REFERENCE AR 210-50). Receipts for temporary lodging must be provided to the Finance Office for reimbursement. Contact Welch Magnolia Guest House for additional information and assistance. Pet friendly rooms offered upon request or availability.
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
SERVICES: Welcoming Services, Newcomer & Reentry Family Day Orientation, Waiting Spouse & Adult Craft classes, CONUS/OCONUS orientations, Sponsorship training, Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES - automated Welcom Packet). The Lending Closet: 0830-1600, Mon-Wed,& Fri, Thur-closed except for emergencies. Location: Bldg 920, Army Community Service (ACS), 1591 Bell Richard Ave. 1-800-227-1071, (337) 531-6923/6952/6941, DSN 863-####.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION:
DANGEROUS DOG COMMAND POLICY: DANGEROUS BREEDS: any full or mixed Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire, Bull Terriers, English Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Rotweilers, Chows, Wolf Hybrids, or any other breed with dominant traits geared towards aggression.
NEWCOMER & REENTRY FAMILY DAY ORIENTATION: an Installation Mandated Orientation, held every Thursday, designed to help prepare Service and Family member(s)adapt to life in the U.S. and Fort Polk community in coordination with the Military Personnel Division. FREE ON SITE CHILDCARE by our accreditated child care givers; lunch and snacks provided
FURNITURE MANAGEMENT OFFICE (FMO): NO (FMO: a service that provides furniture/bedding on post) AAFES, WAL MART, Discount Stores, etc, sell convience AIR MATTRESS kits.
FIELD OFFICER OF THE DAY (FOD): 6661 Warrior Trail, BLDG 350, (337) 531-1726/1727, DSN 863-1726/1727.