Fort McPherson

Fort McPherson, Georgia is one of the US Army operated military installations. It is situated in East Point, relatively close to Atlanta. Over the years, it was the headquarters of multiple centers and commands in the US Army, depending on the time and objectives. The fort was named in the memory of James Birdseye McPherson, a major general in the US Army.

History

Although the base is not as large as others, its history is very rich. The place has a military tradition since 1867, when the first post was established in the area. The post was upgraded with minor forts for the Union troops to enforce the laws throughout the years after the American Civil War. By 1881, the fort was about to be taken off. Its buildings were about to be sold at auctions. One of the buildings was turned into a school, later known as the Spelman College. A new post was supposed to be raised in 1885, after the army purchased a small field in the area. Its first major role was in the war between Spain and the United States of America. The fort was used to treat over 20000 injured troops, not to mention about the facility hosting the prisoners of war. There were not more than 16 prisoners incarcerated there. The old times prison is now known as the Post Chapel.

The purpose of Fort McPherson didn’t change much for the upcoming World War I. It was turned into a real hospital and the prison for the war prisoners was enlarged. At the same time, the fort had a few training camps for the officers dealing with it. The prison camp reached its highest population in 1918, hosting 1411 prisoners of war from Germany. Over 10000 patients were also treated during the war.

For World War II, the post kept its hospital for the injured troops. However, its activities were expanded. The fort was now a powerful recruitment center in the area. It also served as a general depot. Once the war ended, the fort became one of the highest populated settlements in the area, with over 200000 soldiers and many others waiting to be assigned.

Units

Fort McPherson is the home of the Army Reserve Command, the Army Central and the Army Forces Command, as well as the Installation Management and the Southeast Command. Each of them plays its own role for the good coordination of the fort. The Army Forces Command is the largest and most important command in the US Army. It deals with professional commanders worldwide.

Other than that, the fort also hosts a few less important tenant units.

Housing

In order to benefit from a solid and reliable housing system, you need to be assigned here for a longterm commitment. In this case, you will easily get a home, as your application will be processed faster, especially if you fill it up from time. If you are not that lucky, you may choose the privatized system or one of the hotels in the area.