Fort Riley

Fort Riley & 1st Infantry Division

1. Executive Summary & Core Theme

Overarching Theme: "Partners in Mission, Strength in Community."

Core Message: Fort Riley and the historic 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") do not merely reside in the Central Flint Hills region—we are an integral part of the regional fabric. Our ability to train, deploy, and win depends directly on the strong, enduring support of our local, regional, and Kansas communities.

Motto Integration: "No Mission too Difficult, No Sacrifice too Great, Duty First, Service Always!"

2. The 30-Second Elevator Pitch

“Fort Riley is an Installation of Excellence and proud home to the 1st Infantry Division. While our Soldiers stand ready to deploy globally in defense of our nation, our foundation is built right here at home. Through close collaboration with our neighboring towns, school districts, and state partners, we ensure our service members and their families have world-class support—making this not only a premier training and deployment hub, but a wonderful place to live, work, and retire.”

3. Pillar Talking Points

Pillar I: An Enduring Community Partnership

Shared Community Fabric:

"Our Soldiers, civilian workforce, and military families don't live in a vacuum—they live on your streets, attend your schools, shop in your businesses, and volunteer in your civic organizations."

"We view our neighboring communities—Junction City, Manhattan, Grandview Plaza, Ogden, and the broader Flint Hills region—as essential teammates in national defense."

Economic Vitality:

"Fort Riley serves as a primary economic engine for the state of Kansas, generating significant regional commerce, contracting opportunities, and sustained economic stability."

"Investments made on post directly benefit local industries, small businesses, and workforce development across the region."

Intergovernmental Collaboration:

"Through Intergovernmental Support Agreements (IGSAs) and mutual aid partnerships, Fort Riley shares emergency services, infrastructure capabilities, and resources to build mutual resilience."

Pillar II: Operational Readiness & Global Mission

Trained and Ready for Decisive Action:

"The 1st Infantry Division builds and maintains combat-ready forces prepared to deploy anywhere in the world on short notice as part of a joint, inter-organizational, and multinational team."

"Our rigorous training ranges and modern simulation complexes ensure our personnel are equipped to face complex modern combat environments."

Support to the Joint Force & Higher Headquarters:

"Operating under the Army Campaign Plan and Installation Management Command (IMCOM), the installation executes mission re-stationing and force modernization seamlessly."

"The operational readiness forged here in Kansas directly reinforces deterrence and global stability."

Pillar III: Homeland Defense & Civil Support (DSCA)

Serving Kansas and the Nation:

"Beyond our international commitments, Fort Riley stands ready to protect the homeland and execute Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA)."

"Whether supporting local authorities during severe weather events, natural disasters, or public safety emergencies, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with state and regional emergency responders."

Good Environmental Stewardship:

"We take our role as stewards of more than 100,000 acres of Kansas prairie seriously, actively balancing intense tactical training with progressive natural resource conservation, wildlife management, and historical preservation."

Pillar IV: Quality of Life for Service Members and Families

A Community of Choice:

"We take immense pride in the phrase: 'A great place to live, train, deploy from, come home to, and retire at.'"

"From upgraded on-post housing and modernized healthcare clinics to exceptional recreational and family support programs, taking care of our people is our first operational priority."

Education and Child Youth Services:

"We actively collaborate with local Unified School Districts (USDs) to provide military-connected children with smooth transitions, academic excellence, and robust social support."

Welcoming Veterans and Retirees:

"Many of our Soldiers choose to make the Central Flint Hills their permanent home after leaving active duty, contributing their skills, leadership, and entrepreneurial energy to the civilian workforce."

4. Key Soundbites for Media & Public Remarks

"When the nation calls 911, the 'Big Red One' answers—and our community is the launchpad that makes that readiness possible."

"Readiness isn't just measured in vehicles and ammunition; it is measured in the peace of mind of our military families, knowing they are supported by a caring community."

"Fort Riley isn't behind a fence line; our mission is interwoven with the prosperity and values of the Heartland."

"Duty First is our division motto, but Service Always is our commitment to our neighbors."

5. Frequently Anticipated Community Questions (Q&A Guidance)

Q1: How do training noises, controlled burns, or convoys impact neighboring towns?

Answer: "Realistic training requires realistic conditions, which occasionally involves controlled burns, range noise, or military convoys on local thoroughfares. We actively coordinate with local emergency services, issue advance public advisories, and strictly adhere to environmental and safety guidelines. We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of our neighbors as our soldiers prepare for the challenges of combat."

Q2: What opportunities exist for local businesses to work with Fort Riley?

Answer: "Fort Riley depends heavily on commercial vendor partnerships ranging from base operations and logistics to construction and food services. Our Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) regularly conducts outreach, vendor days, and small-business workshops to facilitate local business engagement with federal contracting."

Q3: How does the installation support deploying families while Soldiers are away?

Answer: "Deployments are challenging for families, but no Fort Riley family goes through it alone. Through Soldier and Family Readiness Groups (SFRGs), Army Community Service (ACS), local community mentorship programs, and strong school-district liaisons, we wrap comprehensive support around every family on post and in surrounding communities."

To ensure your transition to Fort Riley is as smooth as possible, here is some Critical Installation Information.

Essential Contacts & Required Actions

Please review the following requirements and points of contact before or immediately upon arrival:

• In-Processing Sign-In
  • 1st Replacement Company (Main Post)
  • Staffed 24/7/365
  • Report directly to Main Post upon arrival.
  • Note: MEDDAC, DENTAC, CID, 3d/75th Brigade and mobilized reservists do not sign in here.
• Exceptional Family Member Program
  • Soldiers with family members who have exceptional medical, educational or gifted needs must contact EFMP prior to departure.
  • Army Community Service
  • Location: ACS Building
  • Phone: 785-239-9435
• Personal Firearms Registration
  • Registration is mandatory before bringing firearms onto the installation.
  • Access Control Center or Military Police Station
  • Phone: 785-239-6767
• ID Cards & DEERS Updates
  • Building 210
  • In-person service available; no phone contact required

Critical Installation Policies & Housing Information

• Driving & Mobile Devices: Cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle on post is prohibited unless you are using a hands-free device.
• Privately Owned Weapons: Weapons must be registered at the Access Control Center (ACC) or Military Police Station before entering post.
• 1st Replacement Company: Open 24/7/365 on Main Post for soldier sign-in.
• Lodging for Families: Soldiers arriving with family members will sign in and be released until the next day's first formation. Make hotel reservations immediately, even if you plan to move directly into housing, to ensure you have a backup option if issues arise with your residence.
• Single Soldier Housing: All single soldiers arriving at Fort Riley will reside in the 1st Replacement Barracks during in-processing.

Fort Riley Arrival & In-Processing Checklist

Welcome to Fort Riley. This checklist guides incoming Soldiers and families through each step of the relocation process, from pre-departure preparations and arrival procedures to sign-in, billeting and required installation in-processing.

Phase 1: Pre-Departure & Travel Preparation

Complete these steps prior to departing your losing installation or coming to Fort Riley.

• Exceptional Family Member Program Coordination
  • Requirement: If you have an authorized family member with exceptional medical, specialized educational, or gifted needs, coordinate with Fort Riley Army Community Service (ACS) prior to departure.
  • Office: Army Community Service — EFMP Coordinator
  • Phone: 785-239-9435
• Contingency Lodging / Hotel Reservations (Accompanied Soldiers)
  • Action: Make temporary hotel reservations in advance, even if intending to transition directly into on- or off-post housing.
  • Purpose: Provides guaranteed backup lodging if permanent housing is unavailable upon arrival.
• Firearms Preparation & Pre-Registration Awareness
  • Requirement: Personal firearms are strictly prohibited on the installation without prior registration.
  • POC: Access Control Center / Military Police Station: 785-239-6767
  • Action: Review registration guidelines and ensure firearms and ammunition are transported in accordance with federal and military regulations.
• Hands-Free Vehicle Equipment Check
  • Requirement: Installation policy strictly prohibits manual cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle. Only hands-free devices are authorized.
  • Action: Ensure vehicles are equipped with functional hands-free mounts, Bluetooth, or headsets.

Phase 2: Day of Arrival & Official Sign-In

• Determine Sign-In Location
  • Standard Sign-In: Report directly to the 1st Replacement Company on Main Post.
    • Availability: Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.
  • Unit Exceptions: If assigned to one of the following, report directly to your unit instead of the 1st Replacement Company:
    • MEDDAC
    • DENTAC
    • CID
    • Mobilized Reservists
• Sign-In Documentation Checklist
  • Carry the following critical documents by hand (do not pack in household goods):
    • PCS Orders and all amendments (minimum 5 hard copies)
    • DA Form 31 (Leave Request / Authorization)
    • Military ID (CAC) and dependent IDs
    • Driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of valid auto insurance
    • Medical, dental, and immunization records for Soldier and family
• Establish Immediate Billets / Accommodations
  • Single Soldiers: Sign in and report to the 1st Replacement Barracks for billeting throughout the in-processing period.
  • Soldiers with Family Members: Sign in, receive reporting instructions, and depart to your reserved lodging. Report back promptly for the next duty day's first morning formation.

Phase 3: Immediate In-Processing & Registration Actions

Once signed in and settled into initial lodging, execute the mandatory installation checkpoints.

• Personal Firearms Registration
  • Location: Access Control Center or Military Police Station
  • Phone: 785-239-6767
  • Action: Register all privately owned firearms intended to be stored on post or transported onto the installation before bringing them on site.
• ID Card Center & DEERS Updates
  • Location: Building 210
  • Action: Update DEERS address, contact details, and family status. Renew expiring ID cards or enroll new dependents.
• Installation Orientation & Formation Attendance
  • Report in the prescribed uniform to all scheduled replacement company formations and mandatory briefings.