Carlisle Barracks is a Carlisle, Pennsylvania installation operated by the U.S. Army in South Central Pennsylvania. Described by some (including Army.mil) as “the most strategic 500 acres in the United States Army thanks in no small part to its status as the home of the Army War College.
Find information about Carlisle Barracks, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and
Mission & Units
The basic mission of Carlisle Barracks is to support the operations of the Army War College, the Center for Strategic Leadership, and other operations at the installation. Important organizations at Carlisle Barracks include:
- Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC)
- Army War College Public Affairs Office
- Center for Strategic Leader Development (CSLD)
- Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute
- Strategic Studies Institute
History
Carlisle Barracks, like many Army installations, has a history stretching back to the 1700s. British troops built a camp near the area in 1745, but in 1776 the Continental Congress approved the construction of an Army Ordnance Center in the area, then known as Washingtonburg.
In 1794, Carlisle Barracks was part of the government’s response to events related to the Whiskey Rebellion, which involved Pennsylvania farmers who refused to pay taxes on commercial whiskey distilled from local corn crops.
In 1879, the War Department allowed the Department of the Interior to take control of the installation, and it became the site of a boarding school operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. World War One saw the War Department reclaiming the installation to use as a military hospital. That operation saw approximately four thousand patients during its run.
The Medical Field Service School was created there in 1920, training some 30 thousand troops over more than 25 years. In 1951 the Army War College relocated to Carlisle Barracks, which today is designated as an Installation Management Agency installation.
The Carlisle
Contacts
Main Address And Phone Numbers
Carlisle Barracks
Ashburn Gate
U.S. Route 11 Gate
Asburn Drive
Carlisle, PA 17013
- 717-245-4357
- DSN 312-242-4357
Important Contact numbers
- Emergency 911
- Fire Department (717) 245-4419
- ID and CAC Card Processing (717) 245-3533
- Library (717) 245-4300
- Morale, Welfare and Recreation (717) 245-4332
- National Sexual Assault Hotline (800) 656-4673
- Operator (717) 245-3700
- Police Department (717) 245-4115
- Post Office (717) 258-1930
- Red Cross (717) 243-5211
- SHARP Program (717) 245-4925
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Visitors Center (717) 245-3721
- Child Development Center (717) 245-3701
- Child, Youth and School Services (717) 245-3801
- Family Advocacy Program (717) 245-3775
- Parent and Outreach Services Director (717) 245-4638
- Youth Center (717) 245-4555
- Legal Services (717) 245-4940
- Tax Center (717) 245-3986
- Dental Clinic (717) 245-4542
- Health Clinic (717) 245-3400
- Veterinary Treatment Facility (717) 245-4168
- Wellness Center (717) 245-4004
- Ashburn Hall (717) 245-4245
- Balfour Beatty Communities (717) 243-7177
- Enlisted Barracks (717) 245-3995
- Housing Office (717) 245-4951
- IHG Army Hotels (717) 245-4245
- Pratt Hall (717) 245-4660
- Washington Hall (717) 245-3838
Surrounding Area
Located within 50 miles of the city centers of Hershey, York, and Harrisburg, PA, Carlisle is well-suited for local road trips within a reasonable driving distance. There are two airports serving the Carlisle area, Harrisburg International Airport (approximately 30 miles away) and Hagerstown Regional Airport which is about 50 miles away.
At Carlisle, Cumberland County Historical Society is worth a look if you are interested in local area history, the Union Fire Company No. 1 Historical Fire Museum is another place t
Carlisle is also the home of a local tour company offering the Cumberland Beer Trail, which provides local tours of the area’s finest breweries and pubs.
Due to the nature of Carlisle Barracks, reporting and check-in procedures will vary depending on both the policies of the gaining unit and the status of the new arrival. Those who are students at the Army War College will have different requirements than other soldiers checking in.
Soldiers reporting for duty during normal hours who are not attending Army War College courses must first report to the gaining unit, then proceed to the Military Personnel Services Division for “personalized” in-processing checklists.
Those arriving after duty hours in need of assistance are directed to call the Carlisle Barracks Police Station Duty Officer (717-245-4342/4115,) to get contact information for billeting if needed. All new arrivals coming after duty hours must contact their gaining unit and begin in-processing the next duty day.
The in-processing steps are “in-person” and require an official to sign off on the soldier’s paperwork as part of these requirements.
Those reporting for duty who are from other branches of military service (Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, etc.) must contact the gaining unit to get instructions on how to proceed upon arrival.
Those attending the Army War College have the following check-in procedures:
- Check-in with the Human Resources Directorate immediately upon arrival.
- All arrivals report to Human Resource Division during normal duty hours.
- Those arriving after duty hours must report the following duty day.
- At check-in you will receive an in-processing checklist and additional inprocessing instructions.
- Army War College students should expect to get appointments for Centralized Inprocessing and must plan on attending in person.
Services
Health Care
Healthcare services at Carlisle Barracks are provided by Dunham U.S. Army Health Clinic, which is a primary care facility with services including but not limited to:
- Pediatric care
- Optometry
- Physical therapy
- Behavioral health
- Laboratory services
- Pharmacy
- Radiology
- Mammography
- Immunizations
- Physical exams
Routine outpatient medical care is provided, but emergency services are handled by off-post providers. Urgent care is available during normal clinic hours.
Child Care
The Moore Child Development Center is responsible for child care for children ages six weeks to five years old. The facility offers full day care, part-day, and hourly care. Preschool programs are also offered. Hourly care is offered only on a space-available basis.
Military families at Carlisle Barracks also have the option of enrolling their children in Family Child Care offered in on-post private homes. These homes are inspected and certified.
Waiting lists for all childcare programs may apply depending on the time of year, PCS season
Household Goods
All inbound personnel PCSing to Carlisle Barracks
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All ID card services should be arranged in advance via the Carlisle Barracks RAPIDS appointment scheduler site or by calling (717) 245-3533. All CAC services end at 3PM daily-all such services must be scheduled or started by that time. Due to high volumes and demand, walk-in services are discouraged.
Schools
There are no DoD schools at Carlisle Barracks, but military families living on post or in areas near the Army War College send their school-age children to Carlisle Area School District. That district’s schools include:
- Bellaire Elementary School (K-5)
- Hamilton Elementary School (K-5)
- LeTort Elementary School (K-5)
- Wilson Middle School (6-8)
- Lamberton Middle School (6-8)
- Carlisle High School (9-12)
In the local community, there are five school districts to choose from. Families with children residing in off-post housing will attend schools in the area based on location. Get assistance with school placement, transfer requirements and more by calling 717-245-4555 or DSN 312-242-4555.
Housing
All new arrivals PCSing to Carlisle Barracks are directed to report to the Housing Office as instructed in their PCS orders. There is limited housing on-post for families, roughly 320 total units, and the Housing Office will assist new arrivals with their options on or off-post.
Those who are on orders to attend the Army War College will be assigned quarters upon arrival as part of a student billeting plan. Call the Housing Office at 717-245-4017 for assistance with on-post or off-post housing options.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary quarters are available via Army Lodging at Carlisle Barracks. Accommodations for those traveling on orders can be reserved anytime, but confirmation cannot be provided earlier than 30 days prior to the arrival date specified on the orders.
Reservations for unofficial travel are accepted but depending on the time of year they may not be confirmed sooner than two weeks from September to May, and no sooner than three days during June, July, and August each year. Make reservations at 717-245-4245.
Transportation
The usual
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Pennsylvania state law allows service members to “maintain Pennsylvania registration” or to “title and register the vehicle in the jurisdiction in which he/she is stationed”. Those who choose to register in Pennsylvania should know that in 2016, the state does NOT issue registration stickers but all drivers registered in the state are required to maintain current registration, regardless.
Base decals are required to operate on Carlisle Barracks-those without decals are subject to being stopped. Contact the Carlisle Barracks Vehicle Registration Office at 717-245-4972 to learn what current requirements are to register on-base beyond the usual insurance, seatbelts, etc.