Fort Rucker, Alabama is the home of the Army Aviation Warfighting Center of Excellence (USAACE). This Army installation is located in Dale County, 80 miles from Montgomery, Alabama.
Find information about Fort Rucker including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Fort Rucker Mission & Units
The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence is the U.S. Army program to train its’ aviation force to deploy anywhere around the world.
The training includes leadership and professional development, and USAACE supports aircraft maintenance, logistics and leadership training, “in support of the total force and foreign nations for the sustainment of joint and combined aviation operations” according to the Department of Defense.
Fort Rucker is host to an impressive variety of major commands including the Army Warrant Officer Career College, Army Air Traffic Services Command, Army Aviation Technical Test Center, Aviation Center Logistics Command, and U.S. Army Aeromedical Center.
Other units at Fort Rucker include the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center, the Army School of Aviation Medicine, and the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory.
Fort Rucker History
The history of Fort Rucker is closely associated with World War Two. Seven days after the United States entered the war in 1941, Congress approved funding of approximately $10 billion specifically for defense; a draft was initiated and in support of that a large number of training facilities and bases had to be opened. One of the bases created in that surge was Fort Rucker.
Fort Rucker is named after the Civil War officer, Colonel Edmund W. Rucker, who was later awarded an honorary promotion to General.
Fort Rucker opened in Alabama in 1942, when it was known as Camp Rucker, and served as a training camp. It was expanded by well over 1,000 acres which were earmarked as a airfield (Ozark Army Airfield) used to support training operations there. The 81st Wildcat Infantry Division were among the very first to train there.
After the war, Camp Rucker closed until 1950, when it reopened to support the Korean conflict, going inactive once more after the Korean Armistice in 1954. But it wouldn’t be long before Camp Rucker became the host of the Army Aviation School, formerly located at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Since then Fort Rucker has been a very important place for Army Aviators.
Fort Rucker Contacts
Fort Rucker Main Address
Fort Rucker
Novosel Street, Building 5700, Room 177
Fort Rucker, AL 36362
Fort Rucker Main Telephone Numbers
- Commercial 334-255-2887
- Commercial 334-255-3161
- DSN 312-558-3161
- Commercial Fax 334-255-0434
- DSN Fax 312-558-0434
Fort Rucker Base Operator
- Commercial 334-255-1110
- DSN 312-558-1110
Fort Rucker Important Contact Numbers
Military Personnel Division (Check-In and Inprocessing)
- Commercial 334-255-1814
- Commercial 334-255-2869
- Fort Rucker Temporary Housing/Lodging/International Hotel Group Army Hotels (IHG) IHG Commercial 877-711-TEAM / Fort Rucker Hotel Commercial 334-598-5216
- Fort Rucker Family Housing 334-255-1205 or 334-255-1854
- Lyster Army Health Clinic Commercial Toll-Free 1-800-261-7193.
- Fort Rucker Child Development Center (CDC) Commercial 334-255-2262
- Fort Rucker Family Center Commercial 334-255-3817
- Fort Rucker Visitor Control Center Commercial 334-255-0607
- Fort Rucker American Red Cross Commercial 334-792-9852
Fort Rucker Surrounding Area
Fort Rucker, Alabama, is in southeast corner of the state, located in Dale County. Fort Rucker is surrounded by four local communities; Daleville, Dothan, Enterprise, and Ozark. The area features the Daleville Cultural and Convention Center, the Wiregrass Museum of Art, and Daleville features the Army Aviation Museum, considered one of Alabama’s top tourism sites.
Enterprise features annual powerboat racing in April with the event Thunder On Tholocco, and has the distinction of the “World’s Smallest St. Patrick’s Day parade” every March, featuring “one person of Irish descent” according to the Enterprise, Alabama Chamber of Commerce.
Fort Rucker Inprocessing and Check-In
Because of the large number of training commands and related activities at Fort Rucker, check-in procedures will vary greatly depending on the military member’s status as permanent party, TDY, or as a member of a training program.
Fort Rucker Permanent Party Check-In and Inprocessing
All incoming permanent party soldiers arriving during duty hours Monday through Friday are required to report to the Soldier Service Center, Military Personnel Division Room 280 in Building 5700.
Soldiers reporting after duty hours, on weekends, or holidays, must check in by reporting to building 101 in the Fort Rucker IOC.
On the first duty day after arrival, Soldiers will report the same as those who arrived during duty hours Monday through Friday (see above). All inprocessing must be done in uniform.
Fort Rucker Flight / Captain’s Career Course Students
All Flight and Captain’s Career Course Students are required to report to their unit and sign-in. Inprocessing is done the same as permanent party personnel by reporting to the Soldier Service Center, Military Personnel Division Room 280 in Building 5700.
Fort Rucker Warrant Officer Candidates, WOSC / WOSSC
All Warrant Officer Candidates are instructed to report to building 5910 regardless of when they arrive except for those in WOSC / WOSSC, who report to Building 308, the IHG Army Hotel after duty hours.
Fort Rucker Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Students
All AIT students will report to A Company, located in the 1/13th Avn Regt, Building 6202.
ALC/SLC
All ALC/SLC students must check in at the NCO Academy, Building 4301.
Fort Rucker Civilians
Civilians starting work at Fort Rucker are directed to check into the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center in building 5700, Room 280 to begin their inprocessing procedures.
Fort Rucker Services
Fort Rucker Healthcare
On-post health care is provided by the Lyster Army Health Clinic. There are a variety of options including pediatric care, substance programs, preventive medicine, a dental clinic, behavioral health and much more.
Schedule appointments at Lyster Army Health Clinic via the Patient Appointment Line, commercial 800-261-7193 between the hours of 0700 and 1600, Monday through Friday. Appointments at Lyster may also be scheduled online via TriCareOnline.com.
Fort Rucker Childcare
There are several on-post options for childcare at Fort Rucker including the Child Development Center (CDC) with full-day, part-day and hourly care for children ages six weeks to five years old. The School Age Center (SAC) offers care for children ages six to 10 years old in grades 1-5 with full daycare options during school vacation. SAC is accredited by the Council of Accreditation and certified by the Defense Department.
There are also certified in-home Family Child Care options on-post. Services are open to those with parents working off-peak hours, and for children who need smaller groups for their care.
Fort Rucker childcare options may require entry on a waiting list depending on the time of year, demand, and other factors.
Fort Rucker Military, Dependent, and Retiree ID Card Renewal
Soldiers, dependents and retirees can have military ID cards renewed or replaced on-post at the Soldier Service Center, 5700 Novosel in Room 160. This is done on an appointment basis; it is strongly recommended to make an appointment 120 days before the card expires. Make an appointment.
Walk-in services are available for emergencies such as a lost card. Inprocessing and out processing services are also available on a walk-in basis. Retirees may, depending on space available, also get walk-in service.
Fort Rucker Schools
Military families living on-post in permanent housing at Fort Rucker will have their children attend the Fort Rucker Primary and Elementary DDESS Schools. This is applicable for all grades pre-K through sixth grade. Military families living off-post will send their children to school in the local community. Off-post school contact commercial phone numbers include (but are not limited to):
- Coffee County School System, 334-897-5016
- Daleville City School System, 334-598-2456
- Enterprise City School System, 334-347-9531
- Domestic Dependent Elementary & Secondary Schools
- Ozark City School System, 334-774-5197
- Vivian B. Adams School, 334-774-5132
Fort Rucker Area School Requirements For Immunizations
Alabama state law requires all students attending any classes in the Fort Rucker area to have a list of immunizations which may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Second dose Measles, Mumps, Rubella
- Three-doses DTP
- Three-dose Polio
- Five doses DTP
- Four doses Polio
- Three doses Hepatitis B
- Two doses Hepatitis A
- One dose Varicella/Chicken Pox
Your child’s shot record must have this immunization data.
Fort Rucker Housing
Housing at Fort Rucker has been privatized, and soldiers in search of on-post housing should contact Corvias Military Living to discuss arrangements. On-post housing information is also available from the Leasing and Relocation Center (LRC). Call (commercial) 334-440-8988 or visit the on-post leasing center at 9700 Division Road.
Single soldiers E-6 or above in need of on-post housing may be eligible for shared living options in two and three bedroom homes. The Fort Rucker official site states, “Unaccompanied Personnel Housing is available on Fort Rucker for bona fide bachelors in the rank of Staff Sergeant and above” on a first-come, first served basis.
Soldiers and families can get help with off base housing options via the Fort Rucker Housing Services Office; call commercial (334) 255-1854 or (334) 255-2224.
Fort Rucker PCS and TDY Lodging
Fort Rucker temporary lodging is provided by International Hotel Group Army Hotels (IHG); the facility is in Building 308, on 6th Avenue. Contact IHG 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Commercial 877-711-TEAM or call the Fort Rucker hotel directly at Commercial 334-598-5216. Check-in is 3PM.
Fort Rucker Transportation
No transportation services are indicated for Fort Rucker; those arriving on military orders are required to take private/commercial transportation to the installation and claim the travel as an expense on the soldier’s travel voucher.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Private vehicles are not required to be registered, but all drivers must display their current, non-expired Department of Defense identification card. DoD civilians and contractors, military personnel and family members are required to show their Common Access Card or other Department of Defense ID.
All visitors to Fort Rucker without an official DoD ID must have some form of valid identification in order to be admitted to the installation as a guest. Guests and visitors may require an escort.
All vehicles are required to have the proper insurance, drivers’ license, and other items required by Alabama state law, and rental vehicles must be accompanied by the appropriate paperwork from the rental agency. All Alabama state laws applicable to the operation of a motor vehicle will apply at Fort Rucker.
Motorcycle operators stationed at Fort Rucker are required to carry proof they have completed an Army-approved motorcycle safety course before riding on OR off-post.