LOCATION: Fort Riley is located in northeastern Kansas, one hour west of Topeka, the state capitol. The two local communities are Junction City (mostly a military town) and Manhattan (mostly a college town home to Kansas State University). There are a number of small country towns and a great deal of farm land in this area. Kansas City is about 2 1/2 hours away and is home to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. There is a lot of history at Fort Riley and within the state of Kansas for those that like to travel and see what Kansas has to offer. Those who live in the local communities are friendly and helpful. The area is "laid back" with its suburban lifestyle and pace making it great for raising children. Many military families have enjoyed the area enough that they retire in the local area.
HISTORY: The early history of Fort Riley is closely tied to the movement of people and trade along the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails. These routes, a result of the United States perceived "manifest destiny" in the middle of the 19th century, extended American domination and interests into far reaches of a largely unsettled territory. During the 1850s, a number of military posts were established at strategic points to provide protection along these arteries of emigration and commerce. This location, approved by the War Department in January 1853, offered an advantageous location from which to organize, train and equip troops in protecting the overland trails. On June 27, 1853, Camp Center became Fort Riley -- named in honor of Maj. Gen. Bennett C. Riley who had led the first military escort along the Santa Fe Trail in 1829. The "fort" took shape around a broad plain that overlooked the Kansas River valley. The fort's design followed the standard frontier post configuration and buildings were constructed of current resource materials - in this case, native limestone. Anticipating greater utilization of the post, Congress authorized appropriations in the spring of 1855 to provide additional quarters and stables for the Dragoons. Fort Riley is full of more history that includes "Bleeding Kansas", General Custer, the Buffalo Soldiers, World War I and II, the Korean Conflict, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War up until today.
MISSION: Fort Riley, as an installation of Excellence, working in close partnership with local, regional and state communities provides trained and ready forces to meet Joint Force requirements across the full spectrum of current and future operations. The installation transforms and manages unit readiness, as directed by the Army Campaign Plan; executes unit re-stationing, as directed by FORSCOM; executes garrison operations, as directed by Installation Management Command; and conducts homeland defense operations and supports civil authorities.
SPONSORSHIP: Fort Riley has a quick efficient way for soldiers to obtain a sponsor or to just receive information if they prefer to not have a sponsor. Go to the Fort Riley Homepage, click on Newcomers, then Sponsorship. All the contact information you need is right there. An interactive form is also available for you to fill out and it will go automatically to Strength Management and Army Community Service to help provide the information you need. There is even a sponsorship program available for incoming youth on the same page. Incoming personnel should use a permanent mailing address or establish a local PO Box (a Post Office is located on the base) to ensure timely receipt/forwarding of personal mail while en route to Fort Riley. Service members using the gaining unit for receipt of mail should coordinate with the unit to ensure your mail is held for you and not returned. Make sure you have all your necessary documents in hand. Do not have them "packed" in the household goods or in suitcases. Always have available during your trip.
POPULATION: Ft Riley serves more than 15,500 active duty Service Members, more than 18,000 Family Members, nearly 20,000 retirees and over 8,300 civilian employees. These numbers do not include all the National Guard and Reserve that come to train at Fort Riley.
TEMPORARY QUARTERS: If you are planning on staying in the lodging facility (limited pet facilities) or one of the guest houses, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) families may make reservations once orders are received by calling 800-GOARMY1 or calling 785-239-2830 (DSN 856-2830). Please remember, if lodging is not available you need to get a letter of Non-Availability when you are at the Lodging Office. This will allow you to help get reimbursed by what is left of your authorized 10-days. Insure you have confirmed Lodging reservations before traveling to the post. Budget accordingly with length it may take to locate housing. (Extra note: Try contacting Housing to Submit an Advance Housing Application at 800-
643-8991 or on the Fort Riley Homepage to try and reduce your length of time in quarters.)
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Soldiers, Families and Civilian employees arriving for duty at Fort Riley will want to visit Army Community Service. Assistance is available in the Soldier and Family Support Center, located on Custer Hill in building 7264 on Normandy Drive (located in barrack area). Army Community Service offers a variety services and activities to assist transitioning families and hosts a monthly Newcomer Briefing on the 2nd and 4th Friday of every month, except on Federal Holidays. The Loan Closet provides short term temporary loans of household items to include kitchen ware, cots, car seats, card tables and chairs, and infant/toddler pack and play kits. Make Army Community Service one of your first stops. The hours are Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and may be reached at DSN 856-9435 or Commercial 785-239-9435.
CRITICAL INSTALLATION INFORMATION: The main entrance to Fort Riley is off of I-70, exit 301. However, due to bridge construction you will need to take I-70, exit 303 to Twelfth Street until further notification. Please make sure you have your current ID Card, ID for other passengers, current driver's license, current insurance and current registration. Vehicle registration is mandatory and until exit 301 is open, exit 303 will temporarily house the vehicle registration office to meet your needs.
Personal weapons are not authorized on this installation without prior registration.
Phone cell usage is not authorized while operating a motor vehicle on this installation.
To know most of the activities, events and up-to-date information on the Fort Riley installation, you need to access the Fort Riley Homepage and scroll down to the InTouch article. Read the information and sign-up for the sections you wish to have sent directly to your email account with current information.
What you need to know for your arrival to this installation and what the Command Group wishes you to quickly know is all listed below.
All in-processing soldiers must sign in at the 1ST Replacement Company (except for the following units: MEDDAC, DENTAC, CID, 3d/75th Brigade and mobilized reservists).
1st Replacement Company is on Main Post, 208 Custer Avenue, next door to the Central Processing Center. Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. If signing in Monday through Friday during duty hours (8am-5pm), the uniform is BDUs. (785-239-2119) Soldiers provide these documents upon sign in: A copy of DA Form 31 (Leave Request), assignment orders, health and dental records and your Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ).
Newly married soldiers that do not have orders reading "Dependents: Yes." You MUST contact your NCOIC/PAC and follow the procedures provided to you. You will NOT receive pay for travel, on post housing or basic housing allowance for your new spouse if proper procedures are not followed. You NEED to work with your commander to get an "Amendment to Orders." ID Card Center/DEERS is located in building 212, basement, room 01.
Command is adamant that you know the following information. You need to come financially prepared. If you plan to "Rent," come prepared financially for all primary deposits. Rent deposits can be up- to a full months rent. The landlord can request the first month fee and the last month fee up front. Example: Rent is $500. At a minimum (without a pet) you could need $1,500 up front. Pets deposits, an additional deposit can be up to half a months rent and the landlord can charge a monthly set fee or a fee for each pet.
Example: Rent is $500 the pet deposit can be $250, plus the first and last month additional fee the landlord has requested you pay per pet a month.
Example: Rent is $500 the pet deposit $250 and let's say $25 extra a month per pet and you have 2 pets. The cost for PET DEPOSIT Only $350, plus $50 extra a month added to your normal rent.
Other primary deposits are Phone (minimum of $100) and Electricity (varies). Water and trash are usually part of the rent, but some rentals require tenant to pay; increasing your deposit requirements.
Other primary needs will be household items and food staples/supplies at a bare minimum cost of $300-$500. During your travel to the installation, make sure you figure in the cost for lodging, gasoline, meals, tollbooths and bring extra if an emergency arises.
A soldier that has a family member with exceptional needs (medical, educational, gifted, etc.) needs to contact Fort Riley's Army Community Service at 785-239-9435 and speak with the Exceptional Family Member Coordinator (prior to departure if possible).