The current cost of living in the USAG Rhineland Pfalz area is higher than the average cost of living in the United States. Army Community Service (ACS) Financial Readiness Program provides free financial planning services, education, support and coaching with Accredited Financial Counselors.
ACS Financial Readiness Program has two locations to serve the USAG Rheinland-Pfalz military community. Our Hub/Main location is located on Kleber Kaserne, Bldg 3210, in Kaiserslautern and can be reached at DSN: 314-541-9000, or Commercial: 0611-143-541-9000. Our Satellite/Spoke location is located on Smith Barracks, Bldg 8666, in Baumholder and can be reached at DSN: 314-531-2850, or Commercial: 0611-143-531-2850.
For all Military traveling to OCONUS and within Europe: Please ensure to travel in civilian attire.
If there are exceptional circumstances that require you to travel into Frankfurt International Airport: You must travel in civilian clothing and refrain from using your military issue duffels, rucksack, or anything that would single you out as an American Service Member. There is no shuttle service, support or oversight for those arriving into Frankfurt International Airport.
*Adverse weather
When adverse weather conditions warrant base closure or delays, military personnel, DOD civilian employees and tenant units personnel can receive up-to-date information by tuning in to Armed Forces Network (AFN) 105.1 FM for the latest updates; checking the USAG RP webpage, USAG RP Facebook page or IMCOM-Europe Road Conditions webpage. NOTE: The IMCOM-Europe Weather Conditions webpage reflects on-post status only and not individual villages and towns.
*On Post Construction/Ph: 06111435312850
Construction on post will be a way of life here for the next several years as housing and facilities upgrade and expand. Be prepared for delays, detours and closings.
*Driver's License / DSN: 314-531-7000 or cell: 0611-143-531-7000
Be sure to obtain or renew your stateside driver license prior to arriving in Baumholder. A valid stateside license is required before obtaining a USAEUR driver's license. The USAEUR license is required prior to driving in Germany. For step-by-step instructions on how to obtain a driver’s license please refer to Motor Vehicles page. Hours of Operation Monday-Thursday: 0800-11.30 & 12.30-1530 Friday:
*Passports / DSN:314-531-2429 or cell: 0611-143-531-2429
The NATO Status of Forces Agreement requires that dependent members of the U.S. Forces and DOD Civilians and their dependents be identified as such in their passports. This identification is commonly called a "SOFA Identification Certificate." A person could encounter problems crossing an international border (for example, a border to any European Union (EU) member country), while using a passport without a SOFA Identification Certificate. This is true especially when the person is a citizen or national of a country that requires a visa for entry into Germany (for example, Ethiopia, Philippines). A person who has a passport with a SOFA Identification Certificate usually may use the passport to travel to any NATO country. However, when a person having a passport with a SOFA Identification Certificate is required to have a passport without a SOFA Identification Certificate, the person must get another passport at their own expense. Email: usarmy.rheinland-pfalz.id-europe.mbx.usag-r-p-passport@mail.mil
*Storage Space/ DSN: 314-531-2976 or cell: 011-49-611-143-531-2976
Storage space in on-post quarters is limited. Housing is typically smaller than stateside housing. It is recommended that you check with your sponsor or local housing office to determine on and off post housing options, average square footage, and accessibility for large furniture items.
*Child and Youth School Services Waiting List Guidance for Incoming Families/Cell: 49(0)611-143-531-3440 or DSN: 314-531-3440/Wetzel Kaserne Bldg. 8876 Baumholder Germany.
Childcare availability in Europe varies from one installation to the next. Some communities have significant childcare waiting lists. Soldiers and DOD civilians who are on pinpoint orders to Europe may contact the CYS Central Enrollment Registration Office at their gaining installation to place their child(ren) on the childcare waiting list 60-90 days prior to their arrival. To sign up, parents should fax a copy of their orders to the gaining CER office. See the Child Care section for more information.
*Pets/DSN: 314-590-1200 or Cell: 011-49-06371-9464-1200
There are travel restrictions on pets coming to Germany. If you have a dog that may be considered a "dangerous breed," contact Baumholder Veterinary Service at 011-49-06371-9464-1200, DSN 314-590-1200 for current information prior to departing the U.S. All pets must have a rabies shot not less than 30 days and no more than 12 months prior to their arrival date. In addition, the pet must have a health certificate from a veterinarian that is no more than 10 days old and must be micro-chipped before arriving.
*Health Care/Clinic Kaserne/55774 Baumholder/Cell: 0637194645762/Email: mhs-europe.tricare.mil
Family members receive health care at United States Army Health Clinic Baumholder on a space available basis. If required specialty care is not available, patients may be referred to Tricare approved Medical Providers on the German Economy. All individuals relocating to USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder should be aware of this eventuality.
Baumholder has been associated with modern military activities since 1937, when the German government needed a large area for military training. Due to its varied terrain, sparse population and area of approximately 25,000 acres to the north and northeast of the city, Baumholder was selected to become one of the largest military training areas in Germany. By 1938, the first permanent barracks were ready for occupancy. Various German and Austrian units were stationed at Baumholder and prepared for one front or another.
At the end of 1951 the Americans took over the Baumholder training area from the French and in 1953 an extensive construction program was begun to build facilities to house the families of military personnel as the Americans began to expand the post.
In the 1970’s and 1980’s, at its height, the Baumholder Military Community, its two sub communities Neubrücke and Strassburg and eight remote sites in the Eifel region, provided a home and place to work for more than 21,000 Soldiers, civilians and family members. Under U.S. Army in Europe transformation, USAG Baumholder officially deactivated May 22, 2014, and USAG Rheinland-Pfalz took command of the Baumholder Military Community.
Approximately 8,000+ Military Members, Family Members and Department of Defense civilian employees.
Approximately 10,000+
USAG Rheinland-Pfalz directly supports the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Regional Health Command Europe, Defense Logistics Agency Europe, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 7th Mission Support Command, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Landstuhl Regional Medical Command, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 5th Battalion/7th Air Defense Artillery and Army and Air Force Exchange Service Europe and many other tenant organizations.
USAG Rheinland-Pfalz directly supports the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Regional Health Command Europe, Defense Logistics Agency Europe, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, 7th Mission Support Command, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Landstuhl Regional Medical Command, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 5th Battalion/7th Air Defense Artillery and Army and Air Force Exchange Service Europe and many other tenant organizations support this facility. Continuesly growing and growing.
Contact Information
Baumholder's Base operator CIV: 011-49-6783-6113 or DSN: 314-531-1110.
The United States Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder, affectionately known as "the Rock" is set in the wooded hills of the Western Palatinate in the German federal state of Rheinland-Pfalz. USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder's base operator is CIV: 011-49-6783-6113 or DSN: 314-531-1110.
If you have questions or desire information on grave sites and memorials within Europe, visit the American Battle Monuments Commission. For general information on U.S. Army Europe visit the Headquarters U.S. Army Europe and Africa's website.
The Frankfurt International Airport (60547 Frankfurt) 158 KM from Baumholder/ contact: 018063724636 is the closest major airport to USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder. Because of its location it is often the most used airport for travelers to and from USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Baumholder. Also another Airport called Hahn Airport (35 KM from Baumholder) /55483 Lautzenhausen at contact: 06543509113
All passengers arriving from international destinations must go through Immigration and Customs upon arrival.
The Frankfurt Airport is approximately 2 hours from USAG Rheinland-Pfalz, Baumholder
Traveling by Car
When departing Frankfurt International Airport, follow signs for A5 towards Basel / Darmstadt. After a few minutes, you will see signs for A67. Get in the center/left lane and follow A67. When you pass the town of Lorsch, you will see an exit on the far right for A6 Mannheim, Kaiserslautern and Saarbruecken - Take this exit and follow A6 towards Kaiserslautern/Saarbruecken. Passing Kaiserslautern, Exit A6 to A62 towards Trier/Kusel. After about 20 minutes you will come to Freisen exit-5 - take this exit. Exiting A62 at Freisen take a right and follow the signs for Baumholder. Once in Baumholder, follow the main road, take a left at the traffic light. Keep going straight through the next traffic light. You will see the main gate for Smith Barracks, Baumholder. Individuals who wish to use GPS should enter Baumholder as city, zip code is 55774 and Aulenbacher Strasse as street address.
Traveling by Train
Frankfurt Airport has two railway stations. The long-distance railway station is at the AIRail Terminal, right next to Terminal 1. Trains arrive at and depart from platforms 4 to 7. In addition, there is a local railway station for S-Bahn, regional and local trains at Terminal 1, Level 1. Trains arrive at and depart from platforms 1 to 3.
Both railway stations are linked to Terminal 2 via buses and the Sky Line. This is how you get there
From the platform (Level 0, Area B) go one floor higher up, following signs to Terminal 2. When in Area B or C, get on a free Shuttle Bus to Terminal 2. The service runs between 5 a.m. and 3 a.m. Alternatively, follow signs to the Sky Line in Hall B. This service to Terminal 2 runs at 2-minute intervals.
Driving Directions from Ramstein Airbase
When departing Ramstein AFB follows signs for the A6, once on the A6 follow till you get to the exit for A62 follow the A62 towards Trier. Follow until you get to the Freisen exit-5. Take a right at the stop sign and follow the road until you get to Baumholder.
Community shuttle bus service is provided for Active-Duty U.S. Military and DOD Civilian employees. Off-duty personnel and Family Members may use the shuttle on a space-available basis. Buses run Monday through Friday (except U.S. Holidays) between Smith Barracks and Clinic Kaserne. For current schedule contact DSN: 314-531-7112 or Civilian: 011-49-611-143-531-7112.
Baumholder's Base operator CIV: 0611-143-592-1140 or DSN: 314-592-1140
Release 2024.03.06.1