U.S. Army Fort Leonard Wood Press Center

Official Government Press Center for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri

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Press Releases

Photo: Marine Corps Volkslauf 10k Fun Run

Participants of the 2017 Marine Corps Volkslauf may have to wade through the water at a river crossing in the 10k Fun Run, Saturday on Fort Leonard Wood. (Photo credit: Public Affairs Office)

Press Release: Marines host 18th annual Volkslauf 10k Fun Run on post Saturday

Press Release 17-094 Marines host 18th annual Volkslauf 10k Fun Run on post Saturday

Preparations are in full swing for the 18th annual Volkslauf 10k Fun Run, which is set to take place Saturday on Fort Leonard Wood.

Held each year by the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment, the Volkslauf has been described as “an extreme” 10k, covering terrain ranging from blacktop to steep, rocky hills, heavily wooded trails, mud pits and water crossings.

This year’s race will also feature something several of last year’s runners asked for: more man-made obstacles.

Photo: Lancaster-native trades simple life for Army life

Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca Franco, 84th Chemical Battalion command sergeant major, Lancaster, Pennsylvania-native, addresses a company of Soldiers following a phasing ceremony during Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. (Photo credit: Stephen Standifird, Guidon managing editor)

Press Release: From bonnet to patrol cap: Lancaster-native trades simple life for Army life

Press Release 17-093 From bonnet to patrol cap – Lancaster-native trades simple life for Army life

The decision to join the Army can be difficult for a lot of reasons.

For one command sergeant major on Fort Leonard Wood, the choice was tough because she would be walking away from everything she had known and loved, for the chance to be a part of something more.

Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca Franco, 84th Chemical Battalion command sergeant major, originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was born into a deeply-rooted Family within a Mennonite community.

“Once you are in that community, you stay in it,” Franco said. “There are responsibilities you have to maintain. It’s a way of living. There really is no way out.”

Photo: Basic Combat Training mission increase

Fort Leonard Wood’s Basic Combat Training mission for FY17 is expected to increase by about 4,500 Soldiers. Plans are also ongoing to activate one BCT battalion and eight companies to train the additional Soldiers, according to Capt. Jason Pavlik, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence G-33 support operations officer. (Photo credit: Stephen Standifird, Guidon managing editor)

Press Release: Group readies post for Basic Combat Training mission increase

Press Release 17-092 Group readies post for Basic Combat Training mission increase

For the past several months, organizations across Fort Leonard Wood have been preparing to support an increase to the installation’s fiscal year 2017 Basic Combat Training mission.

The Army announced in March that its troop levels for FY17 will increase to 1.018 million Soldiers, a net gain of 28,000 Soldiers across the Total Force — Regular Army, National Guard and Army Reserve.

As a result, Fort Leonard Wood’s BCT mission for FY17 is expected to increase by about 4,500 Soldiers. Plans are also ongoing to activate one BCT battalion and eight companies to train the additional Soldiers, according to Capt. Jason Pavlik, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence G-33 support operations officer.