The complete post guide to Fort Knox

Does Fort Knox's gold really exist? And if it does, why can’t the public see it? That’s the exact question treasure hunters and sleuths have been asking for years. So, if a PCS to Kentucky is in your future, then you’ll have the chance to find out. Okay, not really because we’re pretty sure the DoD doesn’t let anyone see inside the vaults. But still - knowing you’re that close to America’s reserves has to count for something, right? Read on to find out everything you need to know about a posting to Ft. Knox, including the history of how the vault came to be. 

Soldiers and Army families probably know Knox best as HRC. It’s the post from which all orders are issued. So it’s no surprise then that the post is home to the Human Resources Command. HRC personnel are the career managers for all Army MOS'. Additionally, it’s home to the Army Recruiting Command and the Army Cadet Command. The post is named in honor of Henry Knox, Chief of Artillery during the Revolutionary war and first Secretary of War of the United States.

Just as notable, this Army post is the sixth largest in Kentucky. Knox comprises more than 100,000 acres and stretches over three counties. Fort Knox has also been one of the most important military installations in the U.S. since the Civil War. Speaking of the Civil War, here are 12 surprising facts about the conflict you might not know. 

Fort Knox is located between Elizabethtown and Louisville. It’s about 25 miles south of Louisville. It straddles Bullit, Hardin, and Meade counties. Because of its size, Ft. Knox is certified as a city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

Traveling by car from the Louisville International Airport: Take I-65S to the Gene Snyder Freeway West (KY 841) until you reach the 31W Fort Knox exit. This exit will take you to the entrance gates of Fort Knox.

Depending on where you’re coming from, it might be a fun adventure to do a DITY PCS and drive yourself to post. Of course, if you’re coming from Sill or JBLM, you’re in for a long ride. 

Flying is probably the most convenient option. You’ll fly into the Louisville International Airport. Expect travel from the airport to post to take about half an hour. 

There are three gates at post.

Main Chaffee Gate is 24/7 and is the site of the Visitor’s Control Center.

Brandenburg Gate is open Monday through Friday 0600 - 1300, closed on holidays and training days

Wilson Gate is open Monday through Friday 0600 - 1300, closed on holidays

Army Community Service (502) 624-6291

Barracks (502) 943-1000

Central Office/Domestic Dependent Elem. and Secondary Schools (502) 624-2345

Child and Youth Services Registration (502) 624-6703

CYS Main (502) 624-6700

Civilian Personnel Office (502) 624-3429

CYS Central Registration Office (502) 624-6703

Dental Clinic Hospital (502) 624-9670

Deployment and Mobilization (502) 624-6291

Education and Developmental Intervention Services (502) 624-9552

Education Center (502) 624-4136

Family Advocacy Program (502) 624-6291

Family Housing Office (502) 799-6508

Hospital Main (502) 624-9333

Household Goods and Transportation (502) 624-3927

Housing Services Office (502) 624-5824

ID Card Section (502) 624-1667

ID/CAC Card Section (502) 624-1818

IHG Army Hotels (502) 943-1000

In/Out Proc. / Defense Financing and Accounting (502) 624-4397

Information and Referral (502) 624-6291

Legal Services and JAG – (502) 624-2771

New Parent Support Program (502) 624-6291

Off Post Housing Referral (502) 799-6508

Post Operator (502) 624-1000

School Age Services (502) 624-6903

School Liaison Services (502) 624-2305

Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255

Temporary Lodging (502) 943-1000

Transient Billeting (OQ,VOQ,VEQ,DVQ) (502) 943-1000

Travel Pay / Defense Financing and Accounting (502) 624-8546

Victim Advocate Services (502) 624-6291

Welcome/Visitors Center – (502) 624-7018

The main mission at Ft. Knox is to recruit, train, and support warfighters for the challenges of the twenty-first century. 

Ft. Knox boasts a diverse collection of missions and units. It’s home to the Army Human Resource Center of Excellence. 

Units currently stationed at post include the 3rd Brigade Combat Team 1st Infantry Division. The Big Red One, as the 1st ID is known, is the oldest continuously active division in the Army. 

Other units include the 3rd Sustainment Command, and the 19th Engineer Battalion. You’ll also find the 4th Cavalry Brigade, First Army Division East, the 95th Training Division, the 113th Band, and the 84th Training Command.

This hybrid Treasury Department-Army installation can trace its roots back to 1918. That’s when the War Department leased 40,000 acres of land from the Commonwealth of Kentucky to conduct artillery training. 

In 1932, the 1st Cavalry Regiment arrived at post and remained there until 2011. That’s when the Base Realignment and Closure commission merged the Armor Center and the Infantry Center and relocated both to Ft. Benning, Georgia as the Maneuver Center of Excellence.

Ft. Knox served as an important Navy testing site during the spring and summer of 1942. An all-wood mock-up of a Landing Ship Tank well deck was created to allow naval architects to track airflow and test vent systems. The building still stands at Ft. Knox and it’s one of the few remaining WWII structures on post. 

For two years during WWII, Ft. Knox was a POW camp. From 1944 until 1946, it housed Italian and German POWs. 

The Patton Museum opened its doors in 1949 and showcased armored vehicles associated with Gen. Patton. When the Korean War started, trainers from Ft. Knox formed the 72nd Tank Battalion and deployed to fight in the conflict. 

Then, in 1992 the Recruiting Command Headquarters relocated to post. In 1996, the last original M1 Abrams tank retired from Army service at a ceremony at Ft. Knox. 

These days, Ft. Knox is exclusively focused on career management of America’s next generation of Soldiers. 

Naturally, you’re going to want to get as close to the Knox gold as possible. Kidding, of course. Don't worry - there's plenty to without trying to get into the gold depository.            

Candlewood Suites Radcliff (800) 980-6467

Country Inn and Suites by Radisson Elizabethtown (270) 304-3428

Hampton Inn and Suites Radcliff (270) 351-5777

Holiday Inn Express Radcliff Fort Knox (270) 352-4329

Quality Inn and Suites Elizabethtown (270) 765-4166

Ramada by Wyndham Elizabethtown (270) 769-9683

Most of the classic Kentucky dishes you might associate with the state got their start in Louisville. So being stationed in Ft. Knox means you’ll have access to some of the most famous Kentucky dishes! You might want to try benedictine, a sandwich spread made from cream cheese, mayo, and cucumber. Of course, if you’re in Louisville, you’ll have to stop by the Brown Hotel for a Hot Brown sandwich. Derby pie is another region favorite, as is wilted lettuce. If you’re looking for sweets, try the apple stack cake. Legend has it the cake developed as a replacement for an expensive wedding cake for early Appalachians. 

Nearby Louisville and Elizabethtown offer plenty of excellent recreation options. Be sure to visit the Kentucky State Fair. This 11-day event attracts over half a million people to the Bluegrass State. It’s held in Louisville and has been a Kentucky staple since 1902. 

Bourbon fans, don’t skimp on the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, held in Bardstown, Kentucky. The “bourbon capital of the world” has been distilling spirits since 1776.  

Of course, the Kentucky Derby is an institution all on its own. Book tickets early as the event always sells out. 

On post, don’t miss out on seeing the Gen. George Patton Museum! It showcases the history of the Army’s Cavalry as well as Patton’s career. 

Unaccompanied housing is available to enlisted ranks E-1 to E-5. All single service members must report to their unit to be assigned barracks space.  

As soon as you receive orders, call the Housing Management Office. The HMO can help with community referrals, relocation assistance, and more. The office can also place you on a waiting list for on-post housing. 

Military housing is privatized at Ft. Knox. Lendlease owns and manages all housing on post. Knox Hills offers 20 neighborhoods with large floor plans to accommodate all family sizes. 

School-aged mil-kids living on post attend DODEA Americas Southeast schools. There are two elementary schools, a middle school, and one high school.

Why is Fort Knox so famous?

Ft. Knox is famous in the Army for being the home of Human Resources Command. In the civilian world, it’s famous because it’s where America stores its gold. 

Why is Fort Knox so heavily guarded?

It’s so heavily guided because of what’s inside the bullion depository vaults - gold! 

Has anyone been inside Fort Knox?

It’s really, really secure. So unless you’re there on the bequest of the Treasure, you’re not getting in. In fact, not much is known about what the inside of the repository is even like inside. 

Is it possible to break into Fort Knox?

Probably not. The United States Bullion Depository is surrounded by a steel fence and the building is made of concrete-lined granite and reinforced with steel. It’s equipped with the latest and most modern protection devices.