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Arrival
from relocation guide
FORT SAM HOUSTON Arrival
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Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston
elcome to Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston! You are now part of a history that goes back to 1845, when the original Post at San Antonio was founded in the Alamo City. During that time, the Army established a garrison and regional headquarters utilizing rented buildings from the city and a Quartermaster supply depot in the Alamo. The Post was officially designated as Fort Sam Houston in 1890 and expanded again in 1905 with the Cavalry and Light Artillery Post.
Fort Sam Houston eventually evolved into the “Home of Army Medicine” after World War II and into the “Home of Military Medicine” with the establishment of the Medical Education and Training Campus in 2010.
The long history of the installation is one of the primary reasons that Fort Sam Houston boasts the largest number of historic structures out of any base in the United States. Careful preservation of these more than 900 buildings, and other historic areas, allows the post to live with its history while being surrounded by examples of the traditions of excellence established when the first soldier arrived here.
The post is proud of its historic role and the many initiatives to retain the historic character of the installation while serving as a modern model Joint Base for the future. A future that will most likely see many changes occur, and a future that the Army is ready for.
Many of America’s finest military personnel have served at Fort Sam Houston over the years. We hope you take pride in the legacy to which you belong now.
Upon arrival at Fort Sam Houston, officers should sign-in or register at the headquarters unit to which they have been assigned or attached. Enlisted soldiers should sign-in at the orderly room of the organization to which they have been assigned or attached. All soldiers, officers and enlisted should check with their unit personnel NCO and reference security processing.
Documents to Hand Carry
• DA Form 31 (original), Leave Form • Unit Clearance Documents • Five copies of orders • Records: Dental, Medical and Personnel
Newcomers’ Briefing
Newcomers’ Briefing is designed to help integrate the family into the community and to link support services and information to newly arrived families. Newcomers have the opportunity to gather information from more than 50 agencies. Each month the Extravaganza celebrates a different theme. Newcomers’ Extravaganza is held the last Tuesday of each month, January through November (not held in December).
One Stop In/Out Processing
1704 Stanley Road, Building 367 Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
Processing at Fort Sam Houston is all done in one convenient location. This processing center has the following offices:
Personnel Processing
Phone: (210) 221-9274/1008 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 7:30-15:00 Closed for Lunch: 11:30-13:00 In-Process: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Out-Processing: Tuesday and Thursday
Personnel processing administers the installation’s electronic out-processing system, processes incoming military personnel to verify accuracy and completeness of their military records and ensures soldiers are deployment ready upon reporting to their ultimate assignment unit. It coordinates with the officer or Enlisted Strength Management Section appropriately, to ensure proper assignment of incoming personnel. authorized family members, and to other authorized recipients. It also issues civilian ID cards to designated civilian personnel. This service is by appointment only, so call ahead.
Transportation
Phone: (210) 221-1605 Hours of Operation: Mon, Tues, Thurs. Friday: 7:30-15:15 Wednesday: 7:30-13:45 (Limited service on Fridays)
The transportation department arranges shipment and storage of personal property in connection with official orders (PCS, TDY Deployment). Requests for shipment/storage are done at group briefings.
ID Card Section
Phone: (210) 221-0415 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Thursday: 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
The ID card section issues identification and /or privilege cards to active duty, reservist and retired Army personnel and their
Finance Department
2410 Jassup RD. Phone: (210) 221-2025 Building - 4023 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m./Lunch: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Thursday open at 10:00 a.m.
The Finance Department provides in and out processing, separation and retirement, and permanent change of station travel processing. Individual payments processed include PCS travel advances and settlements, advance of military pay for PCS, DITY payments, TLE payments and emergency payments when necessary due to missing entitlements or erroneous collections. During in, out, and transition processing, soldier accounts are reviewed and corrected to ensure proper and timely payment of military pay and allowances. These include changes in Basic Allowance for housing, family separation and overseas.
Phone: (210) 221-1629 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
This department prepares reservations and issues tickets for all OCONUS travel (TDY and PCS) for all civilian, permanent party, students and their dependents.
Housing Management Office
The Housing Management Office assists Soldiers in finding suitable OffPost Housing in the San Antonio Area. Assistance is provided for PTDY, in home and apartment rentals, purchasing, selling or renting a home, and applying for utility waivers.
PUBLISHING
To register your car on post, bring your vehicle registration receipt, insurance card, driver’s license, and military or civilian ID card.
Drivers License - Texas Department of Public Safety
1633 Pat Booker Road Universal City, TX 78148 Phone: (210) 945-1900 Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tuesday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Active-duty military and family members who have a valid driver’s license from their home state do not have to get a Texas driver’s license; it is only necessary to take the written test. However, if the driver’s license has expired, even if only by one day, then the driving test will also have to be taken. If you own a vehicle and wish to obtain a Texas driver’s license, you need to show proof of insurance and Texas registration.
The minimum age for driving in Texas and Fort Sam Houston is 16 yrs. old with a driver’s education course.
Vehicle Inspections
Annual automobile inspections are required in Texas and must be completed before registering an automobile or obtaining a Texas license plate. Vehicle inspections are done at some local gas and inspection stations at the cost of $14.50 for in-state vehicles.
Seatbelts
You and your passengers must always wear seatbelts while driving. You will be ticketed and issued heavy fines if seatbelts are not secured. State law requires that all children under age eight or at least 4 feet 9 inches be properly restrained in child seats.
State Laws
Texas State law requires you to have sufficient liability insurance and a valid driver’s license in order to operate a vehicle. The term “vehicle” generally includes automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trailers and boats regularly parked or garaged overnight. Furthermore, your vehicle must be properly registered. Motorcycles and their operators are subject to special laws.
Auto Liability Insurance
In Texas, drivers who wish to operate their automobiles must be covered with at least liability insurance in accordance with the Texas Motor Safety Responsibility Act of 1981. Minimum limits are $30,000 to $60,000 bodily injury liability and $25,000 property damage liability for any licensed motor vehicle.
Communication Device
Vehicle drivers cannot use hand-held or hands-free communication devices such as cell phones, two way radios or electronic devices such as personal data assistants (PDA’s) while driving a vehicle. Vehicle drivers can operate these devices only once the vehicle has been safely stopped and the vehicle placed in park. This policy applies to all military and civilian personnel who operate vehicles on Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis.
Before registering your vehicle in Texas you will first need to have your vehicle inspected, this helps keep you and your passengers safe. Official vehicle inspection stations can be found conveniently near military bases in San Antonio.
Registration in the State of Texas
Within 30 days of moving to Texas you will need to have your vehicle registered and titled. Tax offices can help with registering your vehicle and issuing Texas license plates.
Driver’s License
You have up to 90 days after moving to Texas to secure a Texas driver’s license. If you present a current out of state driver’s license the written and driving test will be waived.
Auto Insurance
Texas requires that a person may not operate a vehicle unless financial responsibility is established for the vehicle. Texas law requires minimum coverage of $30,000 per injured person up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. This basic coverage is called 30/60/25 coverage. Failure to show proof of insurance may result in towing the vehicle in question and additional fines.
Common Reasons for Inspection Failures
Many inspections failures can be avoided. Please see the following list of items that typically cause a vehicle to fail when not in place or not in the proper condition: 1. Windshield Wipers 2. Brakes 3. Bulbs (Including turn signals, stop lights and head lights) 4. Parking Brake 5. Tires
Vehicle Inspection – What You Need
• Vehicle • Proof of Current Liability Insurance (Any
State) • Photo ID • Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card
• Valid Driver’s License • Proof of Current Liability Insurance • Your Current License Plate • VI-30 Issued During Vehicle Inspection • Payment: Cash, Check, Credit Card
Texas Driver’s License – What You Need
• Current Driver’s License • Payment: Cash
For additional information, please visit www.officialinspectionstation.com.
