Fort Hood Base Guide

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A M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tank with Berserker Company, 1st Battalion 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division engages a target down range at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3rd, 2022. (Photo by Sgt. James Dunn)
A M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams Main Battle Tank with Berserker Company, 1st Battalion 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division engages a target down range at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3rd, 2022. (Photo by Sgt. James Dunn)

Fort Hood is named in honor of Distinguished Service Cross recipient Col. Robert B. Hood for his extraordinary heroism during World War I. Amid intense shelling near Thiaucourt, France, then-Capt. Hood directed artillery fire under enfilading machine-gun fire. After his gun crew was lost to enemy fire, he rapidly reorganized and returned fire within minutes, restoring combat capability.

Fort Hood occupies 335 square miles of Bell and Coryell Counties, 60 miles north of Austin and 50 miles south of Waco. Seven surrounding cities with a regional population of approximately 335,000 are partnered with and provide substantial quality of life support to Fort Hood.

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Like everything in Texas, Fort Hood is big. And when we say big, we mean the largest (and most populated) U.S. military installation in the world BIG. Fort Hood covers roughly 340 square miles of Coryell and Bell Counties in Central Texas. The base began modestly as Camp Hood back in 1942, but with World War II came the need for more space to train troops on tank destroyers. Fort Hood officially became a permanent Army installation in 1951, and is home to III Corps and The First Cavalry Division, as well as many tenant units.

Fort Hood is in the middle of two popular Texas cities, Waco and Austin, with about a 60-mile drive to each. Waco is home to Baylor University, and the HGTV hit show, Fixer Upper. Austin is a mecca for music, festivals, art, tech start-ups, and the world-renowned South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival. They’re close enough for a fun day-trip, and you can find ample employment opportunities in these cities if you are a career-minded spouse.

Find neighborhood details, local photos, insider info and more for Fort Hood, Texas from our partners at Millie.

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