Army bases in New York range from a huge training post in the North Country to a historic fort in Brooklyn. If you have PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders to the Empire State, it helps to know which post you are headed to. Each one has a very different job, climate, and housing market.
This guide covers the four active Army installations in New York, plus the state's National Guard sites. For every military base in the state, including Air Force and Navy sites, see our hub on what military bases are in New York.
Army Bases in New York, at a Glance
| Installation | Nearest town | Size or founded | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Drum | Watertown | About 107,265 acres | 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) |
| U.S. Military Academy at West Point | West Point and Highland Falls | Occupied since 1778; Academy set up in 1802 | Training Army officers |
| Fort Hamilton | Brooklyn, New York City | Cornerstone laid 1825 | NYC MEPS and Army recruiting |
| Watervliet Arsenal | Watervliet, near Albany and Troy | Construction began 1813 | Making cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems |
New York's active Army installations. Sources: U.S. Army installation pages for Fort Drum, West Point, and Fort Hamilton; army.mil articles on Watervliet Arsenal.
Fort Drum: Home of the 10th Mountain Division
Fort Drum is the largest Army post in New York. It sits just outside Watertown in the North Country. The post covers about 107,265 acres, or 168 square miles, per the Fort Drum newcomers page.
Fort Drum is the "Home of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry)." The same page says more than 15,000 service members and about 3,700 civilians work there. It also supports more than 26,500 Reserve and National Guard members who train there each year.
A few things to know:
- Winters are long and snowy. Plan your move dates, car prep, and house hunting with that in mind. Our winter PCS move guide can help.
- On-post housing is run by Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes, per the newcomers page.
- Many families live off post in Watertown and the nearby villages.
For neighborhoods, schools, and a step-by-step plan, read our PCS to Fort Drum and Watertown guide.
West Point: America's Oldest Army Post
West Point is home to the U.S. Military Academy, often called USMA. This is the college where cadets train to become Army officers. It sits on the west bank of the Hudson River.
Troops first crossed the frozen Hudson to West Point on January 27, 1778. Per the West Point garrison history page, West Point has been occupied by the U.S. Army from that day to the present. That makes it the oldest continuously occupied military post in America. President Thomas Jefferson signed the law that set up the Academy in 1802.
So yes, West Point is an Army base. It has a garrison that runs housing, gates, and services, just like other posts. The same page says it draws more than 2 million visitors a year.
If you have orders here, our PCS to West Point guide covers nearby towns and commutes.
Fort Hamilton: The Army in New York City
Fort Hamilton sits in southern Brooklyn, next to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The New York State Military Museum's Fort Hamilton history page calls it the only active-duty military installation in the New York City metropolitan area.
The post calls itself "the Face of America's Army in New York City." Per the Fort Hamilton about page, it hosts:
- The second largest MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) in the country. MEPS is where new recruits are screened and sworn in.
- The second largest Army recruiting battalion in the country, with more than 300 recruiters across the city.
- The North Atlantic Division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
- Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a New York National Guard unit formed after 9/11.
The fort's cornerstone was laid in 1825, and the same page describes it as the fourth oldest installation in the Army.
If you have orders here and want help sorting out the city's housing market, talk with a New York agent who works with military families. There is no cost and no obligation.
Watervliet Arsenal: The Nation's Oldest Active Arsenal
Watervliet Arsenal is on the Hudson River across from Troy, just north of Albany. Workers started building it in 1813, during the War of 1812. Per this army.mil article on the arsenal's 1813 founding, it is the oldest continuously active arsenal in the United States.
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The arsenal is a factory, not a troop post. It makes high-tech weapons parts for cannon, howitzer, and mortar systems.
New York Army National Guard Sites
New York also has a large National Guard. The state's Division of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) runs it from its offices in Latham, near Albany. Per the DMNA about page, the New York Army National Guard has about 11,590 Soldiers. DMNA also looks after more than 50 installations across the state.
One of the best known is Camp Smith Training Site in Cortlandt Manor, near Peekskill. Per the Camp Smith Training Site page, it covers 1,560 acres and supports training, schools, and logistics for military units.
What BAH Covers Near New York's Army Bases
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is the monthly money you get to pay for housing off post. It is based on your pay grade, your location, and whether you have dependents. Here are 2026 rates per the DTMO BAH rate lookup, run by the Defense Travel Management Office. Each cell shows with dependents first, then without.
| Location | Rate area | E-5 | E-7 | O-3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Drum / Watertown | NY225 | $1,665 / $1,422 | $2,103 / $1,578 | $2,469 / $1,902 |
| West Point | NY217 | $3,468 / $2,859 | $4,215 / $3,264 | $4,380 / $3,882 |
| Fort Hamilton (New York City) | NY219 | $5,070 / $4,980 | $5,238 / $5,088 | $5,529 / $5,112 |
| Watervliet Arsenal (Albany area) | NY215 | $2,634 / $2,073 | $2,997 / $2,397 | $3,234 / $2,775 |
2026 BAH with dependents near New York's Army installations. Source: DoD DTMO BAH rate lookup.
The spread is huge. An E-5 with dependents gets $5,070 a month in New York City but $1,665 at Fort Drum. That is about three times as much. The gap reflects how much more rent costs in the city.
A bigger number does not mean you will have more money left over. City rent eats most of it. At Fort Drum, BAH is lower, but homes cost less too. Before you set a budget, read how much house you can afford on BAH and our look at 2026 BAH rates and how to check yours.
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We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.Buying a Home Near New York's Army Bases
Use your VA loan. A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Per the VA purchase loan page, there is no down payment as long as the price is not more than the appraised value, and no PMI (private mortgage insurance). You do need to plan to live in the home. See our guide to VA loan occupancy rules during a PCS.
Plan for property taxes. Property taxes in New York can be high, and they add to your monthly payment. The state offers tax breaks for many veterans. Learn more in our post on New York veteran property tax exemptions.
Check the property type early. The VA page says condos must be in a VA-approved project. In New York City, many homes are condos or co-ops, so ask your lender early if a home can work with a VA loan. Up north, ask about heating costs and snow removal before you make an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Army bases are in New York?
New York has four active Army installations: Fort Drum, West Point, Fort Hamilton, and Watervliet Arsenal. The state also has National Guard sites such as Camp Smith.
Is West Point an Army base?
Yes. West Point is an Army post with its own garrison. It is also home to the U.S. Military Academy, and it has been occupied by the Army since 1778.
Is there an Army base in New York City?
Yes. Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn is the only active-duty military installation in the New York City area. It hosts the city's MEPS and a large Army recruiting battalion.
What division is at Fort Drum?
Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).
Which New York Army base has the highest BAH?
Fort Hamilton, in the New York City rate area. In 2026, an E-5 with dependents gets $5,070 a month there, the highest of the four.
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