Fort Polk  In-depth Overview

Mission

JRTC and Fort Polk train Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) and Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB) to conduct large scale operations on a decisive action battlefield against a near-peer threat with multi-domain capabilities. Fort Polk enables FORSCOM units to increase readiness and support globally deployable missions while facilitating a high Quality of Life for Soldiers and Army Families.

Vision

JRTC and the Combat Training Center platform continues to evolve in order to challenge Soldiers, Leaders, and IBCTs in the most realistic, demanding, rigorous battlefield environment. Focused on large scale combat operations; JRTC will develop the expanded Peason Ridge Training Area to facilitate Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). The North Fort Polk ADP transforms with the construction of the new JRTC Operations Center; a new Rotational Unit Billeting Area (RUBA); and enhancements to the pre-positioned fleet - focusing North Fort Polk on JRTC rotations - transitioning to an "all things tactical" foundation.

The South Fort Polk ADP dramatically transforms the platform where the majority of our Soldiers, Units, and Army Families are stationed, work, and live. The movement of the Operations Group to the new Joint Operations Center (JOC) at North Fort allows the Fort Polk Soldier Support District to efficiently realign brigade and battalion unit footprints to build Soldier and Unit Readiness - we are focused on "all things Soldier, all things Unit, all things Readiness." As one of the four (4) Quality of Life installations in the Army, JRTC and Fort Polk pursues multiple initiatives within: Education, Housing, Health, Health Care, Child Care, Spouse Employment, and MWR - enhancing the Soldier and Family Quality of Life at Fort Polk to equal the world-class readiness and training achieved ay JRTC.  

Fort Polk history

Fort Polk was established on January 10, 1941. Thousands of Soldiers learned the basics of combat here during the World War II Louisiana Maneuvers. Forty-eight of the Army’s 91 divisions of WWII trained at Camp Polk. Generals such as Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley and Marshall learned many lessons during the maneuvers that were critical to their success in defeating the axis powers.

The post closed in 1946 and re-opened during the Korean War, closing again in 1954. It re-opened for Operation Sagebrush in 1955, the largest Army Maneuver since 1941, as Fort Polk, but closed again in 1959. Fort Polk re-opened permanently in 1961, and was designated as an Army infantry training center in 1962. During the Vietnam War, Fort Polk was the Army’s largest infantry training center, and became renowned as “Tiger Land” due to its realistic Vietnamese-style training villages. Fort Polk trained more than 1 million Soldiers for the Vietnam War.

th Infantry Division (Mechanized) replaced the infantry training center in 1975, as the Army’s mission switched from light infantry to mechanized warfare. The 5^th ID Soldiers formed the nucleus of the task force sent to Panama for Operation Just Cause in 1989-90. As the Army’s mission again changed from using heavy mechanized to lighter formations, the 5^th ID inactivated in 1992, and the 2^nd Armored Cavalry Regiment took its place. The 2^nd ACR deployed to the Balkans and Iraq during its tenure at Fort Polk.

On March 12, 1993, Fort Polk officially became the home of the Joint Readiness Training Center, which relocated from Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.

Since 9-11, Fort Polk Soldiers of have been called to serve around the world, deploying to Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve and more, in missions that embraced medical, military police, engineer and other support roles in addition to combat missions.

Fort Polk is a unique and one of a kind installation that continues to support the nation’s most critical missions. The installation is also home to the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team, 10^th Mountain Division, the 519^th Military Police Battalion, the 5^th Aviation Battalion, and the 46^th Engineer Battalion and the Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group. Ops Group provides rigorous, realistic and relevant training for Soldiers deploying to combat areas and prepares units for future operations throughout the world. Installation, medical and dental commands also support the installation,

Throughout its history, Fort Polk has answered the nation’s call to train Soldiers for missions throughout the world and will continue to uphold the legacy of missions accomplished and lives saved.

• Active Duty: 7,974  Army
• Other Military: 215  Air Force/TDY
• Military Veteran Affairs (VA) population: 41,520
• Active duty dependents: 12,412
• Civilian employees: 5,741
• Retired military and family: 14,885
• Retired DoD Civilians: 3,098

Vernon Parish: 45,413 (2022)

Beauregard Parish: 37,881 (2022)

Fort Polk is located in Vernon Parish in West-Central Louisiana, better known as "The Crossroads", about 60 miles from Alexandria, 66 miles from Lake Charles, 121 miles from Shreveport, 146 miles from Baton Rouge, 224 miles from New Orleans, and 183 miles from Houston. Closer to our front gate is the nearby town of Leesville, located in Vernon Parish, DeRidder, LA, is approximately 15 miles south of Leesville and is located in Beauregard Parish. Louisiana is the only State that has Parishes not Counties. Fort Polk is approximately 3 miles east of U.S. Highway 171 and approximately 3 miles south of Highway 28.

Alexandria International Airport is located within England Industrial Airpark, off of La Hwy 28, on Frank Andrews Blvd. and is the nearest available airport.  

If you are on orders for Fort Polk and plan on flying to the area, book your flight to the Alexandria International Airport in Alexandria, Louisiana. There you will find a Fort Polk welcome desk.

If driving to Fort Polk from the Alexandria International Airport turn right leaving the airport terminal parking lot. Drive down Frank Andrews Blvd. and turn right onto Vandenburg Drive. Drive 2.2 miles and turn right onto LA Hwy. 28 West. Drive 45.5 miles at the traffic circle take the 2^nd exit onto US 171 South. Proceed 8 miles and turn left onto Fort Polk Entrance Road. Continue to Fort Polk Access Control Point #1 where you will need to provide a VALID PHOTO ID for individuals over the age of 16 (Driver’s license, state issued ID, Passport, etc.) and reason for entrance. If operating a motor vehicle the following additional information may be required; Vehicle Registration, Driver’s License and Proof of Insurance.

For more information on access control contact: Visitors Center, 337-531-4978; DSN 312-863-4978.  

Entering Post from U.S. Highway 171

Enter through the Main Gate (Louisiana Ave) to the fourth (4th) red light (Mississippi Ave); turn left on Mississippi Ave, go all the way to the end of the street and take a left. Bldg. 250, will be on your right.

Entering Post from U.S. Highway 28

Gate ACP 6 is only open Mon – Fri from 0500 to 2100: closed Saturday, Sunday and Federal Holidays

Turn left off of Hwy 28 onto Chaffee Road (approximately 2 miles to the Chaffee Road Checkpoint). Chaffee Road takes you through North Fort to South Fort. At South Fort, Chaffee Road turns into Alabama Avenue (One Way Street), turn right onto 3^rd street and the Consolidated in and out Processing, Building 250 will be slightly down the road on your right.

After Duty Hours

Report to the Warriors Keep, Bldg. 240 (337) 531-6947. Enter through the Main Check Point, Gate 1, on Louisiana Avenue, through 2 Red lights, 3^rd red light take a left. Turn right onto 3^rd street, go past the hospital on you right. Building 240 is behind the in and out processing center Bldg. 250 on your left at the top of the hill.

Reservations for the Holiday Inn Express in Magnolia &Cypress can be made by calling 337-531-9000; or call TOLL FREE: 1-877-711-8326.  Receipts for temporary lodging must be provided to the Finance Office for reimbursement. All incoming Service members MUST report to building 250 or Warrior Keep, Bldg. 240 for sign in purposes.

Taxi services are available on post. Information concerning fees may be obtained by calling 337-531-6246. Information may also be obtained by visiting Consolidated In and Out Processing, Bldg. 250 on 3^rd Street.

Uber is also available in the Leesville and Fort Polk area.