Phone: 1 (573) 596-0590 or 1 (573) 596-3642 Fort Leonard Wood Visitor Centerįort Leonard Wood visitor passes will be issued to those with a valid reason for entering the installation.
The post also serves as the training center for Army Engineers, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) specialists, and Military Police. The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence is a large training post and one of the Army’s Basic Combat Training (BCT) centers. Situated in the Ozark Mountains, the terrain is rugged and wooded. The post itself is named for Major General Leonard Wood, Medal of Honor recipient and commander of the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry, more commonly known as the “Rough Riders.” Wood was the commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt before being promoted and eventually becoming Chief of Staff of the Army. To improve American readiness in the lead-up to World War II, the installation was built as an infantry training center to expand the Army.
It was built during the dark days leading up to America’s entry into World War II when the US Army was much smaller and poorly equipped. Welcome to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, the home state of Walt Disney, Budweiser, Kansas City Barbecue, and Mark Twain! What could be more American?įort Leonard Wood dates back to early 1941.