Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a major United States Army training installation located in the Missouri Ozarks within Pulaski County, Missouri. Established in 1940, it has served as a primary center for combat engineer, military police, and chemical military occupational specialty training. The post is a key component of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and also hosts elements of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.

History

The installation was constructed beginning in December 1940, initially named Camp Leonard Wood after General Leonard Wood, a former United States Army Chief of Staff. During World War II, it functioned as a training ground for the 92nd Infantry Division and other units, while also serving as a prisoner-of-war camp for captured German soldiers. In the post-war era, it was temporarily designated an Air Force base before being permanently returned to the Army in 1956. Its role expanded significantly during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, cementing its status as a premier training site. The post was redesignated a fort in 1954 and later became the home of the United States Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence.

Geography and facilities

Situated in the Rolla, Missouri micropolitan area, the installation spans over 63,000 acres of rugged Ozarks terrain, which provides ideal conditions for realistic field training. Key facilities include the United States Army Engineer School, the United States Army Military Police School, and the United States Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School. The post features extensive ranges, urban terrain training sites, and the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex. Supporting infrastructure includes General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital, multiple barracks complexes, and the historic Stonegate staff building.

Training and units

As the home of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, the fort is the Army's sole producer of combat engineer, military police, and CBRN specialists. Training pipelines include Basic Combat Training, Advanced Individual Training, and professional courses for NCOs and officers. The garrison is commanded by the 1st Infantry Division (Forward), and tenant units include the 14th Military Police Brigade, the 1st Engineer Brigade, and the 3rd Chemical Brigade. The United States Marine Corps Detachment and Navy personnel also conduct specialized training here.

Environmental initiatives

The installation manages a significant portion of land under a comprehensive Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, partnering with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Programs focus on protecting endangered species like the Indiana bat and restoring native oak-hickory and pine ecosystems. The post's Directorate of Public Works oversees sustainability projects, including wetland mitigation, stream bank stabilization, and compliance with the Endangered Species Act. These efforts aim to balance military training requirements with stewardship of the Ozark landscape.

In popular culture

The fort has been depicted or referenced in several films and television series, notably serving as a filming location for segments of the 1970 film *M*A*S*H*. It is mentioned in episodes of the television series *JAG* and has been featured in documentaries about military basic training. The installation's distinctive landscape and role in training have made it a recognizable setting for stories about the modern United States Armed Forces.

Category:United States Army posts Category:Buildings and structures in Pulaski County, Missouri