Like the State of Texas, Fort Hood is big and boasts of being the largest active duty armored post in the United States Armed Services. Fort Hood is nicknamed "The Great Place" because of the quality of life the post and area offer Soldiers and their Families. These qualities are important, especially with home-basing initiatives, frequent deployments and Family stability and support.

Soldiers living in the Fort Hood area can expect to have one of the highest quality of life standards in the Army. New housing, quality medical care, thriving communities, recreation and schools combine to ensure that Fort Hood is The Great Place.

Fort Hood covers a total of 339-square miles and supports multiple units, a corps headquarters and a robust mobilization mission.

A GREAT LOCATION
Fort Hood rests in the beautiful "hill and lake" country of Central Texas between Killeen and Copperas Cove and is approximately 60 miles north of the capital city of Austin and 50 miles south of Waco.

Fort Hood is fortunate to have the growing cities of Killeen and Copperas Cove as neighbors. These cities include new and affordable housing areas, shopping centers, recreational facilities and good restaurants.

The major access highway to Fort Hood's principal cantonment area and West Fort Hood is U.S. Highway 190, which provides four-lane controlled access to the post from Interstate Highway 35, the main North-South route through Central Texas. At a convenient distance from the post are two man-made reservoirs. Belton and Stillhouse Hollow lakes provide an enjoyable recreational outlet for Fort Hood Soldiers and their Families. ?ere are 127 ponds on the reservation, all suitable for fishing.

AREA TRANSPORTATION
HOP, public busses running through Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Nolanville, operate Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost of the ride is $1.

DEERS ENROLLMENT
The Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) is a worldwide database of active duty, Family members and retirees and their Family members.

It is used to:
• Verify eligibility for the Uniformed Services benefits (such as health care).
• Automatically enroll active duty and retirees for benefits.
• Register Family members and legal dependents for benefits (sponsors must show proof of eligibility and dependent parents must meet legal criteria).
• Update information when events (promotion, marriage, divorce, births, deaths, etc.) affect benefits.
• Register children of dual military parents and dependent children under age who must have ID cards (All children must be enrolled in DEERS to verify eligibility for medical care).

To add, update or change DEERS information:
• Active duty and their Family members-see your Personnel Actions Center.
• Retirees and their Family members-Contact the ID Card Section, Copeland Soldier Service Center, Building 18010.
• To verify DEERS enrollment, call (800) 538-9552.

IN-PROCESSING
Upon arrival at Building 18010, you will furnish the information desk with five copies of your orders, leave form, military personnel file, medical and dental records. CW5s, lieutenant colonels and colonels with pinpoint assignments should still report to Building 18010.

During in-processing, Soldiers—private through major—will follow schedules for mandatory events. Actual in-processing lasts approximately three working days.

After reporting in, Soldiers who are colonels, lieutenant colonels, CW5s, sergeants major and master sergeants (P) will be directed to the Office Personnel Management Division (OPMD) located in III Corps Headquarters, Building 1001, Room 126 for further assignment processing. Master sergeants (P) and sergeants major are directed to III Corps headquarters for further assignment processing.

All other officers, NCOs and enlisted Soldiers will be processed through the Copeland Soldier Service Center.

After signing in, you will be directed or transported to the Fort Hood Replacement Detachment, Building 16011, off of Battalion Avenue or transient quarters for sleeping accommodations and directions for the next day.

You will need several copies of your orders to update your military records, insurance, emergency data card and change of address card. Your ID card will be checked and a new one issued, if necessary. Medical and dental specialists will screen your records for special considerations and immunization needs. Your unit will provide the name and location of the appropriate medical clinic for you to visit.

Children: Free hourly childcare for all ranks is available at the Fort Hood Child Development Center while you in-process. An added bonus of being stationed at Fort Hood: E-1s through E-4s get 10-20 hours of free hourly childcare per month at the Child Development Centers and FCC homes. For details and locations, call (254) 287-8029 or DSN 737-8029.

Local banking representatives will be available in Buildings 18010 and 16008 for any Soldier who wishes to open an account. A list of area financial institutions will also be made available.

Army Community Service staff members provide welcome packets, one-on-one counseling, access to the ACS Loan Closet, as well as the Office of Citizenship and Immigration information for Family members. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The housing staff, located on the second floor of Copeland, Building 18010, will provide a complete list of available off-post housing. Those eligible may be placed on a list for on-post housing at this time.

Once you get settled in your unit, or have obtained housing, you must notify the Transportation Office. Household goods and hold baggage will be delivered by appointment and you will need a copy of your inventory sheet completed by the carrier at your last location.

Emergency care is always available at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center.

Family dental care is not provided by the Army at Fort Hood. Family member dental emergencies may be treated at the dental clinic servicing the sponsor. Soldiers are encouraged to enroll their Family members in the TRICARE Dental Program.

PHONE CALLS
Fort Hood is serviced by area code 254. ?ere are several DSN prefixes on post. ?e DSN prefix corresponds to the commercial numbers assigned. For example, the commercial number (254) 287-4003, would be dialed DSN like: 737-4003.

Prefixes and their corresponding DSNs are:
285= DSN 663
286= DSN 566
287= DSN 737
288= DSN 738
618= DSN 259
553= DSN 663

Questions about coming to Fort Hood can be answered by the Copeland Soldier Service Center at (254) 287-3832 or DSN 737-7486.

REPORTING IN
Soldiers assigned to Fort Hood should report directly to Copeland Soldier Service Center, Building 18010, on the corner of T. J. Mills Road and Battalion Avenue. Copeland is open 24 hours daily.

Airport Arrivals
If you arrive at the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Airport, ground transportation is available to the post. If you need help at the airport, contact the liaison NCO located in the baggage claim area.

Arrival by Bus
If arriving by bus at the Killeen Bus Terminal, there are taxis which will transport you for a small fare. Direct phones are located in the terminal. Rail service is not available to Killeen. ?e closest passenger station is in Temple, about 25 miles to the East. Taxi and bus service is available for transportation to Fort Hood for a fare.

Arrival by Vehicle
If you are driving a vehicle without a DoD vehicle registration sticker, you need to enter Fort Hood through the Beck Main Gate. Temporary passes are available at the Marvin Leath Visitor's Center, located just before the gate. A state registration document for the vehicle, a valid state driver's license and proof of insurance will be required to drive on the installation.

The Marvin Leath Visitor's Center hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. After hours, Military ID card holders who do not have a pass or DoD decal will go to the gate and show military ID to gain access. Civilian visitors without a military ID card will go to gate and show the guard a driver's license, current insurance card and provide purpose of their visit to Fort Hood.

Directions to the Copeland Soldier Service Center
Copeland is located in Building 18010. The telephone number is (254) 287-3832 (DSN 737-7486). This office is open 24 hours, seven days per week. After coming through the Beck Main Gate, continue north on T.J. Mills Boulevard through four traffic lights. The Copeland Soldier Service Center will be located immediately on your left.

Uniforms
Soldiers wear ACU or other authorized uniform while in-processing. After duty hours, you may report in civilian clothing.

MORE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Driving
The Legal Limit in Texas is .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Texas also has a zero tolerance law. For anyone under 21, it is illegal to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol. Seat Belts-use is mandatory both on post and in the state of Texas.

Soldiers must wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle on-and-off post.

A Soldier who does not have a state-issued driver's license can obtain one from Texas. Requirements and information on obtaining a Texas driving license can be found on www.dot.state.tx.us.

Using a cell phone without a hands-free device is prohibited on post.

Pets
All dogs and cats, four months of age and older, must be registered with the veterinary facility within five working days of arrival and annually thereafter. Pit Bulls are not permitted on post.

Vehicle Regulations
Active duty military do not have to obtain Texas driver's licenses. Family members must obtain one within 30 days.

Soldiers and Family members can obtain their driver's licenses at the Leath Visitors Center or at the Bell County Annex at 301 and 302 Priest Drive in Killeen.

Three forms of identification are needed for a Texas driver's license or Texas identification card. Active duty military will only need their military identification card.

In Copperas Cove, the facility is in the Coryell County Annex at 201 S. Second St.

Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the purchase price of the vehicle titled in Texas and owned by Texas residents. New residents pay $90.00.

Insurance
Regardless of status or home of record, the state requires vehicles to have Texas minimum liability insurance of $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. These amounts were increased to their current level on April 1, 2008. Drivers have 30 days after moving to Texas to change their vehicle insurance coverage.