US ARMY GARRISONS

USAG BAUMHOLDER

The Army's future in Baumholder remains a question mark, but there have been some encouraging predictions. Col. Raymond A. Thomas III, an assistant division commander for the 1st Armored Division, recently told a briefing session with families present: "Be prepared for enduring status here in Baumholder."

The USAG Baumholder is comprised of Baumholder proper, also known as Smith Barracks, plus the Wetzel Housing Area, in the town of Baumholder; Strassburg Kaserne (post), in the nearby city of Idar-Oberstein, and Neubrücke, a U.S. housing area near the city of Birkenfeld. For the professional soldier there is a full service local training area and the third largest major training area in Germany run by the German Army.

The USAG Baumholder and the city of Baumholder are centrally located in Europe with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Austria, Switzerland and the Bavarian Alps all within a few hours' drive. Baumholder has a full complement of facilities available to soldiers and families that include a modern post exchange and commissary and two state of the art military dining facilities.

For further information check Baumholder's website at www.baumholder.army.mil.

FACILITIES

Recreation

Baumholder boasts a campground, the nine-hole Rolling Hills Golf Course, four fitness centers, the only Army indoor pool in Germany and the full array of accredited child and youth services programs. There is basketball, softball, wrestling, tennis and more, and invitational tournaments are organized year round. The Rod and Gun Club provides excellent hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as bargain resale activities. The Fitness Center has a well-trained staff, convenient hours of operation, locker rooms and a full array of fitness equipment. The Outdoor Recreation Center organizes great trips and rents all sorts of equipment; camping gear, bikes, ski gear, sleds, coolers and tents.

Schools

The community has three elementary schools and a middle/high school for students in 7th through 12th grade. Pre-school and child care facilities are located in each of the three housing areas managed by USAG Baumholder. Local German schools generally only accept U.S. family members when one parent is German.

Chapels

Two Chapels offer services and religious education in numerous denominations. Your Chapel staff can provide information about them. There is a wide range of Bible study groups, classes and retreats offered by the program.

Health Services

An excellent outpatient clinic caters to the medical needs of the community and the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center is only a 20-minute drive from Baumholder. The Dental Clinic provides outstanding support to soldiers and on space available bases to family members.

Club

The Rheinlander offers fine dining, an assortment of snacks, live entertainment, excellent brunches, a karaoke bar, wide-screen television, video games, unit and group nights, bingo and live entertainment.

Shopping

The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) provides a full range of facilities, including a main exchange, military clothing sales, class six store, shoppette, beauty and barber shop, pick-up points, laundromats, movie theater and bookstore. Car rental is also available. The Baumholder Commissary has more than 7,000 shelf items, including U.S. brand-name products and many European specialties. plus 200 fresh products. There are also commissaries at Neubruecke and Idar-Oberstein.

Auto Craft Center

The Auto Craft Center at Smith Barracks can help you keep your car running, and Baumholder even has an auto parts yard.

Library

The Library provides invaluable, modern resources to students of all ages and levels, plus reference material, daily newspapers, videos, magazines and books on tape.

Arts and Crafts Center

The program at the Arts and Crafts Center includes framing, ceramics, photography and woodworking.

Baumholder Museum

The Baumholder Museum traces the history of the 1st Armored Division from its formation in 1940 until the present day. The museum grounds have a large historical vehicle park with tanks, artillery pieces and other equipment from the WWII period until the present day, including captured Iraqi vehicles from Operation Desert Storm. The museum also sponsors military modeling, wargaming, and historical reenactment events.

Family and Single Servicemember Support

Baumholder's outstanding family support network reaches out through the Army Community Service program to all members of the community with support and information to answer any of their questions or meet their family or personal needs. Morale, Welfare and Recreation services programs offer a wide variety of services - everything from a place to get a good workout to skiing vacations in Switzerland and Austria, or a trip to the Mediterranean. Youth Services operates a sports and fitness program throughout the garrison. The Single Servicemember Quality of Life program is designed to bring single personnel quality of life in line with their married counterparts. Billets afford single soldiers more living space, kitchens and other amenities. The Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers (BOSS) program in the garrison involves single soldiers in recreational travel and community help programs.

Transient Lodging

The Lagerhof Inn offers affordable and comfortable alternatives to local hotels and pensions.

AFN Hessen TV and EAGLE 106.1 Radio

AFN Hessen TV and EAGLE 106.1 Radio are powerful command information tools. They carry spots tailored to Baumholder, keeping those living in the area informed about upcoming events and activities.