US ARMY GARRISONS

USAG Brussels

U.S. Army Garrison Brussels supports 2,700 Department of Defense and Department of State personnel and their families stationed in Brussels. All branches of the U.S. military and several other U.S. government agencies are supported by USAG Brussels, making the garrison truly a joint and interagency community that is a five-minute drive from NATO headquarters.

USAG Brussels has the mission of providing assistance to the U.S. representation at NATO's Brussels headquarters. USAG Brussels provides support services similar to those at larger military installations, although its small compound is quite unlike any U.S. military "post" or "base" in the accepted meaning of the term.

Other facilities at USAG Brussels include a Post Office, Barber Shop, Consignment Shop, a Transportation Division, a Housing Office, SATO Travel, Military Police, a Chapel, an engineering team, an Education Center, Finance Office, Andrews Federal Credit Union and an Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) Shoppette and Food Court.

In addition to U.S. personnel stationed at NATO HQ, USAG Brussels supports the Brussels American School, the Defense Attaché office at the U.S. Embassy, the Defense Contract Management Command, Detachment 6 Air Postal Squadron, the Office of Defense Cooperation and the Canadian Delegation to NATO.

Brussels, located 220 miles from Paris and 150 miles from Amsterdam, is a truly cosmopolitan city. Besides hosting NATO's political headquarters and being the capital of the Kingdom of Belgium, it is also the seat of both the European Commission and the European Parliament, making it literally the "Capital of Europe." The diversity of activities is unlimited. USAG Brussels, only a short distance from the historic city center or "Grand Place," serves as a convenient U.S. community center.

For further information check their website at www.usagbrussels.eur.army.mil.

FACILITIES

Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)

The facilities include the Three-Star Lounge, an Arts and Crafts Shop, an Auto Shop, an excellent Fitness Center, a Youth Center, a Library, an Outdoor Recreation department and Army Community Services (ACS).

Health Services

The Brussels United States Army health clinic is an outpatient facility providing high quality primary and limited specialty health care. Serious cases are referred to local Belgian hospitals or the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The dental clinic provides general dentistry and specialty treatment to authorized individuals. Veterinary Services include animal disease prevention and control, issuance of health certificates and vaccinations.

Club

The Three Star Lounge periodically offers live entertainment, a bar, wide-screen televisions, unit and group nights, plus many other programs and activities. It is normally open two to three nights a week.

Schools

The Brussels American School (K-12), with about 315 students, is just outside the city center about a mile and a half from the USAG Brussels compound. The elementary and middle school grades are housed in one building and the high school classes in another. The European Capital also hosts several British, International and other English-speaking private schools.

Community Services

The Army Community Service (ACS) center offers various programs and services for soldiers, other U.S. military, civilians and their family members; parent education classes, financial maintenance classes, relocation information and support, mobilization and deployment support, employment services, Army Emergency Relief (AER) and volunteer programs. Child Development Services provides full service, center-based child care, the Family Child Care (FCC) program, the School Age Services (SAS) program and respite child care for service members in pay grade E-4 and below. Youth Services operates a sports and fitness program for organized seasonal sports. Volunteers are an integral part of every community. Volunteer experience offers great potential for self-fulfillment and may also be reflected on resumes for future job employment.

Religious Activities

Protestant services are held at the USAG Brussels American Chapel. There are a number of English-speaking churches (Roman Catholic, Anglican, Episcopalian, Baptist) in the Brussels area. The International School of Brussels has a Protestant chapel that many Americans attend.

Scouting

There are active scouting programs for both boys and girls. They advertise and recruit members through the schools, libraries, youth activity centers, media and various other institutions.

Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers (BOSS)

This program is designed to bring single members' quality of life in line with their married counterparts. Billets afford them more living space so they may decorate to their own tastes and include amenities such as floor kitchenettes, private facilities, fitness equipment and government furnishings. It also involves single personnel in recreational travel and community help programs.

Shopping

There is an AAFES Shoppette, Food Court and barber shop, but no major Post Exchange (PX), commissary or other support facilities in Brussels. These are, however, available at Chièvres Air Base near SHAPE headquarters and in Schinnen, the Netherlands.

Library

The USAG Brussels Library offers the American community a modernized library with services normally associated with public libraries in the United States: the latest and best in books, magazines and audiovisual materials; wide-ranging collections and programs for all ages and interest groups; reference, research and information assistance, and access to Internet and other online reference resources.

Housing

USAG Brussels has no designated housing area. Community members are housed in rentals on the economy. There is a housing referral office to assist in locating and leasing suitable housing on the economy.

Air Post Office (APO)

The Air Post Office (APO) is in the process of conversion to become an Army Post Office (also APO). It is a full-service facility, providing parcel service and transport of all classes of mail from priority to express. It also transports mail for free from APO to APO when "MPS" is written in the upper right corner of envelopes and packages. Conversion from USAF to U.S. Army operation will be transparent to patrons.

Banking

There is a branch of the Andrews Federal Credit Union, and automatic teller machines (ATMs) offering 24-hour service for deposits and withdrawals.