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 siren testing schedules vary by location, so it’s best to check with the local county for specific details.

  Prepare

  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you are prepared and can 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

  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.

  Neighborhood Navigator: A tool from Military One Source that helps you explore and learn more about a community, including information on schools, amenities, demographics, and more. 

• 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

   

  It is highly recommended that you connect with your installation’s School Liaison, who can provide valuable information on local school districts, act as a bridge between the military community and school administrators, and offer expert guidance on educational matters.

  Fort Leonard Wood School Liaison Program

• Child Care

  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 Department of Defense and accredited by a national accrediting body, such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

  For a full list of 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. There, you can enter your location or military installation to find a comprehensive list of childcare programs, as well as submit requests for care through Child Development Centers, school-age care programs, and DOD-certified Family Child Care providers.

  Additional Child and Developement Resources

  Vsit our Family Care webpage, where you’ll find parenting and advocacy programs, development resources, toolkits, and more.

• 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.