Rock Island Arsenal is an Army installation located on the Mississippi River. Located between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois, the Arsenal serves as the Headquarters for First Army and is home to the Army Center of Excellence for Additive Manufacturing.
Find information about Rock Island Arsenal, including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PSCing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission & Units
Rock Island Arsenal is among the largest DoD-owned weapons manufacturing site in the Continental United States. The Arsenal is responsible for manufacturing, logistics, and base support services and at least one source claims the post is the only active U.S. Army foundry.
Missions and units at Rock Island include:
- Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC)
- Army Contracting Command
- Army Sustainment Command
- Corps of Engineers
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC)
- First Army
- Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC)
- Joint Munitions Command (JMC)
History
Many Army posts tend to be very old and Rock Island is no exception. In 1809, the land was set aside as a federal military reservation; by 1816 Fort Armstrong was opened in the area as part of a protective network of outposts or forts. Abandoned in 1836, the fort ran as a depot for military ordnance until 1845.
Thanks to Congress, the Arsenal was officially established in 1862. But it was the man known as “the Father of Rock Island Arsenal”, General Thomas J. Rodman, who was responsible for bringing the entire facility to a new level, redesigning or contributing to the redesign from 1865 to 1871. His work can still be seen at the center of the Arsenal.
The Army official site and other sources note the post was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. As the largest government-owned-and-operated arsenal, the facility has supported the mission of every major conflict since the 1900s.
Contacts
Main Base Address and Phone Number
Rock Island Arsenal
390 Rodman Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61299
- 309-782-6001
- DSN 312-793-6001
Important Contact Numbers
- Commissary (309) 782-4614
- Common Access Card and Military ID (309) 782-0597
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (309) 782-4357
- Employment Readiness Program (ERP) (309) 782-0829
- Equal Employment Opportunity (309) 782-2548
- Garrison Commander (309) 782-7722
- Human Resources (309) 782-1320
- Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (309) 782-0573
- Operator (309) 782-6001
- Public Affairs (309) 782-1121
- Relocation Readiness Program (309) 782-0816
- SHARP Hotline (309) 229-8412
- Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
- Visitor Center (309) 782-0485
- School Support Services (309) 782-6515
- Child Development Center (309) 782-0791
- Covenant Cottage Home-Based Care (309) 782-6793
- Family Child Care (309) 782-0813
- Parent Central Services (309) 782-0791
- School Age Center (309) 782-5019
- Army Emergency Relief (AER) (309) 782-0815
- Domestic Violence Hotline (309) 912-6089
- Financial Readiness (309) 782-0815
- Legal Assistance Office (LAO) (309) 782-1443
- Office of Counsel (309) 782-8406
- Health Clinic (309) 782-0805
- Post Housing Office (309) 782-2376
Surrounding Area
The proximity to Illinois and Iowa cities makes Rock Island Arsenal a great jumping-off point to discover places like Chicago, Rockford, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and many others. Chicago, Illinois is just under three hours away, and Minneapolis approximately five hours away–a destination for many who want to visit the famous Paisley Park studios and museum of the late Prince is located there.
Rock Island itself features the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, a home for the rich and varied history of the area. Established by the Army in 1905, this facility is said to be older than most Army museums with only one exception–the one at West Point.
Other attractions nearby include casino gambling at Jumer’s, the Quad City Botanical Center, and the Broadway National Historic District.
Inprocessing and Check-In
In-processing procedures will vary depending on the gaining unit. Check with your sponsor to learn what unique requirements may affect your check-in depending on the nature of the gaining unit. There is no after-hours check-in or CQ available for incoming troops. All new arrivals are expected to report to the gaining unit the first duty day after arrival.
New troops reporting to the Army Sustainment Command (ASC), Joint Munitions Command (JMC), or Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (JMTC) are directed to report to the HHC ASC Orderly Room; call (309) 782-0189 for more information..
First Army personnel must report directly to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), call (309) 782-9227.
Civilian employees are directed to meet with their servicing Civilian Personnel representative in the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center to get an in-processing appointment.
Services
Health Care
There are no dedicated family healthcare facilities on-post. The U.S. Army Health Clinic serves active duty military members; dependents and retirees are seen only on a space-available basis.
Rock Island is considered a TRICARE Prime region, it’s best to contact a TRICARE rep as soon as you receive orders to discuss how to sign up in the area and when. Call Army Clinic Appointments line at 309-782-0805 for more information.
Child Care
The base provides child care services via three Child Development Centers on-post. The Center is open Monday through Friday, closed holidays, and offers care for children between six weeks and five years old.
- Rock Island CDC Preschool Program for children 3 to 5 years old;
- Rock Island Infant/Toddler Program for children from 6 weeks to 36 months.
Call the CDC at 309-782-2822. Waiting lists may apply.
Household Goods
All incoming service members are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments via the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance via the Rock Island Arsenal Transportation Outbound/Inbound office at 309-782-1360 or DSN 312-793-1360.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
All ID card services at Rock Island Arsenal are handled by the Identification and CommonAccess Card (CAC) Office, which advises a minimum of a 30-day advance appointment. Walk-ins are discouraged.
According to the CAC office official site, “Each person requiring an identification/common access card must have an appointment; more than one family member means one appointment for each family member.” Make an appointment by calling 309-782-0596.
Schools
There are no DoD schools on post and no local schools operating schoolhouses onboard Rock Island Arsenal. This local area has many smaller communities and there’s a diverse range of choices for schools. Those assigned to the post may send their children to any number of school districts including:
- Moline, Illinois School District
- Rock Island, Illinois School District
- Davenport Iowa School District
- Bettendorf Iowa School District
- Pleasant Valley Iowa School District
Call 309-782-6515 to learn more about school choices, transfer requirements, etc.
Housing
Rock Island Arsenal is unique among military bases in that it has no on-post lodging for single or unaccompanied troops. A limited number of family housing units are available on Rock Island Arsenal, advertised as “newly constructed” as of 2018.
Waiting lists may apply, call the Rock Island Arsenal Housing Office at 309-782-2376 or 309-782-0605 to learn about signing up for housing or getting housing in the local area.
Due to the location of the Arsenal, there are far too many housing markets between Illinois and Iowa (that a servicemember might realistically choose to commute from to the post) to list here; contact the housing office for assistance with the many communities in the area.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Rock Island does NOT have a temporary lodging facility on-post. You will be required to obtain a statement of non-availability to be reimbursed for hotel stays on the local economy. The Rock Island MWR official site has included a list of local hotels that offer discounted rates to incoming troops.
Ask your sponsor about obtaining a certificate of non-availability before your PCS move or relocation begins. Some official Rock Island information has in the past claimed that no statement of non-availability is required; since the Department of Defense is otherwise very consistent in its’ requirement of one, it’s best to ask what current Rock Island policy is before choosing NOT to pursue one.
Transportation
Depending on the time of day, seasonal travel, and other variables, the usual ride sharing and commercial taxi and shuttle services are available. The closest airports to Rock Island include:
- Quad City International Airport: 11 miles
- Dubuque Regional Airport: 66 miles
- Eastern Iowa Airport: 82 miles
- Southeast Iowa Regional Airport: 83 miles
- Downing Peoria International Airport: 101 miles
- Chicago Rockford International Airport: 129 miles
- Chicago O’Hare: 177 miles
Traffic in areas such as Rockford, Chicago O’Hare, and elsewhere can be a serious factor when arriving during rush hour; plan your journey accordingly. It may be best to get the assistance of your sponsor when trying to decide the best way to travel from the airport due to such factors, especially during winter.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
New arrivals are directed to report to the Security Office to register privately owned vehicles on post. You will be required to bring the usual identification and paperwork including:
- Valid driver’s license
- Proof of liability insurance
- License plate number
- Registration from the issuing state.
Rock Island Arsenal no longer requires the display of a Department of Defense decal. Because Rock Island Arsenal is located adjacent to both Illinois and Iowa, you’ll need to register your vehicle in whichever state you choose to reside in and comply with all state requirements there.