Located in California 250 miles north of Los Angeles, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett is located in Jolon, California, and functions as an Army Reserve base dedicated to training and support in a multi-service and international environment. This Reserve base has operated since 2005 and is surrounded by many small communities. There’s a large number of military bases in the general area and the community is full of veterans, retirees, federal employees, etc.
Find information about Fort Hunter Liggett including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and in processing.
Mission & Units
Fort Hunter Liggett is said to be one of the largest, if not THE largest installation under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Reserve. There are over 160,000 acres dedicated to a “year-round training environment that resembles 20 percent of the world’s terrain,” according to the official site. The training environments include ranges, training areas and “maneuver spaces” designed to provide training and support for both “current and future weapons systems and platforms”.
Important missions and units include:
- 91st Training Division (Operations)
- Logistics Readiness Center
- 80th Training Command
- 3-356th Logistics Support Battalion/189th CAB
- 31st Seabee Readiness Group
- Troop Aid Station
- Equipment Concentration Site (ECS)
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Network Enterprise Center
History
Fort Hunter Liggett became an Army installation since the land it is situated upon was purchased from none other than William Randolph Hearst (who is said to be caricatured in the famous Orson Welles film Citizen Kane) and a few “neighboring landowners”. In 1941 the area was designated as Hunter Liggett Military Reservation in 1941. The base’s namesake, Lieutenant General Hunter Liggett, was the commander of the 41st National Guard Division, and also headed First Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War One.
Until 1952, this installation fell under the authority of Camp Roberts in San Miguel, CA, and later was considered a sub-installation of Fort Ord. In 1975, the reservation was redesignated Fort Hunter Liggett Military Installation. It remained a sub-installation of Fort Ord. Fort Hunter Liggett was put under U.S. Army Reserve in 1993. Today the fort operates as a USAG in sub-installation of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, functioning as the Army Reserve Command Western Reserve Training Center.
Contacts
- Army Community Services 831-386-2372
- Billeting (Troop Barracks) 831-386-2644
- Child, Youth & School Services (CYSS) 831-386-2605
- DPTMS 831-386-2161
- Digital Training Facility/Distance Learning Ctr 831-386-2003
- Emergency Mgt 831-386-3209
- Range Safety 831-386-2310
- Range Operations 831-386-3060/2482
- Range Scheduling 831-386-2744/2510
- Security, AT/Intel 831-386-3816
- Training Mgt. 831-324-5304
- Training Instructor 831-386-3157
- Police: 831-386-2526
- Fire: 831-386-2517
- Human Resources 831-386-2584/2502
- Public Affairs 831-386-2530
- Public Works 831-386-2866
- Environmental 831-386-2791
- Family Advocacy Program 831-386-2378
- Housing Services 831-386-2075
- ID Card Office 831-386-2584
- Lodging (IHG) 831-386-2511
- Military Personnel Division 831-386-3009
- Network Enterprise Center (NEC) Help Desk: 1-866-335-2769
- Police Department (Non-Emergency) 831-386-2513
- (Emergency 9-1-1)
- SHARP – Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention 925-875-4370
Surrounding Area
The Fort is conveniently located for those who like driving and want to explore the coast. It’s a 250 mile drive to Los Angeles, and 150 miles south of San Francisco, the Salinas Valley is to the north. On the southern side it is adjacent to San Luis Obispo. Fort Hunter Liggett is located in the town of Jolon–this part of the countryside doesn’t offer as much in the way of local attractions and you may find it worthwhile to spend some driving time to find what you’re looking for out of your time here.
Fort Hunter Liggett is located in a sizable military community; the Presidio of Monterey (roughly three hours away) is just one of many important military installations in the California region. Whale watching is popular in the area, and you can learn plenty about local sea life if you make the drive to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There are private companies that offer boat tours, whale spotting, kayaking, and plenty of other water-based activities.
California is famous for its’ wineries–when tourist season is happening you can take advantage of wine-centric tours and events that feature local wine growers and local wine cellars. Naturally, California is a boon for anyone interested in the film industry, you’ll find no shortage of movie tour related activities including bus tours around famous and important movie industry sites in the area.
Golf lovers will love Monterey; the Del Monte Golf Course and Monterey Pines Golf Club are just two of the many facilities you can explore for a round of golf and don’t miss the golfing in nearby Pebble Beach. Closer to home, attractions are fewer and farther between–in fact, many travel guides for the area note the Fort itself as a tourist destination of sorts.
Inprocessing and Check-In
Inbound troops PCSing to Fort Hunter Liggett are directed to get instructions from the gaining unit as to in-processing and check-in procedures. Fort Hunter Liggett’s Visitors Center is open during most normal duty hours–visitors without a pass must “report to the (Visitor Center) prior to the front gate; proceed to the gate when not open”. Call 831-386-3875 for assistance.
Health Care
Contact your TRICARE representative when you receive orders to Fort Hunter Liggett to learn what current healthcare options are available. The Fort Hunter Liggett official site provides no information about on base healthcare options.
Child Care
On-base child care is provided by the Fort Hunter Liggett Child & Youth Services Child Development Center. The official site states, “We ensure the availability of predictable programs and services for eligible children and youth ages six weeks to 18 years, while making sure that each child and youth program is affordable.” Minimal basic information is available at the fort’s official site, call Fort Hunter Liggett Child and Youth Services at (831)-386-2605 to learn about requirements for waiting lists, fee structures, etc.
Household Goods
All soldiers PCSing to Fort Hunter Liggett are directed to track and manage their household goods shipments using the Defense Personal Property System at Move.mil. You can also get local assistance by calling the Fort Hunter Liggett Inbound TMO office at 831-242-6458.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
ID card services at Fort Hunter Liggett are provided at the ID Card Section office. You can get personal assistance at (831) 386–2584, but all appointments are generally encouraged to be made via the ID Card RAPIDS Appointment Scheduler site.
Schools
Only minimal information is available from official sources about school opportunities in the local area. For assistance, call the Fort Hunter Liggett Child And Youth Services office at (831)-386-2605.
Local area school attendance may be based on your zip code or the location of your home; local school choices include the following:
- San Antonio Union School District
- King City Union School District
- Santa Lucia Elementary School
- Del Rey Elementary School
- Chalone Peaks Middle School
- King City High School
- King City Arts Magnet School
Housing
Fort Hunter Liggett has Army Family Housing Units on post but demand can be high and it’s strongly recommended that you call the Housing Office (831-386-2075) to see what on-post housing is available.
You are required to submit DD-1746 Application for Family Housing and a copy of your PCS orders. DOD civilians “must have a copy of your offer letter of employment and proof of dependent status to qualify for Army Family Housing at Fort Hunter Liggett”.
Unaccompanied troops should contact their sponsor and the gaining unit command support staff to learn what current housing options are open to those PCSing to the Fort.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Fort Hunter Liggett has a large number of rooms but demand can be high–call the UPH/Billeting Office at 831-386-2535/2644 to obtain current status for booking.
You may need to obtain a Certificate of Non-Availability for TDY lodging. Army official site information includes an advisory that all personnel must submit “a TSR-Form Training Support Request Form for Billeting and a copy of the soldier’s orders for all Mobilized and/or Active Guard Reserve Soldiers requiring UPH quarters.” Call as soon as you have PCS or TDY orders to the area for best results.
Transportation
Depending on the time of your arrival and other variables, the usual ride-sharing, commercial taxis, and shuttles may be available. Due to the sheer size of California, the travel distances involved by car, rush hour, and other traffic complications you should have a conversation with your sponsor about your arrival into California, checking into the Fort, etc.
The nearest airport is San Jose International Airport, roughly 134 miles from the installation. Rush hour can make this drive much longer depending on circumstances–talk to your sponsor to plan your arrival and check-in.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Fort Hunter Liggett requires all vehicles to submit to 100% ID checks, random searches, and all drivers must obey on-post speed and safety guidelines. If you are driving a rental car into the installation you must have all paperwork related to the rental including the agreement and any applicable insurance.
All those PCSing to bases in California should know the State of California has Evidence of Financial Responsibility (EFR) laws for motor vehicle operators. All drivers must carry auto insurance for coverages that have in the past required a minimum $15,000 for death or injury to any person, $30,000 for death or injury (more than one person), and $5,000 property damage coverage.
Those who do not carry the mandatory insurance minimums can be fined. These sums are large–up to $2,000 depending on the number of offenses). If there is an accident while not properly insured, the California DMV may suspend your license as well and your car impounded. Furthermore, as in all other states, vehicles must comply with California state law including emissions testing requirements, seatbelt use, and other regulations.