Editor’s note: This post was updated November 2020.
One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS, or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.
We here at Army Wife Network want to take some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post With the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Grafenwoehr, Germany, part of United States Army Garrison Bavaria.
Grafenwoehr is the hub of United States Army Garrison Bavaria, which includes Grafenwoehr, Vilseck, Hohenfels, and Garmisch. It is located in Germany in the beautiful state of Bavaria. Not only does the installation offer a unique military experience, it also offers the chance to discover Germany and other European countries in the area. You are only a short drive from Czech, Poland, and Austria, and can drive, fly, or take a train to a number of other locations. Moving overseas can be daunting, but don’t let it scare you. You will have the unique opportunity to partake in German customs and traditions, learn a new language (or at least some of it), and experience the food.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Grafenwoehr (also known as Tower Barracks) is home to the following units:
- 7th Army Training Command
- 106th Financial Management Support Unit
- 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion
- 23rd Ordnance Company
- 1st Inland Cargo Transfer Company
- 702nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal
- 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion
- 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment
- 4th Battalion, 319th Feld Artillery Regiment
- 15th Engineer Battalion
- 928th Contracting Battalion
- 534th Engineer Detachment
- 262nd Military Police Detachment
- 18th Military Police Brigade
- 69th Signal Battalion
- 709th Military Police Battalion
- 615th Military Police Company
- 131st Military Working Dog Detachment
- 7th Warrior Training Brigade
- 457th Civilian Affairs Battalion
- 1172nd Movement Control Team
- 102nd Strategic Signal Battalion
- 66th Military Intelligence Brigade
- G company, 52nd Aviation Regiment
- 39th Transportation Battalion
- 928th Contracting Battalion
Vilseck (also known as Rose Barracks) is home to the following units:
- 2nd Cavalry Regiment, consisting of multiple maneuver and support squadrons
- 102nd Signal Battalion
- 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron
- 39th Transportation Battalion
Surrounding Cities:
- Grafenwoehr city (separate from the installation; right outside the gate)
- Pressath (8 kilometers)
- Freihung (17 kilometers)
- Weiden (22 kilometers)
Closest MAJOR Cities: Amberg (39 kilometers) and Nuremberg (92 kilometers)
Names of Area Colleges: All are offered through the USAG Bavaria Education Centers
- University of Maryland University College: Grafenwoehr and Vilseck
- Central Texas College
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- University of Oklahoma at Vilseck
Weather: The weather in Germany can be a number of extremes, but you will surely experience all four seasons. Be prepared for long spurts of clouds, rain, and snow during various times of the year. Fall brings beautiful colors to the Bavarian countryside that you won’t want to miss. Winter is a crapshoot: there can be a large snowfall one year and other years it may be minimal. It can snow from October through April. It can get very cold, so you’ll want good winter clothing to get you through the season. Spring is very mild and can last well into June with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. Summer is also fairly mild, though there tend to be a few hot days. Germany doesn’t have air conditioning, so you may want to purchase extra fans to help keep you cool on those rare hot days.
Time Zone: Central Europe Time
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the post website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks: History is everywhere in Germany, and Grafenwoehr is no exception. According to Stripes, there are ruins scattered all over the training area. The town of Grafenwoehr dates back to the 9th century and was originally made up of more than 58 small villages in what is now known as the training area. The Third Reich removed villagers in 1938 (many moved to nearby Vilseck) and expanded what was an artillery range into a large training area. Not far from the entrance to the Grafenwoehr installation is the Upper Platinate Culture and Military Museum Grafenwoehr (Oberpfälzer Kultur- und Militärmuseum Grafenwöhr). The museum is full of Bavarian, German, and American history of Grafenwoehr, featuring exhibits with old clothing, furniture, antiques, and military displays featuring jets, rockets, bombers, and more.
HOUSING
On-post Housing is managed by Army Housing.
Grafenwoehr housing, like a lot of overseas housing, is different than what you find stateside. Most of the time, you won’t be able to get put on a waitlist until you arrive at the installation. From there, you will be offered a house in either on-post housing, off-post government-leased housing, or receive a statement of non-availability to choose a private rental on the German economy.
Grafenwoehr offers a few different options. There are two main off-post housing communities. One is Netzaberg, a community right off post with its own church, school, and shoppette. The other is Weiden, which is 20 minutes from post. There are also smaller communities scattered throughout.
Vilseck has a large number of on-post housing options, and there are government-leased options in the town of Vilseck.
If you must find a private rental, some good towns to search in are Freihung, Weiden, Amberg, and Eschenbach.
SCHOOLS
School Districts: All schools are a part of DoDEA Europe-East District. If you will be at one of the smaller installations within the USAG Bavaria footprint, click the DoDEA Europe link to view the schools on your installation.
On-Post Schools
- Elementary: Grafenwoehr Elementary (preschool-5), Netzaberg Elementary (PreK-5), and Vilseck Elementary (preschool-5).
- Middle: Netzaberg Middle School (6-8)
- High School: Vilseck High School (9-12)
Off-Post Schools: German Kindergarten may be available for ages 3-6 in Vilseck and Grafenwoehr. Check with individual kindergartens for enrollment requirements.
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- Grafenwoehr Main Exchange and Vilseck PX (Vilseck’s PX houses the AAFES furniture store, a good place to purchase American-style furniture)
- Grafenwoehr Commissary and Vilseck Commissary
- Tower Barracks Library and Rose Barracks Library
- Grafenwoehr Army Health Clinic and Vilseck Army Health Clinic
- MWR
- Bavaria Community and Spouses’ Club
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
- United Services Organization
“One of the best perks on the post is the USO! You can make international calls for free from their phones, which is so helpful when you first arrive. They also have free Wifi, games, food and snacks, and host a number of events.” —Jasmine K.
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospital: Kliniken Nordoberpfalz in Weiden and Klinikum St. Marien in Amberg (best for young children). If using an emergency room, be sure to notify Tricare Overseas either before your visit or within 24 hours of your visit to receive authorization for and prevent charges.
- Urgent Care: Urgent Care clinics are not common in the area, so you will either need to visit an emergency room or wait for an appointment with your PCM.
- General Practitioners: All general practitioner care is provided on-post by your assigned PCM. To see an off-post provider, you will need either a referral from the installation clinic or pay entirely out of pocket for your care. If you require specialty care from an off-post provider, a referral will be provided along with a list of provider recommendations.
- Dentist: Dental care is provided on-post, including pediatric dental care. If you choose to see an off-post dentist, check with the installation dental office for approved dentists in the area.
- OBGYN: All OB care is referred off-post, but you get to choose from a number of providers and even which hospital you’d like to deliver with. Some recommended options include Weiden, Amberg (which houses the NICU), Sulzbach, Rosenberg, and Eschenbach (right outside Netzaberg).
Best place for beauty services: Stroell’s Hairteam in Vilseck (they speak English) or “The Spa” located on post (services include nails, massage, and waxing).
Shopping/malls: Rotmain-Center Bayreuth, City Center Weiden, and downtown Amberg.
RESTAURANTS
Grafenwoehr:
Vilseck:
Freihung:
Amberg:
- Steakhaus Kupferpfandl, also known as “Frenchy’s”
MUST DO
Grafenwoehr:
- Learn about the area at the Museum for Cultural and Military History Grafenwoehr
Eschenbach:
- Attend any number of festivals offered by the area
ParksteinK
- Visit the Parkstein Volcano
Weiden:
- Visit the Weiden Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Sunday (some other farmers’ markets near Grafenwoehr are listed on the same link)
- Wander through historic Weiden, with its Renaissance and Art Nouveau architecture (many buildings date back to the 1400’s and 1500’s)
- Tour St. Joseph’s Church
- Don’t miss the Weiden Christmas Market, the second oldest market in Bavaria
- Enjoy the indoor/outdoor pool or ice arena at Freizeitzentrum Weiden, open year-round
Neustadt:
Flossenburg:
Pottenstein:
- Take a dip in the natural springs pool
- Ride the summer toboggan, take out a pedal boat, or hop on the bungee trampoline at Rodelmekka Pottenstein or just stay for a camping trip and hiking paths
Nuremberg
- Visit the Germanisches National Museum for some German cultural history
- Explore the underground tunnels of the city with tours ranging from World War II art bunkers, to beer-making, to ghost tours, special tours for children, and more
- Stop by Nuremberg Castle
- See the stunning Church of Our Lady
- Spend a day at the Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Germany’s most famous Christmas market featuring craftsmen from around the world (seasonal, usually opens sometime after Thanksgiving and runs until Christmas Eve)
- Drop by Albrecht Durer’s house
- Visit the Documentation Center and Nazi Party Rally Grounds
- Take the kids to the Nuremberg Toy Museum
- Wander through Nuremberg’s Old Town
Don’t miss some of the further cities like Munich (2.5 hours), Dresden (3 hours), Frankfurt (3.5 hours), Garmisch (stay at the DoD facility “Edelweiss” for a little slice of America in the gorgeous Bavarian Alps), Berlin (4 hours), and more. Never turn down an opportunity to travel to any of the surrounding countries and to plan extended trips to some other exciting locations like Salzburg, Prague, Paris, London, Zurich, Rome, and more!
SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS:
Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.
Installation Facebook Page: U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria
Military Spouse Groups:
Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:
- Vilseck/Grafenwohr Buy\Sell\Trade
- Graf/Vilseck Garage Sales
- Graf Internet Yard Sale
- Graf/Vilseck FCFS Sales
Religious services:
SPOUSE TESTIMONIALS
“Moving to a foreign country can be scary, but Grafenwoehr is in beautiful Bavaria. The place travel junkies dream about! Get out and enjoy every season! Also take advantage of how easy visiting other countries can be. You won’t regret a single day!” — Leslie W.
“Grafenwoehr was our very first duty station, and it will always be my favorite. The military community has a wonderful support system for families, and the surrounding German communities are friendly and welcoming. There is so much to see and do in the area, and travel to bigger cities and new countries is incredibly easy and inexpensive.” — Jasmine K.
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