ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
ARMY
Rock Island, IL
United States
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
ARMY
Rock Island, IL
United States
Rock Island Arsenal
Base Essentials
The Army's largest government-owned manufacturing arsenal — 946 acres on Arsenal Island in the Mississippi River between Davenport, IA, and Rock Island, IL. A civilian-heavy weapons production and repair installation dating to 1862 with about 4,000 workers.
Base Details
Type
Army Post
Branch
ARMY
Command
AMC
Status
Active
Est.
1862
Acres
869
Active Duty
—
Civilian
4,000
Population
385,000
Economic Impact
$800 million
Rock Island Arsenal History
Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois was established in 1862 on an island in the Mississippi River and is the largest government-owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the United States. During the Civil War it also served as a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp. Today the arsenal manufactures and rebuilds military equipment and is home to the U.S. Army Sustainment Command and the First Army Division West headquarters. Rock Island Arsenal continues its manufacturing mission while also serving as a major Army command and logistics headquarters.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
Army Sustainment Command
—
—
First Army Division West
—
—
Rock Island Arsenal Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center
—
—
Historic Timeline
Timeline events coming soon
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Rock Island Arsenal.
Rock Island Arsenal Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Rock Island Arsenal.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Visitor Access
What you need to know to get on Rock Island Arsenal.
REAL ID Required
Visitor Pass Required
Trusted Traveler Active
How are you entering the base?
I have a DoD ID / CAC
Active duty, civilian employee, retiree, or dependent.
I'm visiting someone
Sponsored visit — a DoD ID holder will vouch for you.
I need a day pass
No sponsor — process through the Visitor Control Center.
Commercial / Delivery
Truck drivers, contractors, and vendors.
Quick summary
Visitors need a pass from the Visitor Welcome Center (outside Moline Gate) and must present a valid REAL ID or U.S. Passport. All first-time visitors require a favorable criminal background check; those without REAL ID-compliant documents may present secondary identification to gain access.
Confirmed May 21, 2026
· Sources: official .mil sites, MilitaryOneSource, base guide
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Rock Island Arsenal.
PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Rock Island Arsenal.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
Visitor Welcome Center
Phone
(309) 782-1337In-Processing
Report to the Military Personnel Division (S1) at Building 56, 1st Floor. Phone: (309) 782-1526. Hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, and Fri 0800–1600; Tue 0800–1200 (lunch closure 1200–1230). The MPD handles ID card/DEERS enrollment, reassignments, and all in-processing actions.
For after-hours arrivals, the Moline Gate is open 24/7. The Housing Services Office is at Building 104, Room 117B, (309) 782-0605, Mon–Fri 0700–1600, and assists with temporary lodging, on-base family housing, unaccompanied housing, and off-base referrals.
Army Community Service (ACS) is at Building 110, 1st Floor, 3438 Rodman Avenue, (309) 782-0829. Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri 0730–1600; Wed 1200–1600. ACS provides relocation readiness assistance, financial readiness programs, and family services for newcomers.
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Rock Island Arsenal.
On-Base Housing
Coming soon
2026 BAH Calculator
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Cost of Living Around Rock Island Arsenal
82
18% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Rock Island Arsenal.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
2
Other Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Rock Island, IL
Suburban
Commute: 5-10 min
Schools: Rock Island-Milan School District 41
Quad Cities downtown on the Illinois side, directly across the bridge from the arsenal.
Moline, IL
Suburban
Commute: 5-10 min
Schools: Moline-Coal Valley School District
Home to John Deere headquarters, Quad Cities International Airport, and downtown riverfront.
Davenport, IA
Suburban
Commute: 10-15 min
Schools: Davenport Community School District
Largest Quad City on the Iowa side with shopping, dining, and Mississippi riverfront.
Bettendorf, IA
Suburban
Commute: 15-20 min
Schools: Bettendorf Community School District
Upscale Iowa-side suburb with highly rated schools and newer housing.
East Moline, IL
Suburban
Commute: 15-20 min
Schools: United Township High School / East Moline SD 37
Affordable Illinois-side Quad City community with riverfront parks.
Milan, IL
Suburban
Commute: 10-15 min
Schools: Rock Island-Milan School District 41
Quiet south-of-Rock Island village with smaller-town feel and easy I-280 access.
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Rock Island Arsenal.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Spouse Income Tax
Illinois exempts all military pay and retirement pay. MSRRA applies.
Vehicle Registration
Non-resident military exempt from IL registration.
Property Tax
Disabled veterans may qualify for up to $100,000 EAV reduction.
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Pet Policies at Rock Island Arsenal
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Rock Island Arsenal.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
—
Prohibited Animals
—
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
Coming soon
Coming soon
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Rock Island Arsenal.
Commissary
Coming soon
Exchange
Coming soon
Medical
6
Woodson Health Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
Youth Programs
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rock Island Arsenal.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Moline Gate (Main Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
Read answer
02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Rock Island Arsenal.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Rock Island Arsenal.
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Question
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.