Fort Knox

Establishment:1918
Base Type: Army

About

Fort Knox is an Army installation just south of Louisville, Kentucky, and just north of Elizabethtown. It boasts a population of 40,000 soldiers, family members and civilian employees — and that’s not surprising, given that it covers three counties (Bullitt, Hardin and Meade) and 109,000 acres. This large community is known as Army’s “Gold Standard” and the Human Resource Center of Excellence; its primary duties include recruiting, training and supporting soldiers throughout their careers in the U.S. Army. The U.S. Bullion Depository — which holds over half of our federal gold reserves — is located in a building adjacent to Fort Knox, and even though it’s controlled by the Department of the Treasury it’s still sometimes thought of as part of the Army post.

The main commands/units stationed at Fort Knox include: First Army Division East, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, 1st Sustainment Command, 902nd Military Intelligence Group, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, 100th Infantry Division, Army Reserve Aviation Command, and 84th Division. Fort Knox also hosts the Ireland Army Community Hospital, the George S. Patton Museum and Center of Leadership, and was the long-time home of the U.S. Army Armor School before it was relocated under a different name to Fort Benning.

This Kentucky base is named after U.S. Secretary of War Henry Knox, who also happened to be the chief of artillery in the Revolutionary War. But Fort Knox itself didn’t crop up until the time of the Civil War, when the area was fought over by Confederate and Union Forces. Training maneuvers occurred here until 1918, when an official camp was built and additional land purchased. In 1931, it was decided that “Camp Knox” would be the home of the Mechanized Cavalry to support all measures of mechanized warfare. To support this cavalry, housing and other centers were constructed on Knox by Captain John A. Gilman, who also supervised the construction of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Throughout World War II it was used as training grounds for soldiers, and Godman Army Airfield (on Knox) was used to train pilots in the Army Air Corps (and later the Air Force). Knox was actually an important site during this time, as the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence and the Gettysburg Address were stored for safekeeping at the Bullion Depository.

After the war, a six-month project called the Universal Military Training Experimental Unit was hosted at Knox. It was an insight into basic military training; basically, they wanted to see if providing an emphasis on physical, mental and spiritual well-being during boot camp increased the effectiveness of 18- to 20-year-old Army recruits. It was intended to support President Truman’s proposal for all eligible American men to undergo military training. Obviously, the proposal was unsuccessful.

Fort Knox has an unfortunate history of shooting deaths. In 1993, a civilian employee named Arthur Hill shot and killed four people, including himself, at Fort Knox’s Training Support Center. He also wounded two people. There were signs prior to the shooting that Hill was mentally unstable. There was another shooting in 2013, wherein a civilian employee of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command was shot and killed in a parking lot; Sgt. Marquinta E. Jacobs plead guilty to the homicide and was sentenced to 30 years of prison time.

Because of its size, Fort Knox is actually a certified Kentucky City, and is the sixth-largest urban community in the Commonwealth. As it’s also in three separate counties, there’s no end to the activities in the area. The housing on post is located at Knox Hills, which offers two-, three-, and four-bedroom housing plans that include townhomes, duplexes and single family houses. Temporary lodging is available at IHG Army Hotels, which can be reached at 502-943-1000. There are also plenty of hotels and motels off base that offer military discounts. Several schools are located on post for Knox residents, and a whole host of schools are available in the surrounding counties of Bullitt, Hardin and Meade.

If you’re PCSing to Fort Knox or have a loved one stationed there, be assured: It’s a trusted resource for Army personnel for a reason. It has a wealth of history, resources and support from military families just like you.

Gate and Hours

Chaffee ACP
Open 24/7 7 days a week. Located on 31 North/South on Bullion Blvd Exit.

Wilson ACP
Mon-Fri 6:00 AM- 8:00 PM. Closed on Federal Holidays  Located on Wilson Rd. Adjacent to Knox BLVD. Wilson ACP is open for DOD Identification cards (CAC,
Retire and Dependent), as well as any person who has registered in AIE and has an AIE Pass. Personnel
with passengers with a driver’s’ License will be directed to Chaffee APC for processing.

Brandenburg ACP
Mon-Fri 6:00 AM- 1:00 PM. Closed on Federal Holidays/Training Holidays Located on Highway 31 North/South adjacent to Brandenburg Station Rd, near Muldraugh, Kentucky. Brandenburg ACP is dedicated for DOD Identification cards (CAC, Retire and Dependent), Commercial Deliveries and any person who has registered in AIE and has an AIE Pass. Personnel with passengers with a driver’s License will be directed to Chaffee APC for processing.

Commercial & Military Vehicles All Commercial and Ammunition/ Explosives vehicles will use Brandenburg ACP from 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM. After 1:00 PM Wilson and Chaffee gate can be used for Commercial Vehicles. After 8:00 PM, Chaffee APC will the primary entrance for all Commercial and Delivery vehicles. The passage of convoys of 50 vehicles or more, Ammunition/Explosives Cargo and oversized vehicles may be coordinated in advance through the Physical Security Section, Directorate of Emergency Services at (502)624-8471/1713/4788. If access is required after operating hours, call the Military Police at (502)624-2111/2112.

Quick Reference

Chapel Office
226 South 8th Armored Division Drive Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-5255

Cantigny Dining Facility
Hell On Wheels Div Rd Fort Knox, KY 40121

Education Center
31 Warehouse Street Bldg 65 Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-4121

Equal Opportunity Office
Pike Hall Bldg 1310 Suite 132 Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-4583

Family Advocacy
1477 Eisenhower Avenue
502-624-8391

Readiness Group
175 N Tornado Division Road Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-4511

Public Affairs
125 6th Avenue Building 110-B, Room 226 Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-4985

Fire Division
Old Ironsides Ave, Bldg 469 Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-6016

Finance Office
25W Chaffee Ave Building #1384 Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-8604

Housing Office
669 Hell On Wheels Ave Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-8093

Legal Assistance
50 Third Ave Fort Knox, KY 40121
502-624-2771

Base Surroundings

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Address: 800 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 877-775-8443

Kentucky Kingdom
Address: 937 Phillips Ln, Louisville, KY 40209
Phone: 502-813-8200

Kentucky Derby Museum
Address: 704 Central Ave, Louisville, KY 40208
Phone: 502-637-1111

Belle of Louisville
Address: 401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502-574-2992

Muhammad Ali Center
Address: 144 N 6th St, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502-584-9254

Louisville Zoo
Address: 1100 Trevilian Way, Louisville, KY 40213
Phone: 502-459-2181

Speed Art Museum
Address: 2053 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40208
Phone: 502-634-2700

Proof on Main
Address: 702 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Phone: 502-217-6360

Jack Frys
Address: 1007 Bardstown Rd, Louisville, KY 40204
Phone: 502452-9244

Mayan Café
Address: 813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: 502-566-0651

Jefferson Mall
Address: 4801 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40219
Phone: 502-968-4103

Medical Care

“Tricare Numbers
Nurse Advice Hotline TRICARE: (800) 874-2273 Opt 1
Primary Care Appointments: (800) 600-9332
TRICARE for Life: (866) 773-0404

Tricare partners with United Healthcare Military & Veterans as its regional contractor in the Western United States to provide health care services and support to beneficiaries.

Home TRICARE:
https://www.tricare.mil

Tricare Home Page allows access to Enroll in or Purchase a Plan, File or Check a Claim, View Referrals, Find a Health Care Provider, Change Your Primary Care Manager, Compare Plans, Manage Prescriptions and much more.

Nurse Advice Line TRICARE: (800) 874-2273 Opt 1.

The Nurse Advice Line is available to all TRICARE beneficiaries in the U.S., except those enrolled in US Family Health Plan. You can call the Nurse Advice Line 24/7, at no cost to you, to talk to a registered nurse who can: Answer your urgent care questions.

New to TRICARE:
https://www.tricare.mil/Plans/New

Learn more about TRICARE- Watch an overview video & take free public TRICARE courses online.

TRICARE Online:
https://www.tricareonline.com/

You can make Primary Care appointments, check lab results and even order your pharmacy refills using TOL, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Contact: (800) 600-9332

TRICARE For Life:
https://www.tricare.mil/tfl
Contact- (866) 773-0404

TRICARE for Life is your Medicare-wraparound coverage for TRICARE-eligible beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A and B. TRICARE for Life beneficiaries can receive care at military hospitals and clinics, but only on a space-available basis.

TRICARE Pharmacy Program:
https://www.tricare.mil/pharmacy

The TRICARE Pharmacy Program provides the prescription drugs you need, when you need them, in a safe, easy, and affordable way.

Customer Service Community Directory:
https://www.tricare.mil/bcacdcao/

The directory helps you connect with a Beneficiary Counseling and Assistance Coordinator (BCAC), Debt Collection Assistance Officer (DCAO), or other member of the customer service community. If you have questions or issues specific to a single clinic or hospital, contact someone listed for that facility.

You may contact any customer service community representative for general TRICARE issues.

Must be registered in the DEERS program to be eligible for TRICARE
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System:
https://www.tricare.mil/deers”