PWTM: Joint Base San Antonio
One of the most challenging aspects of the 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 Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, known simply as Fort Sam Houston by Army folks.
JBSA is a giant installation that encompasses Fort Sam Houston and Lackland Air Force Base and Randolph Field. The joint move was part of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, which felt a combined effort would eliminate overlap from the three closely situated installations. It is the largest join base in the Department of Defense. It’s home to the Brooke Army Medical Center, which has provided crucial care to service members wounded in combat in Afghanistan and Iraq.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Joint Base San Antonio is home to the following units: (we focus on the Army side of things, but you can find all units at the installation website)
- Headquarters, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army)
- Headquarters, U.S. Army South (Sixth Army)
- 418th Medical Logistics Company
- 470th Military Intelligence Brigade
- 106th Signal Brigade
- U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command
- U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence
- 323rd Army Band
- San Antonio Military Entrance Processing Station
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command
- U.S. Army Signal Network Enterprise Center
- Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Command
- U.S. Army Veterinary Command
- U.S. Army Dental Command
- Brooke Army Medical Center
- 32nd Medical Brigade
- Noncommissioned Officer Academy
Surrounding Cities:
- San Antonio (right outside the gate)
- Alamo Heights (5 miles)
- New Braunfels (28 miles)
- San Marcos (42 miles)
- Austin (75 miles)
Closest MAJOR City:
- San Antonio (right outside the gate)
Names of Area Colleges:
- American Military University on JBSA
- Columbia Southern University on JBSA
- Excelsior College on JBSA
- Thomas Edison State College on JBSA
- University of Maryland University College on JBSA
- Webster University on JBSA
- Texas A&M University—San Antonio in San Antonio
- St Philip’s College in San Antonio
- Trinity University in San Antonio
- Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio
- University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio
- Alamo College in San Antonio
- Wayland Baptist University on Lackland Air Force Base
Weather: The warm season lasts from May 26 to September 21 with an average daily high temperature above 88°. The cold season lasts from November 29 to February 18 with an average daily high temperature below 68°.
Time Zone: Central Time Zone
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the installation website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks: You can read the full history of JBSA here.
HOUSING
On-post Housing is managed by Lincoln Military Housing.
Major realty/rental companies in the area:
- Zertuche Realtors in San Antonio
- Phyllis Browning Co. in Alamo Heights
- Heritage Group Realtors in Austin
- Texas Dream Realtors in San Antonio and Austin
SCHOOLS
School Districts:
- Fort Sam Houston Independent School District
- Lackland Independent School District
- Randolph Field Independent School District
On-Post Schools: All students living on JBSA attend the Fort Sam Houston Independent School District. Click the above link to find out which elementary and middle/high school it involves. All local schools are listed below.
Area schools:
- Elementary: Fort Sam Houston Elementary (PreK-5), Lackland Elementary (PreK-5), and Randolph Elementary (PreK-5).
- Middle: Robert G. Cole Middle and High School (6-12), Virginia Allred Stacey Junior-Senior High School (6-12), and Randolph Middle School (6-8).
- High school: Randolph High School (9-12).
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- AAFES has locations at Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, and Randolph.
- Commissaries are located at Fort Sam Houston, Lackland, and Randolph.
- Libraries are located at all three locations.
- Brooke Army Medical Center
- MWR
- Spouses’ Club of the Fort Sam Houston Area
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospitals: While emergency care is available at Brooke Army Medical Center, off-post hospitals include Southwest General Hospital in San Antonio and The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio.
- Urgent Care: Quality Urgent Care in San Antonio, Texas MedClinic in San Antonio, and Little Spurs Pediatric Urgent Care in San Antonio.
- OBGYN: Westover Hills Women’s Health, Alamo Women’s Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Health Specialists, and Acacia Ob/Gyn, all located in San Antonio
- Dentists: Alamo Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry of San Antonio, Huebner Smiles, and Alamo Ranch Dental, all located in San Antonio.
- Vision: San Antonio Eye Specialists, Family Eye Care, and San Antonio Eyeworks, all located in San Antonio.
Best place for beauty services:
- Studio Fifteen in San Antonio
- Raw Hair Studio in San Antonio
- Moxie Hair Salon in San Antonio
Shopping malls:
- North Star Mall in San Antonio
- Rolling Oaks Mall in San Antonio
- San Marcos Premium Outlets in San Marcos
RESTAURANTS
San Antonio:
MUST DO
San Antonio:
- The Alamo
- San Antonio Riverwalk
- Sea World
- Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Natural Bridge Caverns
- San Antonio Zoo
- San Antonio Botanical Gardens
- Morgan’s Wonderland
- Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
New Braunfels:
Austin:
- Austin Zoo
- Longhorn Cavern State Park
- Wimberley Glassworks
- Lake Travis Zipline Adventures
- Typhoon Texas Waterpark
- Cota Karting
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: Joint Base San Antonio
Military Spouse Groups:
Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:
Religious services:
