FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 15, 2026) – Four of Fort Leonard Wood’s Army and Air Force Exchange Service locations are scheduled to have delayed openings to take inventory. According to a Fort Leonard Wood AAFES official, as soon as the counts are complete, the stores will open. The North Express in Bldg. 150 is set to have a delayed opening Jan. 24, and is expected to be open by 11 a.m. The South Express, Bldg. 1605, and Class Six in Bldg. 490 are scheduled for inventory Jan. 25. and are expected to be open by 11 a.m. The Main Exchange in Bldg. 487 is scheduled for inventory Jan. 27 and is expected to be open by 2 p.m.

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

By Carl Norman, Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center recruiter

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Jan. 9, 2026) — The 2025 holiday season saw America’s military blood supply drop drastically and the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center must collect 1,200 units Jan. 25 through 28 to help replenish the life-saving inventory.

In what’s been dubbed the Armed Services Blood Program Winter Drive, teams from Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Bliss, Texas and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., will host the four-day blood drive at the Fort Leonard Wood Blood Donor Center located at 6261 Buckeye in Building 759A.

“We’ve seen a significant nationwide drop in blood donations during December and January,” said Col. Christopher Evans, Army Blood Program director. “Because blood products have a natural expiration date, we can’t stockpile indefinitely to cover this gap. To solve this, the Army Blood Program has designated Fort Leonard Wood as the West winter blood collection hub. We are conducting this targeted drive to aggressively counter the winter slump and ensure our supply chain remains unbroken heading into the new year.”

Blood will flow from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and all military units on Fort Leonard Wood, government civilian employees and Tricare beneficiaries in the local community are asked to give.

Donated blood helps service members and their families throughout the Department of War have a better chance of winning their battle against illness and injury.

Blood donors must weigh at least 116 pounds, be at least 17 years old and have been feeling well for at least three days before the drive. They must also be well hydrated and have eaten something before donating. Those wanting to donate should know what foreign countries they’ve traveled to in the past 12 months and bring a photo ID with them to verify eligibility.

Fort Leonard Wood Regulation 690-12, Civilian Personnel Leave Administration, encourages government employees to donate blood and grants excused absence for the time necessary to do so as well as recuperate afterwards and travel to and from the donation site. The maximum excused absence can’t exceed four hours, and supervisor coordination is required.

“Having an ample blood supply available for combatant commanders and special operations forces is a must to keep our forces fit to fight,” Evans said. “We’re thankful we can surge resources at Fort Leonard Wood to meet mission requirements effectively, leveraging our trainee and permanent party populations to save lives.”

Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said he’s excited to accept this challenge and show everyone the post’s compassion.

“Currently, the Department of War’s blood inventories are below optimal levels and we need to do all we can to replenish those critical supplies,” he said. “At Fort Leonard Wood, we’re committed to supporting the medical needs of our military community and uphold the values of service and sacrifice. The Armed Services Blood Program enables high-quality care for Department of War beneficiaries, ultimately enhancing the readiness and resilience of our forces.”

Evans said failing to collect the required units at the winter drive is not an option.

“If we do not meet these goals, we place an immediate strain on our military treatment facilities and contingency blood supplies globally,” Evans said. “Failure here creates a gap in coverage that could impact wounded warriors downrange.”

“Success is mandatory because it ensures that when a service member needs blood, whether in a training accident or a combat zone, the supply is there waiting for them – we owe them that for putting their lives on the line for our freedom.”

For more information about the ASBP Winter Drive or to schedule your unit to donate, call 573-596-6150 or email Carl.A.Norman2.civ@health.mil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

 

 

By Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (January 7, 2026) — The Fort Leonard Wood Visitor Center, located just outside the Main Gate, is scheduled to begin new hours of operation Jan. 11.

The Visitor Center, which is usually open 24/7, will be closing daily from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Security Guard Chief Randy Wood, with the Directorate of Emergency Services, said these changes are temporary and are due to limited resources.

“It will reopen to 24 hours once resources will allow,” Wood added.

Until then, visitors arriving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. will still be able to apply for temporary post access.

“Visitors should continue to the lanes when the visitor center is closed. The guards will do the required checks and issue temporary passes if everything is good,” Wood said.

He added that security guards will be able to provide instructions should a visitor need a longer pass.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this change may cause. Our team is committed to keeping the installation safe and secure, and we appreciate the community’s patience as we work through these resourcing challenges,” Wood said.

For more gate and access information, visit Fort Leonard Wood’s access control page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

 

By Melissa Buckley, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Dec. 10, 2025) — A groundbreaking in Fort Leonard Wood’s Woodlands Housing Area Dec. 10 marks the official beginning of construction on 56 new homes.

During his remarks, Col. Alexander Lovasz, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood deputy commanding officer, said the groundbreaking was about more than construction, it was about quality of life.

“Fort Leonard Wood is built on the foundation of readiness and readiness begins at home,” Lovasz said. “This new family housing development is a direct investment in the people who make this installation mission-ready every day.”

According to officials with Fort Leonard Wood’s on-post family housing partner, Balfour Beatty Communities, the 28 duplex units are part of a $50 million construction effort that includes demolition of former housing, extensive site work and infrastructure upgrades to support the new homes.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the service members and families that call Fort Leonard Wood their home. Your dedication inspires everything that we do,” said Shawna Swanson, Balfour Beatty Communities Operations vice president.

She added that the new homes were designed with today’s military families in mind.

“They include modern layouts, energy efficient features and will also have three Americans with Disability Act-compliant homes to ensure accessibility,” Swanson said.

The new homes will be located on Cable Street, which is located near the Woodlands Community Center, an elementary school and neighborhood playgrounds.

“We look forward to celebrating again when these homes open their doors to the service members and families who deserve them,” Lovasz said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-roll from the groundbreaking ceremony can be found at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/989658/fort-leonard-wood-breaks-ground-56-new-homes.

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About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.

By Ryan Thompson, Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Dec. 5, 2025) — Soldiers wanting to become members of the Military Police Corps will spend much of their advanced individual training at a mock city called the Brig. Gen. David H. Stem Training Village, commonly referred to as Stem Village.

Consisting of a housing area, police station, gym, theater, and barracks, Stem Village, located at Fort Leonard Wood, offers Soldiers a unique training experience as they journey down the path to becoming an MP.

According to Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan Parish, Basic MP Training Division team leader, Stem Village is set up as a “mini garrison” to provide Soldiers with a sense of realism while training in a controlled environment.

“Having that sense of realism allows Soldiers to fully immerse themselves into their training, providing them the ability to understand the whole concept of this is what we are going to be doing, and this is how we are going to be doing it,” Parish said.

Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Kahl, 31B Military Police course manager, said Stem Village is extremely important because Soldiers can train in the classroom environment all day, but it’s the hands-on training that creates the “muscle memory” required to effectively complete the mission.

“Stem Village allows me to come up with multiple different scenarios that simulate the real-world situations that an MP may encounter once they get to their unit,” Kahl said.

Parish agreed.

“When it comes to the number of scenarios we can recreate here, the sky’s the limit,” Parish said. “We can create scenarios ranging from a loud noise complaint, traffic stop, armed robbery or attempted murder.”

To reinforce the quality of training Stem Village provides, Soldiers must complete a culminating event called the Sword.

“Sword is an eight-hour shift where MP AIT Soldiers carry out various law enforcement duties, such as responding to a domestic violence call or pulling over a drunk driver,” Parish said. “It’s where we simulate the day in the life of an actual MP.”

Parish and Kahl both said that Stem Village is a vital part of becoming an MP.

“Everything we do as MP Soldiers all starts here,” Parish said. “Since 1999, every MP Soldier who has completed AIT at Fort Leonard Wood has been through Stem Village, it’s a rite of passage.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Media interested in attending the event should contact the Public Affairs Office at 573.563.4145, no later than 1 p.m. Dec. 11.

About Fort Leonard Wood

Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 80,000 military and civilians each year.

Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.

Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps Detachment and Air Force Squadron on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.