Kaiserslautern MC

Kaiserslautern Military Community Army Installations

The Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) is the largest military community outside the continental United States, and is a combined community consisting of Army and Air Force components. Virtually all facilities imaginable are available in KMC.

U.S. Army facilities and units located there include the US Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Sembach Kaserne, 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC ) and the European headquarters of the Defense Commissary Agency. Kaiserslautern is located in the German State of Rheinland-Pfalz, which lies in the southwest part of the country. Rheinland-Pfalz borders on France, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the German States of Saarland, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Hessen and Baden-Wurttemberg. Kaiserslautern is 80 miles southwest of Frankfurt and 295 miles northeast of Paris.

The Vogelweh Housing Area, sometimes known as "KMC West," is the center of Army activities in the area. It accommodates more than 10,000 soldiers and their family members with housing, schools, the commissary, clinics, a community center, Military Police, officer's clubs and enlisted men's clubs.

US Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, headquartered at Pulaski Barracks, has the mission of providing base support for all of the community's Army units and their families.

Other facilities in and around Kaiserslautern include Panzer, Kleber and Daenner Kasernes and Miesau. Panzer Kaserne is the easternmost installation and home to Headquarters, 21st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), the largest forward deployed logistical command in the United States Army. It serves as USAREUR's senior logistical command and oversees all forms of logistic support within the European Theater, with soldiers and civilians in 5 to 10 countries at any given time.

The 21st TSC carries out multiple missions within the entire European theater: direct and general maintenance and supply; total distribution, storage and maintenance of pre-positioned matter; military police support; movements control and material management for the theater.

Miesau Army Depot is the largest ammunition storage area outside the United States. Its mission is to issue, receive, store, transship, inspect, inventory, and maintain ammunition stock records accounting.

Sembach Kaserne

Sembach Kaserne, part of the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC), is about 45 minutes east of Ramstein Air Base and serves a population of about 2,000. It's located in rolling farm country ten miles north of Kaiserslautern, just off the Mannheim/Saarbrücken Autobahn. Also nearby are the vineyards of the Rhine Valley.

Though once the headquarters of the Seventeenth Air Force, Sembach no longer operates as an air base, and became a US Army installation in 2010. It retains many facilities that add to the quality of life of those stationed there, and the facilities at Ramstein and Vogelweh, no doubt the most complete military communities outside the US, are only a short distance away.

Sembach currently houses a commissary, post office, bowling alley (with a Warrior Zone inside), fitness center, gas station, fire station, exchange convenience store TKS concessionaire, an elementary and middle school (with plans for a new K-8 school sometime in fiscal year 2016), a Community Bank, vehicle registration office, theater, community center, chapel, sports fields and Soldiers' barracks.

It is home to European Regional Medical Command (ERMC) which relocated from Heidelberg in 2013.

Landstuhl

The Army Post at Landstuhl is about 11 kilometers west of Kaiserslautern and five kilometers south of Ramstein Air Base.

It is home to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC), the largest American hospital outside of the United States, and the epicenter for peacetime healthcare in Europe. It is the only American tertiary hospital in Europe LRMC provides primary care, hospitalization and treatment for more than 57,000 American military personnel and their families within the center's boundaries. It also provides specialized care for the more than 205,000 additional American military personnel and their families in the European Theater. It is the evacuation and treatment center for all injured U.S. servicemembers and civilians, as well as members of the 56 coalition forces serving in Afghanistan, Iraq, as well as Africa Command, Central Command and European Command.

Ambulatory services include family practice, outpatient clinic, immunizations and physical exams. Medical services include internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, educational and early intervention services and dermatology. Surgical services include orthopedics, general surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, oral surgery, OB/GYN, optometry, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Inpatient services include operating rooms, delivery suites and birth rooms, medical surgery wards, a newborn nursery, intensive care unit, an in- and out-patient pharmacy, X-ray to include CT scanner, MRI and laboratory services. Social work services are also provided.

Specialties unique to the European Theater include Hematology/Oncology, Pediatric Cardiology, Rheumatology, Burn Stabilization, Neurosurgery, Nuclear Medicine, Addiction Treatment Facility, Neonatal Intensive Care and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

The staff at LRMC consists of approximately 2,700 soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and civilian employees.

There are 100 beds and neonatal bassinets at LRMC. There are, on the average, 13 admissions daily, 1,200 daily outpatient visits, 26 daily operations and two births daily. LRMC is a fully accredited health care facility, as set forth by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. It is a Level III Trauma Center as verified by the American College of Surgeons. The Mammography section of the Radiology Department is accredited by the American College of Radiology. The pathology Department and its blood bank each have accreditation by their respective national authorities.

Fisher Houses

Landstuhl has two Fisher Houses with 19 rooms for families of patients. The first Fisher House outside the United States was opened in 2001, in response to the attack on the USS Cole. Victims of that terrorist assault were treated at Landstuhl. September 11th led the Fisher House Foundation to open a second facility at Landstuhl.

Fisher Houses offer less costly and more convenient lodging than guest housing or hotels. Rooms are filled by family members of patients with severe medical conditions.

US Army Facilities and Services
Kaiserslautern/Vogelweh/Landstuhl/Miesau/Sembach

AAFES (The Exchange)

The KMC Consolidated Exchange covers the military communities in Ramstein Air Base, Sembach, Panzer Kaserne, Daenner Kaserne, Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern Vogelweh, Pulaski Barracks, Kapaun Air Station, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Miesau Army Depot, Landstuhl Hospital and Baumholder. The Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), now referred to as the Exchange, is a major part of the big Kaiserslautern Military Community Center (KMCC) at Ramstein. The KMCC is a retail and entertainment center housing state-of-the-art shopping, dining and entertainment options. There is also a 350-room hotel, Outdoor Recreation Center with a climbing wall and parking for 2,800 cars.

The Exchange Main Store at the KMCC has a large number of departments common to most large department stores in the USA. The KMCC itself is modeled after a large mall. A food court offers all your American favorites, such as burgers, pizzas and tacos, and also some new food fare including Chinese specialties, seafood, and a 50s Diner: Johnny Rockets.

If you want to relax, you can enjoy the new massage and wellness spa. Or you can drop in for a cappuccino or browse the largest bookstore and Internet café in Europe. You'll find a wide variety of unique gifts and European souvenirs throughout the mall. The stadium seating in the new 4 PLEX Theater will be just like you find back home, offering movies throughout the afternoon and evening.

The Exchange Express stores are scattered throughout the KMC and Baumholder. You'll find them on the south side of Ramstein and at Kleber, Kapaun, Landstuhl, Pulaski and Sembach. Many are open longer than the Main BX/PXs.

AFN

AFN Kaiserslautern, presenting a great variety of TV and radio programming, is the local station of the American Forces Network, Europe. Located in the heart of the Kaiserslautern Military Community, it serves more than 57,000 American military, their families and Department of Defense civilians. AFN Kaiserslautern operates with a staff of local nationals, DoD Civilians, US Army and US Air Force Personnel.

From its facilities in Vogelweh, it broadcasts the primary television signal for AFN in the KMC. It also produces a daily newscast, promotes local events and command information through radio and television commercials, and airs more than 64 hours of live radio programming every week.

AFN Television (and some AFN radio) is received via cable on government housing areas and via satellite at off post/base locations.

The AFN radio stations (The Eagle) is broadcast over the air at 100.2 FM. AFN Radio also streams a larger number of shows and content over the internet.

The telephone numbers for AFN Kaiserslautern are DSN 489-7206 or CIV 0631-536-7206.

Army Community Service (ACS), BOSS and Soldier & Family Assistance Center (SFAC) - Soldier & Family Assistance

The Army Community Service (ACS) center offers various programs and services for soldiers, civilians and family members; family advocacy, parent education classes, financial maintenance classes, relocation information and support, mobilization and deployment support, employment services, transition assistance, Army Emergency Relief (AER) and volunteer programs are just some of the programs and services.

Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers (BOSS)

This program is designed to bring single members' quality of life in line with their married counterparts. Billets afford them more living space so they may decorate to their own tastes and include amenities such as floor kitchenettes, private facilities, fitness equipment and government furnishings. It also involves single personnel in recreational travel and community help programs.

Army Post Offices (APOs

There are Army Post Offices (APOs) on Kleber Kaserne, Kapaun Air Station, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Sembach Kaserne and in Landstuhl providing parcel service and transport of all classes of mail from priority to express. They also transport mail for free from APO to APO when "MPS" is written in the upper right corner of envelopes and packages. There are Community Mail Rooms (CMR) at Panzer Kaserne, Landstuhl and Miesau. An Official Mail Distribution Centers is at Panzer Kaserne.

Arts & Crafts Center

There is an Arts and Crafts center on Daenner Kaserne.

Auto Skills Centers

The Automotive Skills Centers on Pulaski and at Landstuhl offer assistance in performing automotive maintenance and repair. Equipment, tools and trained mechanics make everything, from charging a battery to major overhauls, possible at great cost savings.

Banking

There are Community Banks at Kleber, in the Vogelweh Commissary, on Sembach and Landstuhl and Service Credit Unions at Vogelweh and Sembach. They offer full service banking. Community Bank automatic teller machines (ATMs) are at the Kaupun Post Office, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Ramstein Lodge (Building 1002) and in Armstrong's Club, Landstuhl's Ramstein Inn (Building 3752) Landstuhl Gas Station, Landstuhl Community Club and in Pirmasens.

Child and Youth Services

Child, Youth & School (CYS) Services provides programs and services for children of eligible military and civilian families. These include full, part time and hourly child care; before and after school care; camps; middle school and teen youth programs; various instructional classes; and sports and fitness activities. The CYS Services office is in Building 2898 on Pulaski Barracks.

There are two Youth Centers with programs for ages 5-18. One is at Landstuhl and the other on Sembach Kaserne.

Civilian Personnel Offices

Federal job opportunities are available through Civilian Personnel Office located at Kleber Kaserne. (There is also a CPO on Ramstein Air Base) Appropriated Fund positions are limited and may be available for those with career status or hiring preferences. Non-appropriated Fund positions are more plentiful.

Commissaries

The Defense Commissary Agency Europe (DeCA) is headquartered at Kapaun Air Station in Kaiserslautern, and two of the biggest commissaries under its control are at Ramstein and Vogelweh. Both stores are seven-day operations with ample shopping space and numerous checkouts, including four self-checkouts. They each have an ATM, bakery, deli, fresh sandwiches to go, hot foods department, party cakes, plants, rotisserie chicken and a salad bar. There is a smaller commissary on Sembach Kaserne open Monday - Friday

Dining & Entertainment

Armstrong's Club on Vogelweh housing has Costello's Snack Bar that offers lunch and dinner as well as take-out delivery to certain locations. There is also an Irish Pub and several different rooms that can fit anywhere from 25 to 800 people for different events. These rooms are available to rent. There is a schedule of various special events such as DJ performances or karaoke throughout the year. Armstrong's also offers off-site catering.

The Kazabra Club in Vogelweh (close to Pulaski Barracks) presents the atmosphere of a traditional western saloon. There are live DJ and concert performances, a mechanical bull, big hardwood dance floor, pool table, game room and flat television screens. Food is served and there are room rental options. The club also has an outstanding Bingo program and special Game Nights that include a Texas Hold'em Tournament.

The Landstuhl Community Club on Wilson Barracks, across from the Warrior Transition Center, offers catering, a conference room, a bar/lounge and game room.

The Sembach Community Activity Center (Sembach CAC) is the hub for community activities, dining and entertainment in the Sembach community. There is the Manhattan Lounge;/Bar; a restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner and the Warrior Zone with TV, small movie theater, lounge area, free WiFi, computers, Xbox consoles and games and videos.

Java Cafés can be found on Kleber, Rhine Ordnance Barracks as well as in Sembach and Landstuhl. They serve Starbucks coffee and baked goods, sandwiches and salads throughout the day.

Education - Continuing & Higher Education

The Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) Army Continuing Education Services System (ACES) has four Army Education Centers (including one in Baumholder) that provide a large variety of services to active duty, civilians and adult family members. The other three are on Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kleber Kaserne and in Landstuhl. The website GoArmyEd.com has details on locations as well as services offered.

Several colleges and universities offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. They include: Central Texas College, University of Maryland, University of Oklahoma, University of Phoenix and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Representatives of these schools normally have offices in the Education Centers.

Emergency Relief Services

The American Red Cross has an office on Kleber Kaserne in Building 3245. Army Emergency Relief (AER) assistance is in Building 2917 on Pulaski Barracks.

Health Services

USAREUR's premier medical facility, the Landstuhl Army Regional Medical Center, is in USAG Rheinland-Pfalz. It provides primary care, tertiary care, hospitalization and treatment for U.S. military personnel and their families within the European Command. Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC) has a total of eight health clinics, including one at Kleber Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Building 3287.

Dental clinics in the area are located on Kleber Kaserne, Pulaski Barracks and at Landstuhl. The clinics at Kleber and Landstuhl provide care to active duty personnel only. They provide general dentistry and orthodontic treatment to authorized individuals. The Pulaski clinic provides care to Army service members and their families on a space-available basis. It also provides pediatric dental care.

It should be noted that there are many medical and dental offices off-post that cater to Americans and accept TRICARE. Patient liaison officers are available to assist people who may need special services available only at local German facilities.

Housing

Army family housing at the KMC is in two areas, Vogelweh and Landstuhl. Both are located within a 10 to 25 minute drive from one another. Depending on rank, neighborhood preference and number of dependents, housing will consist of two to four bedroom stairwell apartments and/or townhouses. There are also off-post housing opportunities. Check with the Housing Office for details on availability.

The housing office for the KMC is located in Building 1001 at Vogelweh. Customer Service hours are Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Legal Assistance

The Kaiserslautern Legal Service Center (KLSC) provides free legal assistance to Service Members, Department of Defense civilian employees, and family members. It is located on the first floor of Building 3210 on Kleber Kaserne.

Libraries

There are Libraries at Kleber and Landstuhl have fiction and nonfiction book selections, reference materials, travel guides, videos, educational resources, children's books, magazines and computers with internet access.

The US Army in Europe also has an online library that can be used for downloading e-books, movies and magazines. Visit it at: www.library.eur.army.mil.

Lodging

The guesthouses on Vogelweh and Landstuhl offer affordable and comfortable alternatives to local hotels and pensions. Vogelweh has 274 visitor quarters and 35 temporary lodging facilities. Landstuhl has 45 visitor quarters and 33 temporary lodging Facilities. Both are operated by the Air Force's 86th Force Support Squadron.

Music and Theater

The KMC Onstage Theater is located on Kleber Kaserne in Building 3232. The theater program provides a wide variety of theatrical entertainment for youth, families, and adults.

POV Registration

The field registration station is in the Vehicle Registration Building 2806 at Kapaun.

Recreation & Travel

The Kaiserslautern Rod and Gun Club in Vogelweh provides activities including paintball, archery, skeet/trap shooting and rifle and pistol shooting. It also has a retail store offering paintball equipment, fishing equipment, firearms and knives. Archery, hunting, fishing and sport shooting courses are offered throughout the year. It is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Rod and Gun Club is operated by the Air Force's 86th Force Support Squadron.

Outdoor Recreation offers economical ski trips and packages to ski resorts in Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France and the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort in southern Bavaria. Hiking, biking, fishing skydiving, day and weekend trips and trips to all sorts of other destinations are offered. It also offers for rent a wide array of equipment from bikes to camping gear, garden equipment skis/ski board, trailers and GPS devices.

The worldwide United Service Organization (USO) sells tickets to concerts and other special events in and around Germany. The USO Kaiserslautern office is on Pulaski Barracks.

CarlsonWagonlit/SatoTravel offers official travel as well as leisure travel opportunities. They have offices on Kleber Kaserne, Sembach Kaserne and at Landsthul.

Religious Activities

There are at least five chapels in Kaiserslautern. They are at Vogelweh, Daenner, Kapaun, Landstuhl and Miesau. They offer not only Catholic and Protestant services, but also other services including Jewish, Islamic and other denominations.

Schools - DoDEA-Europe

There are 11 schools in the Kaiserslautern Military Community. They are Kaiserslautern Elementary School (K-5), Kaiserslautern Middle School (6-8), Kaiserslautern High School (9-12) Landstuhl Elementary/Middle (K-6), Vogelweh Elementary School (K-5), Sembach Elementary School (K-3) and Sembach Middle School (4-8). On Ramstein Air Base there is a High School, (9-12) Middle School (6-8), Intermediate School (3-5) and Elementary School (K-2).

Sports and Fitness

The Commander's Cup Program organizes competitive sports and fitness intramural athletic programs for Army units. The events include softball, combat cross country, flag football, basketball, soccer volleyball and other sports. You can get information about the program at any of the Fitness Centers in the area.

There are Fitness Centers on Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kleber, and in Landstuhl, Sembach, Miesau and Germersheim. The Fitness Centers have well-trained staff, convenient hours of operation, locker rooms and a full array of fitness equipment.

There is also a Massage and Yoga Studio on Pulaski Barracks. Building 2899.

VAT Services

VAT (Mehrwertsteuer) relief forms can be processed at Building 3205 on Kleber Kaserne, Building 2925 on Pulaski Barracks, Building 3810 at Landstuhl and Building 1204 at Miesau.

Veterinarian Services

The Kaiserslautern Veterinary Treatment Facility is located in Building 2928, Pulaski Barracks. You need an appointment to have your pet registered and seen. Services include health certificates, annual examinations, vaccinations, fecal examinations, heartworm testing, laboratory workup and surgeries. There are also a number of German vets in the area that can take care of your pets if they require care that can't be delivered by the post facility. Emergency cases are referred to German vets.