Fort McCoy is the only Army installation in the state of Wisconsin. The Army maintains 60 thousand acres at the fort, more than 40 thousand of which are live-fire and maneuver training zones. Located in Monroe County, the post is approximately three hours from Green Bay, Wisconsin and four hours from Chicago, Illinois. Fort McCoy is ideally situated for those who like rural life, outdoor activities, and big-city attractions.
Find information about Fort McCoy, Wisconsin including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and in-processing.
Fort McCoy, Wisconsin Mission & Units
Training is one of the major missions at Fort McCoy, with literally thousands of acres dedicated to live-fire exercises and training maneuvers.
The fort hosts large military exercises each year; the Fort McCoy WAREX or Warrior Exercise is a platoon-level training event, and the fort’s Combat Support Training Exercise (commonly referred to as CSTX) is a company-level version. Other training exercises at Fort McCoy have included Global Medic which replicates the conditions of theater-level combat medical support, and Operation Cold Steel which is an Army Reserve four-month gunnery training exercise.
Major units at Fort McCoy include:
- 11th Bn (MI)/100th Division (IT)
- 13/100th BN (OD)
- 181st Infantry Brigade
- 426th Regt Training Institute Wisconsin Military Academy
- 86th Training Division
- 871st ENG DET
- 88th RSC
- B Company, 6th BN 52nd Avn Regiment
- Company C 3/399th Log Bn
- Detachment 1, 1152 Transportation Company
- Fort McCoy Recruiting Company
- HHC, USAG
- RTS Maintenance
- RTS-Medical
- USAR NCO Academy – Fort McCoy
- WI National Guard Challenge Academy
- Wisconsin State Patrol Academy
Fort McCoy, Wisconsin History
Fort McCoy began in 1909 as an artillery range-it was an idea proposed by Major General Robert Bruce McCoy, who believed that future conflicts would require a dedicated area to improve weapons, tactics, and conduct training.
McCoy began purchasing land-as much as 4,000 acres-and it wasn’t long before experimental training was being conducted in the area to test the viability of the land for such purposes.
Eventually this land housed the Sparta Maneuver Tract, and an area known as Camp Robinson was established nearby. Between then and the end of World War One and beyond many changes were in store. In 1926, McCoy passed away and the installation was redesignated Camp McCoy in his honor.
The World War Two-era Camp McCoy saw thousands of soldiers participating in military exercises known as the Second Army Maneuvers; 45 thousand acres were also added during the war and became known for its’ Prisoner Of War population of German, Japanese, and Korean service members.
Like some other military bases, in the aftermath of World War Two, Camp McCoy became an out-processing station; in 1947 operations were suspended there until the Korean War brought more demand for Camp McCoy’s services. But in 1953 the camp was again deactivated.
In 1970, the Army decided to use Camp McCoy to begin training reserve forces and in 1974 an Army General Order redesignated the installation as Fort McCoy, acknowledging its’ year-round training operations there.
Later decisions by the Base Realignment And Closure Commission benefited Fort McCoy as nearby Army installations closed including Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana, and Fort Sheridan.
Today approximately 100 thousand troops train at the Fort each year. Fort McCoy supports global anti-terrorism operations and other Army endeavors around the world.
Fort McCoy Contacts
Main Address And Phone Numbers
Fort McCoy
35 South M Street
Fort McCoy, WI 54656
- 608-388-3505
- (DSN) 312-280-3505
Important Fort McCoy Contact Numbers
- Emergency – 911
- Child Development Center – 608-388-2238 / (DSN) 312-280-2238
- Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273-8255
- Visitors Center – (608) 388-4988
- ID and CAC Card Processing – (608) 388-4563
- USAR NCO Academy – (608) 388-2977
- Family Youth Services – (608) 388-4373
- Household Goods/Transportation Office (inbound) – 608-388-3060
- Installation Legal Office – 608-388-2165 / (DSN) 312-280-2165
- Parent Central Services – (608) 388-8956
- Child Development Center – (608) 388-2238
- Finance And Legal Financial Readiness – (608) 388-3505
- TRICARE – (608) 388-2246
- Housing And Lodging Recreational Lodging – (608) 388-2029
- IHG Army Hotels – (608) 388-2107
- Unaccompanied Personnel Housing – (608) 388-3704
- School Support Services – (608) 388-6814
Fort McCoy Surrounding Area
Fort McCoy is approximately 40 miles northeast of La Crosse and 125 miles southeast of Eau Claire. Most of the attractions nearby are outdoorsy in nature; you can visit the Black River State Forest and view glacier beds, sandstone bluffs, and explore trails there.
You can also explore Eureka Maple Woods State Natural Area, or discover the town of Tomah, 15 miles from Fort McCoy and featuring Amish culture, cheese production, and casino gaming.
Fort McCoy Inprocessing and Check-In
Check-in procedures at Fort McCoy depend on whether the inbound troops are permanent party, stationed at a tenant unit, etc. All personnel assigned or attached to US Army Headquarters Company Garrison must report to the inprocessing section of the Military Personnel Office during duty hours.
Those arriving after normal duty hours including weekends and holidays should call 608-388-3960 to check in, then report in person the next duty day. All check-ins should be accomplished with a 201 file and leave forms.
Those reporting to tenant units should contact the gaining unit for check-in procedures and in-processing times, as these may vary greatly from unit to unit.
Fort McCoy Services
Health Care
Incoming troops and military families should know that there is no outpatient care available on Fort McCoy; all outpatient care for families and service members is provided by private, off-post providers and TRICARE Prime Remote should be signed up for at check-in.
On-post Sick Call operations are handled by the Troop Medical Clinic for Reserve and National Guard troops during their Annual Training (AT). This clinic is also open to ECT soldiers and permanent party military members who have a medical profile. No on-post services are available for dependents or military retirees.
Child Care
Fort McCoy is served by the Child Development Center (CDC); this CDC is certified and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Programs are available for children between six weeks and five years old; the Fort McCoy CDC offers full day care services, and part-time care is offered on a space-available basis. Call 608-388-2238 for more information, a waiting list may be required depending on demand, mission needs, and other variables..
There are also on-post School Age Centers offering care for children in primary school, including care offered:
- Before school and after school
- During school closures
- For summer and seasonal breaks in schooling
- During summer camp
- When hourly care is needed
Learn more at the Fort McCoy Morale, Welfare, And Recreation (MWR) official site.
Household Goods
Inbound personnel with PCS orders to Fort McCoy are directed to use the Defense Personal Property System to manage and track your household goods shipment at Move.mil. You can also contact the Inbound TMO at 608-388-3060 for help with scheduling or more information.
Dependent and Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
Changes to the Fort McCoy official website may make locating information about applying for replacement, renewal, or new issue of ID cards and CAC “common access cards” difficult. All personnel are directed to use the RAPIDS system to book appointments for ID card services on post or call (608) 388-4563 to learn the current requirements for appointments and identification to obtain ID cards and CACs.
Fort McCoy Schools
There are no elementary or secondary schools located on-post. Depending on where the military family resides, children may attend schools in one of the following districts:
- Holmen
- La Crosse
- Onalaska
- Sparta
- Tomah
- West Salem
School-age children have a set of state-mandated immunizations which must be current when enrolling. The number of doses and other requirements will vary by age.
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis.
- Pediatric Diphtheria-Tetanus without pertussis (for children under age seven who should not receive Pertussis vaccine)
- Tetanus-Diphtheria shot for ages seven and above.
- Mumps, Measles and Rubella
- Varicella / Chickenpox
Fort McCoy has a School Liaison Officer who can advise parents on school choices, locations, immunizations, and more. Call 608-388-6814 or DSN 312-280-6814.
Fort McCoy Housing
On-post housing at Fort McCoy is available for all ranks but there is a waiting list; call the Fort McCoy Housing Office to check wait times.
Inbound personnel PCSing from overseas unaccompanied duty (such as from posts in South Korea) will be assigned a spot on the waiting list based on the length of their unaccompanied tour. Call the Housing Office at 608-388-3704. Help and referrals are available for those who seek off-base housing in the local area.
At the time of this writing, all active-duty, active Guard, and active Reserve troops within a one hour commute of the installation must report to the Housing Office within 30 days of checking in to Fort McCoy.
Unaccompanied service members (Sergeants and below) are required to live on-post in Unaccompanied Housing (UH). Call the number for the Housing Office (see above) for information about UH as soon as you have orders to Fort McCoy.
“Geographic bachelors” must contact the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for information about available apartments according to the Fort McCoy official site.
Fort McCoy PCS and TDY Lodging
Inbound TDY and PCSing troops should make reservations online or by phone with IHG Army Hotels; call 608-388-2107 to reserve rooms. Those traveling on military orders may be given priority over space-available and/or leisure travel bookings.
Fort McCoy Transportation
Those who need taxi service on post for official business can call 608-388-3616 to request a base taxi.
La Crosse Municipal Airport is the closest runway to Fort McCoy. It is 35 miles away in La Crosse, Wisconsin and there is a courtesy phone in the lobby that those traveling on military orders can use to be picked up. Availability of this service may depend on demand, mission requirements, and other variables.
Fort McCoy Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Registering privately owned vehicles at Fort McCoy is not required, nor is there a base decal or sticker requirement. Drivers should expect 100% ID checks when entering the installation and all vehicles are subject to random searches.
All drivers must carry state-required minimum insurance, use seat belts, and insure their vehicles meet all state requirements.
Those who wish to use motorcycles on post must complete a motorcycle safety training program called the Basic Riders Course, but the type of motorcycle operated may require an Experienced Riders Course or Military Sport Bike Riders Course.
For legal driving in Wisconsin, all who rent or own a residence in the state, pay state taxes, have children attending school, and all who vote in Wisconsin are required to apply for a Wisconsin drivers’ license within 60 days of arrival.
Those who need Commercial Driver’s Licenses only have 30 days to apply for a Wisconsin license. Proof of residency is required.