Moving to Fort Irwin
Fort Irwin sits in the Mojave Desert and hosts the National Training Center, where Army brigades train in realistic desert combat rotations. It is remote, so most families live on post, with Barstow the nearest town and Las Vegas and Los Angeles the nearest big cities.
| Branch | Army |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Barstow, CA |
| Population served | Over 20,000 soldiers, civilians and contractors work on the installation |
| Airports | Las Vegas (LAS) or Los Angeles (LAX); Ontario (ONT) is about 120 miles |
| Climate | High desert with hot summers |
| On-base housing | Michaels Management Services (community partner since 2015) |
| Medical care | Weed Army Community Hospital |
| Family support center | Army Community Service |
Where families live
On-post family housing
Michaels-managed housing; the installation says it can house all stationed families, though waitlists vary by season.
Barstow
Nearest town for shopping and rentals if you live off post.
Daggett / Yermo
Small Mojave communities near Barstow.
Schools
Silver Valley Unified School District runs K-12 schools in Fort Irwin, Daggett, Yermo, Newberry Springs and Calico. Contact the School Liaison Office before or when you arrive, and EFMP at ACS for special needs.
- Silver Valley Unified School District — Serves Fort Irwin and nearby desert communities.
Fort Irwin School Liaison Office, 760-380-6880
Things to do near Fort Irwin
- Calico Ghost Townday-tripRestored mining town about 15 miles away.
- Rainbow Basin Natural AreaoutdoorsColorful badlands near Barstow.
- Western America Railroad MuseummuseumRailroad history museum in Barstow.
- Mojave River MuseummuseumRegional history museum.
- Las Vegas and Los Angeles day tripsday-tripRoughly 3 hours or more depending on traffic.
Realtors & local services
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Local programs & support
- Fort Irwin Army Community Service / EFMPFamily support and special-needs coordination (760-380-3698).
PCS tips for Fort Irwin
- Fly into Las Vegas or Los Angeles; the post advises against Ontario unless someone is picking you up.
- Register privately owned weapons within 24 hours of arrival.
- Coordinate with your sponsor for transportation; Greyhound and FlixBus run Las Vegas to Barstow.
Benefits to use on this move
- Dislocation Allowance (DLA)Service members relocating a household on PCS orders
- Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE)Families who need a hotel or short-term rental while moving within the U.S.
- Personally Procured Move (PPM / DITY)Families who want to move some or all of their own goods
- VA Home Loan GuarantyService members, veterans and some surviving spouses buying a home
- Pet Transportation ReimbursementFamilies moving a cat or dog on PCS orders
- Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military ChildrenSchool-age children of active duty families changing schools
- School Liaison ProgramParents choosing schools and transferring records
Other installations in the California
Last researched 2026-10. Housing partners, school assignments and phone numbers change; confirm with the installation before you sign anything. Spot an error? Send a correction.