Missouri

Things to know...

Details that are different from state to state and may make your posting just a little bit easier!

• Weather & Natural Disasters
  Missouri experiences a wide range of weather, with hot, humid summers often reaching the upper 80s and 90s, and cold winters with temperatures averaging in the 20s to 40s. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms, spring tornadoes, and occasional winter storms, including snow and ice.
  
  Tornados
  
  Missouri’s tornado season runs from March to May, with an average of about 30 tornadoes annually. While many tornadoes are weak, some can be severe, making preparation essential. If you hear a siren, it's crucial to immediately head to your designated tornado shelter or safe room. It's also wise to keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies for several days and to regularly practice your family's tornado plan, just as you would a fire escape plan. Tornado sirens in Missouri are tested on the first Wednesday of each month at varying times, depending on the county.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and take act quickly. NOAA weather radio, local weather broadcasts, outdoor sirens, wireless emergency alerts (if you switch to an American area code), weather apps, and social media are all great tools to receive national and statewide disaster and emergency alerts.
  
  For more in-depth information, check out ready.gov, a national campaign aimed at educating and empowering individuals to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters.
   
• Neighbourhoods
  Cities: Fort Leonard Wood
  Located in the Ozarks of southern Missouri is Fort Leonard Wood. In addition to living in Fort Leonard Wood, CAF families can search in the surrounding communities of Waynesville and St. Robert offer a variety of housing options.
  
  Use this tool to help you learn more about a community. You can get information on schools, home values, weather, population and more > Access the Military One Source Neighbourhood Navigator.
   
• Fort Leonard Wood
  For more detailed information about each base, including contact information and specific services offered, you can visit Military One Source and select your state followed by your installation or click the links below.
  Spouses and dependents with valid Department of Defense (DoD) identification cards have access to Fort Leonard Wood.

  • Fort Leonard Wood offers amenities such as a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities arts, bowling, a library, auto hobby shop, recreation center, golf course, gym, tennis courts, swimming pool, mini golf, go-carts, and outdoor activities such as fishing.

   
• Getting Around
  Getting around Fort Leonard Wood is mostly car-dependent, with major roads like I-44 and Route 66 providing access to the base and surrounding areas. Traffic is usually light but can be heavier during peak hours at the base, especially around shift changes and training events. Most people rely on personal vehicles for convenience.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facility
  General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital (GLWACH) at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, provides comprehensive medical services to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.
   
• Critters & Wildlife
  Missouri is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Eastern Copperhead and the Western Diamondback rattlesnake, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, especially in wooded areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, ants, and occasional encounters with black bears in more rural regions. Compared to Canada, Missouri has a greater variety of reptiles and insects due to its humid climate, so routine pest control is recommended to manage mosquitoes, ticks, and other pests during the warmer months.
• Children's Education
  There are several public schools along with a few charter schools within a 25-mile radius of Fort Leonard Wood.

  • Waynesville R-VI School District As the largest district in Pulaski County, Waynesville R-VI encompasses the communities of Waynesville, St. Robert, and Fort Leonard Wood. The district educates a significant number of military dependents, with over two-thirds of its students affiliated with the military
  • Richland R-IV School District
  • Crocker R-II School District
  • Dixon R-I School District
  • Laquey R-V School District
  • Plato R-V School District
  • Swedeborg R-VIII School District

  
  International Language Center/Brunetti Language School: Located in nearby St. Louis, Missouri, this institution offers various language courses, including French, for different age groups and proficiency levels.  
  
  It is highly recommended that you utilize your installation’s School Liaison Officer, who is available to offer valuable information on local school districts, serve as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and provide expert consultation on educational matters.
  
  Click here for School Liaison Officer information and contact for Fort Huachuca. To find the most updated contact information for a School Liaison Program visit Military One Source Program and Services Contacts and select School Liaison Program and your location.
   
• Childcare
  Child Development Centers
  Child development centers (CDCs) generally offer childcare for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Care is available Monday through Friday, with some locations offering options such as extended hours, weekend care and respite care. Child development centers vary in size and larger installations may operate multiple facilities. Programs are certified by the Defense Department and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children
  
  For a full list of all military-operated childcare programs, including Child Development Centers, Childcare programs, before- and after-school care, as well as summer and holiday camps – visit MilitaryChildCare.com. Here you can enter in your location or Military installation and find a comprehensive list of all Childcare programs as well as initiate a request for childcare through child development centers, school-age care programs and DOD certified family childcare providers.
  
  Additional Child and Development-related resources:

  • Zero to Three is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote the healthy development of our nation’s infants and toddlers
  • Birth to Five watch me Thrive is a podcast from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Childhood Development provides information for parents about celebrating milestones, the importance of health screenings, how to identify delays and early concerns and how to provide developmental supports for children.
  • Exceptional Family Member Program works with other community and military agencies to make sure military parents have the early intervention services their infants and toddlers need.
  • Thrive — a free, online parenting program that promotes positive parenting, stress management and healthy lifestyle practices.
  • The Military Child Education Coalition is a nonprofit organization that promotes partnerships and provides for networking of military installations and their supporting school districts. 
  • The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is designed to make transitions smooth for families moving to a new duty station. 
  • Military K-12 Partnership between the DOD and the Department of Defense Education Activity, has all of the services working with educators and administrators across the nation to provide quality education for all children of military families. 
  • Exceptional Family Member Program can help families navigate the DOD’s network of services and support if they have a child with a disability or special need.
  • The MWR Digital Library is a free, online resource for service members and their families that offers a wide variety of activities and materials for all ages. 
  • Sesame Workshop has various toolkits to help military families with young children handle the challenges of military life.
  • Military OneSource education consultants provide one-on-one, free and confidential services. These consultants can provide referrals to in-home tutors and tutoring centers in their area as well as public and private school information. They enable parents to speak to specialists with various areas of expertise. They include the New MilParent specialty consultation, designed for expectant parents and parents of children up to the age of 5 which provides support for a wide range of parenting issues
• Automobile Registration, Plates & Licenses
  The Missouri Department of Revenue provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses. Missouri offers a "Real ID" compliant driver's license, which can be used for federal identification purposes.