Fort Sam Houston
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA)- Fort Sam Houston Relocation Information
Photo from Joint Base San Antonio
Welcome to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston!
Fort Sam Houston was originally designed to seek an aggressive peacekeeping policy along the U.S. — Mexican border. In 1886, Geronimo, Chief Natchez, and Apaches surrendered. The U.S. Army forces held them in the fort's Quadrangle complex for 40 days. Then, in 1898, the fort became a rendezvous point for Col. Leonard Wood and Lt. Col. Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, during the Spanish American War. In 1916, it supported Brig. Gen. John J. ‘Black Jack’ Pershing’s efforts against Pancho Villa. A new season at Fort Sam Houston began when it housed the Army Air Corps and the Airborne Infantry.
Throughout its history, the fort continued to expand. It’s adapted over the years, shifting its mission and focus but has not forgotten where it started. On post, you’ll find many historic buildings to include The Quadrangle, The Pershing House, the Staff Post Commander’s house, the Artillery Post and Calvary Post Barracks, and more.
The fort’s museum (more info below) is located within the Fort Sam Houston Quadrangle, a gorgeous grounds with its iconic centerpiece Clock Tower. You’ll see peafowl and deer roaming the grounds, and they’ve been part of the landscape for more than 130 years.
Photo from The Fort Sam Houston Museum
In 2005, the BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) Process made Fort Sam Houston a part of Joint Base San Antonio, and brought medical training for all branches of the military on one post. Joint Base San Antonio is a consolidation of Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB and Randolph AFB.
Fort Sam Houston now serves as command headquarters for U.S. Army North and South, the Army Medical Command, the Army Medical Department Center and School, and other tenant units. Home of the prestigious Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Fort Sam Houston has become the largest, most important military medical training facility in the world.
The San Antonio area is home to multiple military installations and the Air Force’s Basic Training.
Photo from Brooke Army Medical Center Facebook
San Antonio is commonly referred to as “Military City USA,” due not only to the presence of multiple area military installations, but also because of the large retiree population and the overall friendliness to military in the area. It’s the seventh largest city in the country, and it’s only growing.
The South Texas area is a vibrant location combining Old West, Hispanic, and modern day cultures. It’s often referred to as the home of the Alamo, but San Antonio is also a destination city featuring attractions like SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas.
With big city amenities like fine dining, museums, and professional sports (like the San Antonio Spurs), merged with the laid back lifestyle of the southern U.S., residents often come to embrace the area and understand why San Antonio is one of the top areas in the nation that military retirees choose to settle.
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Relocating to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston? Download our free guide to the area below!
Frequently Asked Questions About JBSA- Fort Sam Houston
1) Is Fort Sam Houston open to the public?
Those without a military ID, Department of Defense civilian or contractor ID, or previously issued and active base access passes, must enter JBSA- Fort Sam Houston through the visitor access gate and comply with requirements for entrance.
Visitors may be interested in visiting the Fort Sam Houston Museum. The fort's museum is located inside the Quadrangle. Maps and self-guided tour information are available at the Quadrangle at 1400 E. Grayson St. Non-military visitors must use the Walters Street entrance.
2) In what county is Fort Sam Houston located?
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is in Bexar County (pronounced “Bear”), Texas.
3) How many people are stationed at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston?
Fort Sam Houston is home to 36,976 active duty and DoD civilians, 48,415 Family Members, and 76,580 retirees.
4) How many gates does Fort Sam Houston have?
Remember that gates and hours change occasionally and it’s a good idea to check their website for updates. Here’s a list of the current Fort Sam Houston gates and hours:
- BAMC Beach Gate: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
- BAMC I-35 Commercial Gate: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- BAMC I-35: 24/7
- BAMC I-35 VCC: 24/7
- Harry Wurzbach East: 24/7
- Harry Wurzbach West: CLOSED
- Jadwin Commercial Gate: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- JBSA-Camp Bullis: 24/7
- New Braunfels Gate: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-8 a.m. (two lanes open for outbound only), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (inbound and outbound)
- Quadrangle Pedestrian Portal: 24/7 for CAC holders
- Quadrangle Pedestrian Gate: CLOSED unless portal is inoperative
- Schofield: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Walters Gate: 24/7
- Wilson Gate: CLOSED
- Winans Gate: Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.?
5) What is Fort Sam Houston’s zip code?
The zip code for Fort Sam Houston is 78234. Nearby zip codes include 78209, 78212, 78215, 78218, and 78233.
6) What is the BAH for Fort Sam Houston?
BAH for Fort Sam Houston ranges from $1,803 for E-1 to $2,220 for E-9 with dependents and $1,989 for O-1 to $2,523 for O-7 with dependents. See the housing section for more info.
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Base Location and Information
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Fort Sam Houston is located on the northeast side of San Antonio, Texas between I-35 and the Harry Wurzbach Parkway. It’s southeast of the San Antonio International Airport, and about 10 minutes away from the downtown area. Randolph AFB is northeast of the post by around 12 miles, and in between the two installations lie the towns of Kirby, Windcrest, and Converse. About 20 miles from Fort Sam Houston are the cities of Cibolo, Schertz, Universal City, and Live Oaks, TX.
The bases belonging to Joint Base San Antonio are in different sections of the city, which is the second largest city in Texas. Though now considered a combined base, and the largest one in the DOD at that, the installations of Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) are quite spread out across the city. Most residents continue to call them by their individual names. The Air Force is the lead agency for Joint Base San Antonio.
Downtown San Antonio is navigable by foot and also has a streetcar system that runs on several different routes. Public transportation is available via bus, the VIA Metropolitan Transit System. However, most area commuters travel by POV.
The area is crisscrossed by highways I-35, I-37, US Hwy 281 and I-10. As well, concentric highways that circle the city are often referred to as the “inner loop” I-410 and “outer loop” state highway 1604. Expect frequent construction as the city continues to spread outward as well as typical rush hour traffic.
Activities abound in the San Antonio area. Walk through history with a tour of the four area Spanish missions. Those, along with the Alamo, have been named a World Heritage Site.
Photo from Canva
Foodies can embrace cuisine from Tex-Mex to BBQ, as well as the local food truck scene. Attend productions at the Majestic Theater, view art at the Briscoe and McNay Art Museums, and cheer on local fan favorite NBA team, the Spurs.
A stroll along the iconic Riverwalk with a stop for margaritas and tacos or a hike on one of the area's nature trails, activities abound year-round are resident’s ideas of a good time. Spring’s famous Fiesta, a 10-day salute to Spanish heritage, is a city signature event, with schools closing so students can participate. With the famous Hill Country north of the city and beaches just a few hours away, not to mention the local area, residents of San Antonio don’t run out of things to do!
For military families who spending time outdoors, San Antonio offers an extended version of summer weather. It will be hot and humid, but there are plenty of ways to keep your cool. From Schlitterbahn Water Park to Schumacher Crossing swimming hole, San Antonio offers a pool of options to go for a swim. For the surf and sand of a beach, a couple of hours in the car lands you at Corpus Christi Bay and Padre Island National Seashore. For more inland adventures, consider a weekend getaway to eclectic Austin or historic Fredericksburg.
Within just a few hours’ drive lie other military bases:
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Arrival Lodging
Temporary Lodging is available for DoD Card Holders on Joint Base San Antonio through Air Force Inns and the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
Contact information for Fort Sam Houston:
Lodging is located at multiple locations.
JBSA- Fort Sam Houston Housing
Photo from Fort Sam Houston Family Housing
Military housing at Fort Sam Houston is privatized. Housing consists of a variety of home types within eight villages and is provided by Lincoln Military Housing .
Contact Info for Lincoln Military Housing- JBSA Fort Sam Houston
Address:
2739 Dickman B 407
San Antonio, Texas 78234
Phone:
(210) 270-7638
Military Housing Office, Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston
Address: 3171 Zinn Road, Bldg 116
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Phone: (210) 221-0881
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JBSA- Fort Sam Houston Off Base Housing
View homes for sale and houses for rent near Fort Sam Houston – Fort Sam Houston Homes
Photo from Canva
Even with the woes of freeway traffic, life in the suburbs may offer more home for less money in Texas. With no state income tax (and no tax placed on a military pension), investing in a home in the Lone Star state may be an idea worth considering, but one fact to note is that property taxes can be hefty.
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BAH Info
The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is a U.S. based allowance determined by geographic duty location, pay grade, and dependency status. It provides uniformed servicemembers compensation based on housing costs in local civilian housing markets when government quarters are not provided. Learn more about your Basic Allowance for Housing.
Fort Sam Houston is near San Antonio with many options to buy or rent. Some sample Fort Sam Houston BAH rates for zip code 78234:
- E-1 with dependents: $1,803
- E-1 without dependents: $1,353
- E-9 with dependents: $2,220
- E-9 without dependents: $2,055
- O-1 with dependents: $1,989
- O-1 without dependents: $1,644
- O-7 with dependents: $2,523
- O-7 without dependents: $2,184
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Area Weather & Climate
Photo from Canva
San Antonio is ideal for fans of warm weather. Mild year-round with a semi tropical climate, the “hot months” are typically May through September, with the wetter season from April to October. Jackets are necessary as there can be some cold days and even freezing weather during the winter months.
The area’s weather is affected by the Edwards Plateau to the northwest and the Gulf Coastal Plains to the southeast. Sunshine is the norm, with more than 60% of days clear or partly cloudy. Bluebonnet season in the spring, when the state flower dots the sides of roadways and fields, turns all the outdoors into a portrait studio. Thunderstorms are not uncommon in the late spring and summer, and the area has been known to have a rare sleet or ice storm during the winter months.
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JBSA- Fort Sam Houston Area Schools
Image from San Antonio Report
The San Antonio area is vast and diverse, and schooling choices in the area reflect that. The city’s public schools are administered by various San Antonio-area Independent School Districts. Learn more about these school districts, along with information about neighboring county and city school districts at the Bexar County website.
From the San Antonio ISD:
The San Antonio-area Independent School Districts serve 340,238 students. Extracurricular clubs for all skill levels and interests, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Magnets, Trades, Special Needs, Fine Arts and STEM are among the 173 academic and developmental choices that exist within the districts. View more info at San Antonio Go Public.
Photo from Canva
Fort Sam Houston Independent School District (ISD) serves children of military personnel residing on Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. Active duty military parents assigned to Fort Sam Houston, but who are not living on base, can apply for their children to enroll in the district as transfer students in grades Pre-K through 12th grade. FSHISD is one of three military school districts in Texas, all located in San Antonio, whose boundaries are within the military installation they serve: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland AFB, and Randolph AFB.
FSHISD has two campuses: Fort Sam Houston Elementary, grades PK-5, Robert G. Cole Middle School, grades 6-8, and Robert G. Cole High School, grades 9-12. The district enrollment is approximately 1500 students.
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston School Liaison Office (SLO), Program Manager: (210) 221-8782
For private schools in the surrounding area, visit Private School Review. Families interested in homeschooling should follow the Texas Education Agency. homeschool regulations.
More school links:
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Military and Family Support
Photo via JBSA News
Opportunities abound for connecting with the military spouse community, whether through the area spouses’ clubs or volunteering.
For job seekers, area employment is strong in the industries of construction, oil and gas production, and healthcare. Time at JBSA might provide the opportunity to network with other military spouses at a Military Spouse Symposium or the many other area events created for military family members.
Helpful links:
Things to Do Near Fort Sam Houston
Photo from Canva
JBSA Force Support Squadron (FSS): The JBSA FSS carries a calendar of events, Outdoor Recreation, and dining/entertainment.
The River Walk: The iconic 15-mile long River Walk is a beautiful spot to shop, dine, and stroll. Just below street level, it’s also the largest urban ecosystem in the U.S. In the downtown section, the King William District and the Alamo are walkable. Take a riverboat cruise for a quick drop off at a different section of the river or to simply enjoy a narrated cruise.
San Antonio Dining: Foodies rejoice! San Antonio has it all, whether you’re looking for BBQ, fine dining, an amazing steak, or an American eatery. And of course, in this area, the Mexican and Latin American food scene is like no other.
Downtown area attractions: Take one of the City Sightseeing Double Decker buses for hop on-hop off transportation. Their tours cover Alamo Plaza, The Pearl, Spanish Governor's Palace, Cathedral, Theater District, Tower of the Americas, Mexican Market Square, King William Historic District, and more.
A few other attractions you might want to visit include: The Guenther House, Ripley’s Believe it or Not!, The Witte Museum, The Buckhorn Saloon and Museum and Texas Ranger Museum, the Empire Theatre, Aztec Theatre, Briscoe Western Art Museum, McNay Art Museum, San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum, and of course, the historical Alamo.
San Antonio Missions and the Alamo: The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes the Mission San Jose, Mission Espada, Mission San Juan and Mission Concepcion. Along with the Alamo, the park was named the first World Heritage Site in Texas by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture (UNESCO). These five Catholic missions were established in the 18th century by Spanish priests. Today, the missions (walled compounds encompassing a church and buildings where the priests and local Native Americans lived) are the largest concentration of Spanish colonial missions in North America.
San Antonio Tours: There are all kinds of tours to help explore the city including bike tours, walking tours, helicopter tours, ghost tours, barwalks, and more.
Confluence Park: Open daily, the park is a gateway to hike, bike and paddling trails, which begins near the Blue Star Arts Complex and ends near Mission Espada.
Texas Hill Country: San Antonio is on the southern end of the Texas Hill Country. Visit Fredericksburg, Boerne, and New Braunfels for a taste of city/country life. Picturesque small towns combine with outdoor living for an unforgettable experience.
Japanese Tea Garden: Dating back to 1919, the Japanese Tea Garden features a lush year-round garden, shaded walkways, stone bridges, waterfall, and ponds filled with koi fish. The garden’s entrance features a moon gate created by a renowned Mexican artist. Free admission.
The Pearl: Located north of downtown, the Pearl (a former brewery) is now a mixed use space featuring dining, seasonal events, boutique shopping, green spaces, and an amphitheater. It’s also home to the third campus of the Culinary Institute of America.
Natural Bridge Caverns: Take a guided tour of the underground caverns and spectacular formations. Next, pan for gems at the Discovery Village Mining Company. Navigate through the outdoor maze and finish it off with one of the Canopy Challenge ropes course and zip lines. Fun for the whole family!
Sea World San Antonio: Family friendly interactive shows and exhibits, an immersive water park and marine life encounters! Located in northwest San Antonio.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas: San Antonio’s largest, most popular theme park. Situated in the center of a retail, restaurant and entertainment district, Six Flags Fiesta Texas offers roller coasters, park rides, live entertainment, food, beverages and more.
Outdoor activities in the San Antonio area:
Lost Maples State Natural Area image via Texas.gov
Tubing: Summertime finds San Antonians on the water, and ‘tubing’ (floating down one of the area rivers) is a popular way of enjoying the water. Rent tubes, canoes, and river rafts to float down the Guadalupe, San Marcos, Comal and Frio Rivers. Most vendors also provide shuttles to return floaters to their vehicles.
Canyon Lake: One of the most picturesque area locations, this 8,230-acre lake is one of the most scenic lakes in Texas. It has eight public parks with camping, fishing, swimming, scuba diving, picnicking, wildlife viewing, boating and other water sports. JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake is available year-round for military members and families.
Hiking: Explore locations like Government Canyon State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area (especially in autumn), Pedernales Falls State Park, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Find miles of hiking and biking trails, guided hikes, and rock climbing.
San Antonio Events:
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Photo from Fiesta San Antonio
The area always has something going on, but here are a couple of the annual popular events in the San Antonio area!
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo: Every year, 1.5 million visitors come to the Stock Show & Rodeo. Since 1949, it’s one of the largest San Antonio annual events. Attend the carnival and then the Charreada, a unique blend of Mexican and Western culture.
Fiesta San Antonio: Start planning your Fiesta schedule now! Even schools close for this yearly event. Attend one of the parades: Battle of Flowers, Fiesta Flambeau (the largest night parade in the country), and the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Then attend a food event and watch local entertainment. Fiesta started in 1891 as a way to honor the heroes from the Battle of the Alamo. It is now the city’s largest party! ¡Viva Fiesta!
Easy day trips from San Antonio include:
- Austin
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Fredericksburg (Hill Country)
- Corpus Christi
- Houston
More Area Info
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Base Address:
Fort Sam Houston Joint Base San Antonio
Fort Sam Houston
,
78234-5001