There are two Army bases in Kansas: Fort Riley in the Flint Hills and Fort Leavenworth on the Missouri River. They sit at opposite ends of the drive from Kansas City into the Flint Hills, and they feel like different worlds. One is home to a combat division. The other is where the Army sends mid-career officers to school.
This guide covers what each post does, who gets orders there, and what housing costs nearby. PCS stands for Permanent Change of Station, the military's term for an assigned move.
The Army Bases in Kansas, at a Glance
| Installation | Where it is | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Riley | Between Junction City and Manhattan | Home of the 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One |
| Fort Leavenworth | Leavenworth, northwest of Kansas City | Combined Arms Center and the Command and General Staff College |
Kansas's two Army posts side by side. Sources: Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth garrison pages.
Kansas also has McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, which is Air Force, not Army. See our McConnell AFB PCS guide, or our guide to what military bases are in Kansas for the full list.
Fort Riley: Home of the Big Red One
Where it is
Fort Riley sits in the Central Flint Hills of northeast Kansas, about an hour west of Topeka and two and a half hours from Kansas City. The nearest towns are Junction City, Ogden and Manhattan, per the Fort Riley garrison.
What it does
Fort Riley is home to the 1st Infantry Division, known as the Big Red One. It is a combat division, so expect deployments, field time and a young, busy community. The post also supports National Guard and Reserve Soldiers from Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa.
How big it is
The post covers 101,733 acres, and 91,597 of those acres are training land. It serves more than 67,000 people: about 15,400 active-duty members, 19,600 family members, 6,100 civilian employees and 26,000 retirees and veterans in the region.
For arrival steps and neighborhoods, see our Fort Riley PCS guide. Once you land, our list of things to do near Fort Riley helps you settle in.
Fort Leavenworth: The Army's Schoolhouse
Where it is
Fort Leavenworth sits on the bluffs above the Missouri River, next to the city of Leavenworth and northwest of Kansas City. Missouri is right across the river.
What it does
Fort Leavenworth is headquarters of the Army's Combined Arms Center, which the garrison calls the Intellectual Center of the Army. It is home to the Command and General Staff College, part of the Army University, where mid-career officers attend professional military education.
Because so many moves are tied to class start dates, the rental market can get tight in summer. If you report in June or July, start your search early.
Its history
Founded in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is the oldest continuously operating military installation west of the Mississippi River and the oldest permanent settlement in Kansas, per the Fort Leavenworth garrison. Its motto is "The Best Hometown in the Army." Our Fort Leavenworth PCS guide covers the move itself.
What BAH Covers at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth
BAH is Basic Allowance for Housing, the monthly amount the military pays you toward housing when you live off post. It is set by pay grade, dependent status and your duty station's rate area, not by the rent you actually pay.
