Texas

Things to know...

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

• Weather & Natural Disasters

  Texas weather is marked by hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 100°F, especially in the southern and western regions, while winters can vary, with mild temperatures in the south and colder conditions in the north, often dipping below freezing. The state is prone to severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, as well as occasional winter ice storms.
  
  Tornados
  Texas peak tornado season is April to June, with an average of about 140 tornadoes occurring annually. In Austin, San Antonio, and El Paso, tornadoes are less frequent but still possible, particularly in the spring months. Wichita Falls is more tornado-prone, with the highest risk occurring in late spring and early summer. 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.
  
  Hurricanes and Flooding (Houston)
  For Houston and the Randolph area, hurricanes are a significant concern, particularly from June to November, with the highest risk during August and September. Houston is vulnerable to storm surges, high winds, and heavy rainfall from hurricanes, as it’s located near the Gulf of Mexico.
  Coastal flooding is a concern in Houston, especially when hurricanes or tropical storms bring significant storm surges. These floods can cause severe damage to low-lying areas, including infrastructure disruptions and property damage. It’s important to have an evacuation plan in place, especially for those living near the coast.
  
  Receiving weather warnings, alerts and updates through multiple means will ensure that you and your family can be prepared and 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/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: Austin, Kileen, Houston, El Paso, San Antonio, Wichita Falls
  
  Located in central Austin, Camp Mabry serves as the headquarters for the Texas Military Department and supports the Texas National Guard. Central Austin neighbourhoods like Tarrytown, Dripping Springs and Clarksville offer upscale housing options, tree-lined streets, and proximity to downtown. Dripping Springs, located on the far outskirts west of Austin, also offers housing options.  
  Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) is one of the largest military installations in the U.S., located adjacent to Killeen, Texas. The city directly surrounding Fort Cavazos, Killeen, is a practical and affordable option for military families. East of Killeen, Harker Heights is a quieter and more suburban alternative, popular with families.
  
  The Johnson Space Center is in the Clear Lake area of Houston and is home to NASA’s astronaut training and spaceflight operations. Houston hosts a branch of the University of Texas System through the UT Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), which offers academic and professional opportunities, particularly for those in healthcare or research. Houston and its surrounding areas, such as Clear Lake, Pearland, and Friendswood, offer diverse living options for CAF members and their families working near the Johnson Space Center or attending the University of Texas campuses. The Clear Lake area offers boating, fishing, and kayaking opportunities, along with proximity to the Gulf of Mexico. Houston is known for its world-class museums, theaters, and dining scene.
  
  On the eastern edge of El Paso is one of the largest U.S. Army bases, Fort Bliss, which serves as a critical hub for Army training and operations.
  
  Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA): Comprising Fort Sam Houston, Randolph Air Force Base, and Lackland Air Force Base, JBSA serves as a major training and medical hub for the U.S. military.
  Sheppard Air Force Base: Located on the northern edge of Wichita Falls, this base is primarily a training facility for Air Force and NATO personnel. Wichita Falls is a medium-sized city with a blend of urban amenities and small-town charm.
  
  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.
   
• Base Information & Resources
   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 these bases.

  • Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood) offers a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include multiple dining facilities, fitness centers, swimming pools, a 27-hole championship golf course at Clear Creek, bowling alley, arts and crafts center, auto hobby shop, bike and walking trails, sports fields, and courts. For the most updated information on Fort Cavazos MWR facilities and services > visit Fort Cavazos
  • Fort Bliss features a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities. Amenities include multiple fitness centers, swimming pools, a 27-hole championship golf course at Clear Creek, bowling alley, arts and crafts center, auto hobby shop, bike and walking trails, sports fields, and courts. For the most updated information on Fort Bliss MWR facilities and services > visit Fort Bliss
  • Joint Base San Antonio  offers a commissary, exchange, and various MWR facilities including fitness centers, golf courses, swimming pools, bowling alleys, arts and crafts, auto hobby shops, and lodging at Air Force Inns. Housing is available at all locations with community amenities. For the most updated information on JBSA MWR facilities and services > visit JBSA
  • Sheppard Air Force Base features a commissary, exchange, and various Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) facilities, including Pitsenbarger and Levitow fitness centers, Bunker Hill Waterpark with pools and slides, and lodging at the Gateway Inn. For the most updated information on Sheppard AFB MWR facilities and services > visit Sheppard AFB 
• Getting Around
  Austin: Public transit is available via Capital Metro, which operates buses and a light rail, making it a bit easier to get around without a car, especially downtown. Traffic can be heavy, particularly during rush hours, and parking can be challenging in the city center.
  
  Killeen: Being near Fort Hood, Killeen is heavily car-dependent, though the city does have a local bus service through the Killeen-Fort Hood Regional Transit District (Killeen Transit). Traffic around Fort Hood can be heavier during shift changes.
  
  Houston: While Houston has a public transit system with METRO buses and light rail, the city is known for heavy traffic, and most people rely on personal vehicles for greater convenience. Traffic can be particularly challenging around major highways and the city center.
  
  El Paso: Most residents rely on cars, but El Paso’s Sun Metro provides bus services throughout the city, making it a feasible option for those without vehicles. Traffic is generally moderate, with congestion near military bases like Fort Bliss.
  
  San Antonio: San Antonio has VIA Metropolitan Transit, which provides bus service throughout the city, but driving is still the most common way to get around. Traffic can be moderate, especially around popular areas like the River Walk and near military bases like Lackland AFB.
  
  Wichita Falls: Getting around Wichita Falls is mostly car-dependent, as public transit options are limited. The Wichita Falls Transit System operates some bus routes, but most residents rely on their own vehicles for convenience, especially to reach areas like Sheppard Air Force Base.
• On-Base Medical Treatment Facilities
  The following medical groups provide comprehensive medical care to CAF Families who have been enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) and have TRICARE eligibility.

  • Camp Mabry & Fort Cavazos, through the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (CRDAMC) and its associated clinics.
  • Fort Bliss, through the William Beaumont Army Medical Center (WBAMC) and its associated clinics.
  • Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) in Texas comprises three primary installations: Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, and Randolph Air Force Base. Each base offers medical services through its respective facilities, providing comprehensive health care to eligible personnel and their families.
  • Sheppard Air Force Base (AFB) through the 82nd Medical Group
• Critters & Wildlife
  Texas is home to wildlife such as venomous snakes like the Western Diamondback rattlesnake and the Texas coral snake, as well as ticks that can carry Lyme disease, particularly in wooded and grassy areas. The state also has insects like mosquitoes, fire ants, and occasional encounters with alligators, particularly in the southern regions. Compared to Canada, Texas’s warmer climate supports a greater variety of reptiles and insects, making routine pest control recommended to manage mosquitoes, fire ants, termites, and other pests that thrive in the hot, humid environment.
• Education
  Below is a non-exhaustive list of the neighbourhoods and their respective school districts, as well as links to French-language schools in their respective neighbourhoods.
  
  Austin

  • Austin Independent School District
  • Alliance Française d'Austin offers French language classes for all levels, including private lessons and tutoring for adults, children, and teens. All instructors are native French speakers.
  • French School of Austin (École Jean-Jacques Rousseau) is a private, independent bilingual school offering a dual-language immersion program from preschool to Grade 8, based on the French Ministry of Education curriculum. Enrollment Considerations: Private institution with its own admission process and tuition fees. It's advisable to contact the school directly for current enrollment information.

  El Paso          

  • El Paso Independent School District

  Houston

  • Clear Creek Independent School District
  • The Awty International School offers Houston's only fully accredited French program accredited by the French Ministry of National Education from Early Learning (Petite Section) to High School (Terminale). The Awty International School is part of the Mission Laïque Française (MLF) network. Enrollment Considerations: Selective admissions process; contact the school directly for application procedures and deadlines.
  • Additional Educational Programs and Resources:
    • Space Center Houston's Education Programs
    • NASA Kids' Club

  Killeen

  • Killeen Independent School District

  San Antonio

  • San Antonio Independent School District
  • Northeast Independent School District

  Wichita Falls:

  • Wichita Falls Independent School District
  • Burkburnett Independent School District

  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 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 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles provides guidelines for transferring out-of-state titles and licenses. Texas offers a "Real ID" compliant driver's license, which can be used for federal identification purposes.