PWTM: Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico
Editor’s note: This post was updated in January 2021.
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 the 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 Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
Fort Buchanan is the only United States Army installation located on the island of Puerto Rico inside the capital city of San Juan. After passing hands between the Army and Navy a number of times, Fort Buchanan now consists of 746 acres and serves approximately 13,000 people, including military personnel and their families, as well as retirees and DoD civilians. It is used primarily for Reserve and National Guard units for forward operations in the Caribbean area.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Fort Buchanan is home to the following units:
- 1st Mission Support Command
- 1/350th Logistics Support Battalion
- 1st Battalion, 389th Regiment
- 81st Readiness Division
- 265 Headquarters, 5th Brigade, 94th TR
- 2/348th Battalion
- 98th Training Division FTS/1st Battalion, 389th Regiment
- 174th CTR Legal Operations Detachment
- 319 TC CO, Detachment 1 (FTS), CMD Army Reserve Regional Readiness Sustainment
- 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion
- Army Reserve Careers Division
- Joint Forces Headquarters Puerto Rico (JFHQ-PR)
- Headquarters Air National Guard Element, JFHQ-PR
- U.S. Marine Corps Detachment 1, Landing Support Company, Combat Logistics Regiment 45
- Navy Operational Support Center Puerto Rico
- Joint Task Force North
Surrounding Cities:
- Guayabo
- San Juan
- Catano
- Bayamon
Closest MAJOR City: San Juan
Names of Area Colleges (all located in San Juan):
- University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras
- American University of Puerto Rico
- Interamerican University of Puerto Rico
Weather: The weather in Puerto Rico is definitely tropical. You will experience year-round warmth with highs ranging from 84 to above 90 degrees. Your lows range from 67 to 74 degrees on average. One thing to be aware of when living in Puerto Rico is that there is a high risk of hurricanes during the season, which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30. June is the hottest month in San Juan, with an average temperature of 82 degrees, and the coldest month is January, with an average high of 77 degrees. The longest days are in October with nine hours of sunlight, and the rainiest month is November. The best month to swim in the sea is in August when the oceanic temperatures reach highs in the low to mid-80s.
Time Zone: Atlantic Standard Time, which coincides with the Eastern Time Zone.
SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION
To access the post website, click here.
Historical Facts/Landmarks: One year after signing the Treaty of Paris in Fort Buchanan in 1898, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States, and the island became an unincorporated United States territory. Around the same time, the Puerto Rico Regiment of Infantry was created. In 1901, Lt. Col. James Anderson Buchanan took command of the regiment, the man after which the Fort was named. Most recently, in 2017, when Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, Fort Buchanan served as the command center during the recovery efforts. Active-duty, reservist and National Guard units from the continental United States were mobilized from Fort Buchanan for emergency support, and thousands of service members were awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for their disaster relief efforts.
HOUSING
On-post Housing is managed by Fort Buchanan Army Family Housing Divison.
Major realty/rental companies in the area:
SCHOOLS
School Districts:
There are DODEA schools within the Fort Buchanan network. All remaining local school districts serve the surrounding San Juan area and will be offered in Spanish.
On-Post Schools
- Antilles Elementary School (Prekindergarten-5)
- Antilles Middle School (7-8)
- Antilles High School (9-12)
ON-POST SERVICES
- Child and Youth Services
- Army Community Service
- PX
- Commissary
- Buchanan Post Library
- Rodriguez Army Health Clinic
- MWR
- Chaplain & Religious Services/Organizations
OFF-POST INFORMATION
Health Care:
- Hospital: Hospital San Pablo in Bayamon, Hospital Metropolitano in San Juan, and Hospital El Maestro in San Juan
- General Practitioners: Contact Rodriguez Medical Center for any general practitioner needs.
- Dentist: Contact Rodriguez Medical Center for any dental needs.
- OB/GYN: Contact Rodriguez Medical Center for any OB/GYN needs.
Best place for beauty services:
- Stylique Salon on Fort Buchanan
- Mil Rosas Salon in San Juan
- Saline Salon in San Juan
RESTAURANTS
San Juan
Guaynabo
Toa Baja
MUST DO
San Juan, Puerto Rico and surrounding area
- Bioluminescent Bay
- El Younque National Forest
- Old San Juan
- Bacardi Rum Distillery
- Sierra de Luquillo Mountains
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: US Army Garrison Fort Buchanan
Military spouse groups: New to Fort Buchanan
