USAREC, 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion in Alabama is part of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. Located at the Army’s Redstone Arsenal, this recruiting command has a very large footprint–it’s recruiting work is (like most Army recruiting efforts) spread across a large geographic area. This particular area is larger than some, covering Hawaii, Alaska, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Europe, Guam, Saipan, Japan and Korea.
Find information about USAREC, 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion including the main commercial and DSN numbers for the base, information on basic services, base transportation, lodging for TDY and PCSing personnel, and inprocessing.
Mission
The mission is what the name implies; USAREC 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion in Alabama exists to find the best and brightest future doctors and nurses.
The operation includes Battalion Headquarters plus three medical Recruiting Companies and 18 Medical Recruiting Centers. The various components of the battalion are spread across a wide geographical area, but is headquartered at Redstone Arsenal.
Contacts
Main Address and Phone Numbers
3435 Snooper Road
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
- 256-876-5397
- DSN 312-746-5397
Important Redstone Arsenal Contact Numbers
- Emergency – 911
- Commandant – (256) 876-3349
- Welcome Center – (256) 876-5397
- Redstone Arsenal Information – (256) 876-5397
- Hospital – (256) 955-8888
- Legal Services/JAG – (256) 876-9005
- Defense Military Pay Office – (256) 876-8510
- HHC, U.S. Army Garrison – Redstone Arsenal – (256) 876-3934
- Child and Youth Service Programs – 256-876-3704
- Defense Military Pay Office – (256) 876-8510
- HHC AMCOM – (256) 842-7090
- Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA) – (256) 955-0501
- Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA) – (256) 544-2121
Surrounding Area
Redstone Arsenal is the military base hosting the Battalion. It’s location near Huntsville means access to the fourth largest city in Alabama. A local-famous destination is Burritt on the Mountain, which features a historic mansion, a performance area, and historic park areas featuring structures from as far back as the 1800s.
The Alabama Constitution Village is a great family outing opportunity featuring guides in historic dress providing a wealth of information; history, trivia, and information on what it was like to live in this area in early times. You may find yourself using the Village as a Christmas destination when the attraction is quite popular.
Those into wildlife should visit Harmony Park Safari–this is an outdoor attraction with wild animals in their natural habitat.
When taking a drive-through tour of this park, some of these wild animals may approach your vehicle. They are used to doing this because the park sells animal feed buckets. Be sure to carry cash; ATMs and credit card reader devices may not be available at this attraction.
The Huntsville area features boating and water-based activities; boat enthusiasts should note that all boats operating in Alabama waterways must be licensed or registered with the State of Alabama.
Inprocessing and Check-In
All soldiers PCSing to the Battalion are directed to report to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company on Redstone Arsenal. In-processing happens during normal duty hours and PCSing troops must bring the following to in-process:
- PCS orders and any amendments
- DA 31 leave form
- Finance packet
- DD 1561 Request for Family Separation Allowance
- Civilian drivers license
- Vehicle registration
- Information necessary to update DD 93 and SGLI
- Military 201 file: 2A, 2-1, promotion packet (if applicable)
- Reenlistment card
- Quarters termination sheet if you lived in government quarters
- Clothing records
- MEDPROS Update
- Most recent evaluations
Health Care
Not all troops assigned to the Battalion will serve in the same geographic location as the headquarters at Redstone Arsenal. Those who do physically serve there will use the Fox Army Health Clinic, which serves Redstone Arsenal for primary care, occupational healthcare, and outpatient specialty care.
No emergency room services are available on-post. The Huntsville area features three major hospitals and specialty clinics listed as TRICARE providers.
Clinics, services, and specialties at the Fox Army Health Clinic include:
- Audiology / Speech Pathology
- Clinical Psychology
- Community Health
- Dental
- Dietetics
- Family Advocacy
- Family Health
- Family Medicine
- Health Promotion
- Immunizations
- Internal Medicine
- Mental Health
- Occupational Health
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Pediatrics
- Physical Therapy
- Population Health (wellness)
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Substance Abuse
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Schedule appointments at (256) 955-8888, or toll free at 1-800-223-9531. Those who are not geographically located at Redstone Arsenal should call TRICARE to arrange coverage where they physically serve.
Child Care
As mentioned above, not all assigned to USAREC 2nd Medical Recruiting Battalion will be assigned in the same geographic location as the headquarters. Those who are not should visit MilitaryChildCare.com to get help finding care.
For those who will perform duty at Redstone Arsenal, child care is provided by two Child Development Centers. There may be waiting lists for care based on demand, age of the children requiring care, and other variables.
Full day and hourly care options are available for children ages five weeks to six years old; for the latest requirements, waiting list rules, or more information call CYS Parent Central Services at. 256-876-3704.
Household Goods
All inbound personnel should expect to track and manage their household goods shipments to Redstone Arsenal or elsewhere using the Defense Personal Property System. You can get local help via the Redstone Arsenal inbound TMO section at (256) 876-3916.
Dependent And Retiree ID Card Renewal, Replacement, New Issue
ID cards and related services are available Redstone Arsenal, but due to demand all personnel should make appointments for card services well in advance of expiration dates (up to 90 days) using the Redstone Arsenal RAPIDS appointment scheduling system.
Two forms of unexpired ID will be required and the military member may be required to be present for dependent ID card assistance. There are exceptions for those with the appropriate power of attorney or other paperwork specifically authorizing the services in the absence of the military member.
Schools
Those who physically serve at Redstone Arsenal and live on-post will send their children to Williams Elementary, Williams Technology Middle School or Columbia High School. These schools fall belong to the Huntsville City School System. Contact the Redstone Arsenal school liaison officer at 256-842-9642 for assistance with relocation and transfer to local schools.
Kindergarten through 12th grade students in Alabama are required by law to have a valid Social Security number and card. When registering for Alabama schools, parents are required to provide a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate for kindergarten. You may be required to provide a certificate of immunizations or certificate of exemption from immunization for all students transferring into the district.
Housing
Housing at Redstone Arsenal is privatized. Those in the Battalion who are assigned to physically serve at Headquarters have housing options that include over 350 family housing units and a waitlist that varies depending on rank, demand, and other factors.
According to the United States Army, “All permanent party personnel, accompanied by their families and assigned within the commuting area of Redstone Arsenal, are eligible for family housing”. Once you have orders make sure you fax them to 256-722-8799 to be added to the waiting list.
There is no unaccompanied housing on-post with the exception of a small number of units for E7s and above. Off-base housing is the option for all single/geographically separated service members.
PCS and TDY Lodging
Temporary lodging is available by making reservations via IHG Army Hotels at Redstone Arsenal by calling 256-924-7707.
All new arrivals, regardless of whether they are eligible for government quarters or not, and regardless of whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied, must report to the Housing Service Office or call 256-876-6666 (DSN 746-6666).
Transportation
Getting to the Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal is easier than some military bases, one of the closest airports is under 10 miles from the base. The nearest major airports to Redstone Arsenal are:
- Huntsville International Airport (7.9 miles)
- Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (54.9 miles)
- Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport (77.8 miles)
- Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (85.5 miles
The usual ride sharing and commercial taxi and shuttle services are available depending on time of arrival, demand, traffic, etc.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Active duty military and their family members arriving to Redstone Arsenal with valid vehicle registration from another state are not required to register their vehicles with the State of Alabama. If you are not on active duty, your deadline is 30 days after establishing residency to get vehicles registered. Vehicle tags and Alabama driver’s license are available on post via a Madison County satellite office at the installation.