Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021. 

One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.

We here at Army Wife Network want to take the some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Located in central Missouri in the heart of the Ozark Mountains is Fort Leonard Wood. It is the hub of the U.S. Army Engineer school; the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. It is the home of training for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy. The area is often growing and changing, so there may be many more things to find when arriving at Fort Leonard Wood. Enjoy the breathtaking views of mountain ranges and country.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the following units:

• 43rd Adjutant General Reception Battalion
• 399th Army Band
• 58th Transportation Battalion
• U.S. Army Engineer School
• U.S. Army CBRN School
• U.S. Army Military Police School
• 102nd Training Division (Army Reserve)
• MSCOE Noncommissioned Officer’s Academy
• Homeland Defense Civil Support Office

Surrounding Cities:

• Saint Robert (12 miles)
• Waynesville (14 miles)
• Lackey (17 miles)
• Crocker (24 miles)
• Dixon (25 miles)
• Plato (25 miles)
• Richland (26 miles)
• Edgar Springs (29 miles)
• Licking (33 miles)
• Rolla (35 miles)
• Lebanon (39 miles)
• Newborn (39 miles)
• Saint James (44 miles)
• Salem (48 miles)

Closest MAJOR City: Springfield (92 miles)

Names of Area Colleges:

• Columbia College on Fort Leonard Wood
• Drury University on Fort Leonard Wood
• Park University on Fort Leonard Wood
• Webster University on Fort Leonard Wood
• Ozarks Technical Community College-Waynesville Center in Waynesville
• Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla

Weather: At Fort Leonard Wood, you can expect to experience all four seasons. The summers are hot, muggy, and wet, while the winters are very cold, with snow and ice. Tornadoes are prevalent in late spring and throughout the summer. It is partly cloudy year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 26 to 89 degrees.

It’s crucial to have a severe weather plan for your family if you live in this area. Severe weather arrives quickly and can often catch you off guard. —Meghan W.S.

Time Zone: Central Time Zone

SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION

 To access the post website, click here.

Map of the area

 Historical Facts/Landmarks:

• Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, is named in honor of United States Army Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood.
• In June 1941, only six months after beginning construction, more than 1,600 buildings had been built, comprising more than 5 million square feet of floor space
• The first to train in Fort Leonard Wood were soldiers of the 6th Infantry Division

HOUSING

On-post Housing is managed by Fort Leonard Wood Homes.

Major realty/rental companies in the area:

• Cross Creek Realty
• Brianne Sides, Realty Executives
• Matt Smith Real Estate Group

SCHOOLS

School Liaison Officer

School Districts: Waynesville R-Vi School District

On-Post Schools:

• Elementary: Partridge Elementary, Thayer Elementary, and Wood Elementary, all K-5th.

Off-Post Schools:

• Elementary: East Elementary and Freedom Elementary, both K-5th.
• Middle: Waynesville Sixth Grade Center (6th) and Waynesville Middle School (7th and 8th)
• High School: Waynesville High School (9th-12th)
• Private/Charter: Westside Christian Academy (K-12th)

ON-POST SERVICES  

• Child and Youth Services
• Army Community Service 
• PX
• Commissary
• Bruce C. Clarke Library
• General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital
• MWR
• Fort Wood Community Spouses’ Club
• Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations

OFF-POST INFORMATION

Health Care:

• Hospital: Phelps Health Emergency Department in Rolla, Mercy Emergency Department in Lebanon, and Salem Memorial District Hospital in Salem.
• Urgent Care: Phelps Health Immediate Care and Waynesville Urgent Care, both in Waynesville.
• General Practice: Mercy Clinic Family Medicine in St. Robert
• OBGYN: Phelps Health Waynesville Medical Plaza in Waynesville, Mercy Clinic OB/GYN in Richland, Phelps Health Medical Office Building in Rolla, and Mercy Clinic OB/GYN in Lebanon.
• Dentist:
• Eye Care: The Eyeglass Center in St. Robert, InVision Family Eye Care in Rolla, and Mattax Neu Prater in Lebanon.

 Best place for beauty services:

• Center Stage Hair Design on Fort Leonard Wood
• Studio 5 Salon & Boutique in St. Robert
• Totally You in St. Robert

RESTAURANTS

St. Robert:

• Cancun Mexican Grill
• Mama Mia
• Route 66 Diner
• Colton’s Steak House and Grill
• Sweetwater BBQ
• Bulgogi House

Waynesville:

• Honey Chile’ Please
• Cellar 66
• Drachenfutter
• Paradise Delicatessen & Ursula’s Schnitzelhaus

Lebanon:

• Taco John’s

MUST DO

Fort Leonard Wood:

• Miller Cave
• Lake of the Ozarks Recreation Area

St. Robert:

• Uranus Fudge Factory

Waynesville:

• Frog Rock
• Roubidoux Spring and Scuba Diving
• Old Stagecoach Stop Museum
• Trail of Tears Memorial
• Waynesville Downtown Walking Tour
• Waynesville Walking Trail
• Waynesville City Park

Devil’s Elbow:

• Devil’s Elbow Bridge

Saint James:

• Saint James Winery

Osage Beach:

• Timber Falls Indoor Water Park
• Lazer Force Lazer Tag Zone

Lake Ozark:

• The Lake of the Ozarks 
• Shawnee Bluff Winery

Springfield:

• Fantastic Caverns

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.

Installation Facebook page: U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood

Military Spouse Groups:

• Wives at Fort Leonard Wood
• Fort Leonard Wood Wives
• Fort Wood Community Spouses’ Club

Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:

• Fort Leonard Wood Buy, Sell, Trade
• Fort Leonard Wood Resale Lot

Religious services:

• Fort Leonard Wood Protestant Women of the Chapel
• Catholic Women of the Chapel Sacred Heart Fort Leonard Wood

SPOUSE TESTIMONIALS

“This post is a drive from a lot of the big city happenings, but it is very much a military community, with lots of support for the soldiers, celebrations, and a friendly community. It is a training post, so on Sundays there is usually an abundance of recruits doing their shopping. The summer is the best time at Fort Leonard Wood—there are two outdoor pools, a putt-putt course, and a go-cart track.” – Jennifer M.

“FLW is really a sportsman’s/outdoor person’s paradise with tons of on-post fishing, hiking, and even hunting. For shoppers, the drive to any of the major shopping centers isn’t bad. The post is located smack in the middle of a section of Mark Twain National Forest. Be sure to check out the post Facebook page as well as The Guidon (the installation newspaper) to see what’s happening!” – Jessica M.