Relocating to San Antonio | Relocation Resources for Moving to San Antonio

The United States Military is part of the very fabric of San Antonio. It is interwoven into the city’s culture, economy, industry, way of life and, most importantly, its people. The two are inextricably linked throughout history, with the military helping to shape San Antonio and San Antonio helping to shape the military. An understanding of the military’s history and current presence in the city is pertinent, not only to people in the armed forces, but to anyone who plans to call San Antonio home. After all, the city bears the patriotic nickname of Military City U.S.A.

The military has enjoyed an unbroken history in San Antonio. The military’s future in the city looks strong, as the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) 2005 is well underway. The BRAC involves closing numerous military facilities around the country and relocating much of the personnel and operations to San Antonio. Unprecedented growth is expected by 2011.

In 2006, the Military Transformation Task Force commissioned the City of San Antonio’s Economic Development Department to measure the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) economic impact. This study concluded the DoD registered an impact of $13.3 billion. By 2011, the BRAC recommendations will drastically increase this number.

The impact the BRAC will have on San Antonio is staggering. Recent estimates indicate the BRAC will generate an additional $8.3 billion in positive economic impact through 2011. This marks a significant increase from the 2006 estimate of $5.6 billion. Not included in this estimate is the expected economic impact following 2011, which is estimated at an additional $2.9 billion annually. The BRAC recommendations will transform all of San Antonio’s major military facilities including Fort Sam Houston (FSH), Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) and Randolph Air Force Base (AFB). In addition, the BRAC recommendations will close San Antonio’s Brook City Base by 2011, making way for a new master-planned research and technology center.

Fort Sam Houston
— History
Since 1845, the U.S. Army has utilized San Antonio as a headquarters, logistical base, mobilization and training site, garrison and provider of medical support. Initially, the Army leased facilities from the city, including the historic Alamo. In 1876, the city donated 92 acres of land known as Government Hill. Shortly thereafter, the Army moved its facilities and began construction on what would become FSH.

By 1885, a 10,830 square-foot commander’s home, named the Pershing House, and a permanent post hospital were constructed. Another 60 buildings were added between 1885 and 1891. In 1890, the military post at San Antonio was named after the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.

From 1910 until World War II, “Fort Sam” was the largest Army post in the U.S. In 1910, it fathered military aviation and, by 1917, developed the first Aeromedical evacuation strategy. Following World War II, FSH became the Army’s principal medical training facility. Today, it is the largest and most important medical training facility in the world. It is widely known as the “Home of Army Medicine” and the “Home of Combat Medic.” Soldiers from FSH have participated in every American war since its inception.

By 1928, 500 new structures had been built on FSH. In 1938, a new hospital, the Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), was constructed. During the Korean War, its Medical Field Service School became a major training facility. By 1949, FSH had 1,500 buildings, 3,300-plus acres and was the headquarters of the Fourth United States Army.

In 1975, FSH was designated as a National Historic Landmark. It is home to more than 900 historic structures including the FSH Quadrangle. The Quadrangle is the oldest structure at the post and once held Geronimo, the Apache Indian leader, while the government determined his sentencing. Today, FSH often renovates and reuses significant historical buildings like the Quadrangle for various purposes.

— General Information
FSH is located in Northeast San Antonio. Three major roadways provide access to the fort, including Loop 410, Interstate 35 and U.S. 281. FSH is home to the Fifth U.S. Army, U.S. Army South, Fifth Recruiting Brigade, 12th ROTC Brigade, U.S. Navy Regional Recruiting, the San Antonio Military Entrance and Processing Station and the U.S. Naval School of Health Sciences, Bethesda Detachment. Medical facilities at FSH include the BAMC, the Great Plains Regional Medical Command, Headquarters Dental Command, Headquarters Veterinary Command, the Institute for Surgical Research (trauma/burn center), the Defense Medical Readiness Training Institute and the Army Medical Department Non-commissioned Officer Academy.

FSH supports 35 Army, two Air Force, five Navy/Marine, two joint service, seven DoD, five federal, three state and five private organizations. FSH is the fourth-largest employer in San Antonio. The current work force consists of approximately 35,900 military personnel (including active, reserve and National Guard), approximately 8,500 civilians as well as an additional 3,000 contract employees and other workers. Approximately 47,200 Army members reside at FSH. The current number of family members residing on the post is approximately 8,000 and about 113,300 military retirees and family members also live in the area.