USAG Kaiserslautern
The Kaiserslautern area, which includes the US Army Garrison Kaiserslautern on Pulaski Barracks and some smaller Army installations is also home to two Air Force bases at Ramstein and Sembach. (There are reports that Sembach, too, will become an Army base.) USAG Kaiserslautern is the largest American military community outside the United States with more than 50,000 US citizens and is slated to become even more important under current transition plans. It is slated to be the logistics hub, and one of just four main operating areas left in USAREUR after the plans are completed.
As such it has, and will continue to have, virtually every facility imaginable. U.S. Army facilities located there include the Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) and the European Headquarters of the Defense Commissary Agency. The European Stars and Stripes also recently moved there from Darmstadt. The Vogelweh Housing Area, sometimes known as "KMC West," is the center of Army activities in the area. It accommodates more than 10,000 soldiers and their family members with housing, schools, the commissary, dental clinic, a community center, Military Police and several all rank clubs.
The American military is an important industry in the area. There was little reconstruction and a slow economy following World War II. Then, in 1952, the Americans moved in. This brought money to the area. Since then the city has been almost totally rebuilt. The towering modern city hall (Rathaus) was built from 1964-1968. Kaiserslautern annexed several surrounding villages in 1969 and now its population is approximately 100,000. It prides itself on having one of Germany's major league soccer teams.
For further information check the website at www.kaiserslautern.army.mil.
FACILITIES
Sports and Recreation
Sports and Recreation. The Fitness Center has a well-trained staff, convenient hours of operation, locker rooms and a full array of fitness equipment. The Rod and Gun Club provides excellent German hunting and fishing opportunities, as well as bargain resale activities. Ranges accommodate rifle and pistol shooters and archery enthusiasts. Outdoor Recreation offers economical ski trips and packages to ski resorts in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in southern Bavaria. The modern bowling center offers multiple-lane facilities, pro shops, snack bars, game rooms and conference rooms. The worldwide United Service Organization (USO) sells tickets to concerts and other special events in and around Germany.
Clubs
The Kazabra, Armstrong and Landstuhl Clubs offer fine dining, an assortment of snacks, live entertainment, excellent brunches, karaoke bars, wide-screen televisions, unit and group nights, plus many other programs and activities.
Health Services
One of USAREUR's premier medical facilities, the Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center is in USAG Kaiserslautern. It recently opened a Women's Health Care Center that is the primary health facility for women on the Kaiserslautern area. Patient liaison officers are available to assist people who may need special services available only at local German facilities. Dental facilities in the USAG provide general dentistry and specialty treatment to authorized individuals, Veterinary Services include animal disease prevention and control, issuance of health certificates and vaccinations.
Schools
There are no fewer than 10 schools in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, making it the largest American school system outside the Continental United States. The schools are Ramstein Elementary School (K-3), Ramstein Intermediate School (4-5), Ramstein Middle School (6-8), Ramstein High School (9-12), Vogelweh Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Middle School (6-8), Kaiserslautern High School (9-12), Sembach Elementary (K-3), Sembach Middle (4-8) and Landstuhl Elementary (K-5).
Community Services
The Army Community Service (ACS) center offers various programs and services for soldiers, civilians and 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
There are no fewer than 10 chapels in the Kaiserslautern Military Community, at Daenner, Landstuhl, Miesau, Vogelweh, Ramstein, Sembach, Pulaski and Kapaun. They offer not only Catholic and Protestant services, but also Eastern Orthodox, Jewish, Islamic, Seventh Day Adventists and Assemblies of God.
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.
PX
The Kaiserslautern area has the most extensive military shopping facilities outside of the USA. The two main complexes, each open seven days a week, are at Ramstein and Vogelweh. They pale, however, in comparison to Mega Community Center, a retail and entertainment center now under construction at Ramstein and slated to offer state-of-the-art shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Commissaries
The Defense Commissary Agency Europe (DeCA) is headquartered at Kapaun Air Station in Kaiserslautern, and two of the biggest commissaries under its control are at Ramstein and Vogelweh. Both stores are seven-day operations with ample shopping space and numerous checkouts, including four self-checkouts.
Libraries
The Libraries at Kleber, Landstuhl and Miesau have fiction and nonfiction book selections, reference materials, travel guides, videos, educational resources, children's books, magazines and computers with internet access.
Transient Lodging
The guesthouses at Kaiserslautern and Landstuhl offer affordable and comfortable alternatives to local hotels and pensions.
Army Post Offices (APOs)
The Army Post Offices (APOs) at Kapaun and Daenner are full-service facilities, providing parcel service and transport of all classes of mail from priority to express. They also transport mail for free from APO to APO when "MPS" is written in the upper right corner of envelopes and packages.
Banking
The Community Banks offers full service banking. Automatic teller machines (ATMs) are there 24/7 for deposits and withdrawals from both checking and savings accounts.
Auto Craft Shop
The Auto Craft Shop offers assistance in performing automotive maintenance and repair. Equipment, tools and trained mechanics make everything, from charging a battery to major overhauls, possible at great cost savings.
Music and Theater
The Playhouses at Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl and Miesau produce live plays and musicals, and stage concerts and talent contests, offering an outlet for the skills of actors/actresses and technicians.