ROTC Cadets attending the Leader’s Training Course see only a small part of the day-to-day life at Fort Knox, which is perhaps best known as the home of armor and cavalry for the U.S. Army.
Fort Knox has as its primary mission the task of training Soldiers to drive, fire and maintain the Army’s armored vehicles.
The thundering sound of main gun tank firing on distant ranges is a frequent reminder of this critical mission.
But the post is much more than barracks, training areas and tank ranges.
Fort Knox is a community designed to meet the unique needs of its residents, including single and married Soldiers.
On any given workday, almost 33,000 Soldiers, civilian employees and Soldiers’ families live and work at Fort Knox, making it the sixth largest urban community in Kentucky. To house its residents, Fort Knox has more than 3,400 sets of quarters for married Soldiers, ranging from the spacious residence of the post’s commanding general to townhouses and duplexes.
A married second lieutenant is eligible for housing on post. They would be assigned a two- or three-bedroom unit, depending on the size of his or her family. A single lieutenant is eligible for efficiency-style apartments. When quarters on post are unavailable, Soldiers eligible for housing are given quarters allowance to help offset the cost of housing in surrounding civilian communities.
Fort Knox also has its own school system for approximately 4,000 children from kindergarten through high school. The post’s five elementary schools, middle school and high school are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offer a variety of programs, including special education for disabled and talented and gifted students.
Health care is essential to any community, and Fort Knox is no exception. The post is a leader in the community in providing care for both active and retirees.
Recreational activities are also available for Soldiers and their families. Swimming pools, bowling centers, golf courses, gymnasiums and fitness centers are just a few ways to pass the time.
Although the tank is a powerful symbol of Fort Knox, many people associate the post with gold. The U.S. Bullion Depository, or gold vault, is here and is operated by the U.S. Treasury Department. Clearly visible from U.S. 31W, the white building is strictly off-limits.
