I retired from active duty at this mid-Missouri post in 1992 but at that time it was all "engineers". Now, it's one of the Army's largest joint training installations (all services) and home to the Army's Engineer School, Military Police School and Chemical School. In sum, it's a very busy place. Driving around today, I saw a large amount of new construction, such as family housing shown here, as well as new barracks, headquarters, family support facilities, PX shopping center and superb sports complexes. And yet, I still saw some older troop barracks, most now empty due to units being deployed, and I wondered if there might be some of the same problems inside these buildings as has been just recently reported in the media, at Fort Bragg, NC. In that regard, I have one simple question. Where were the unit leaders and why were they not checking on the condition of the barrackes in which their Soldiers were housed? Maybe there's a good explanation, but so far I have yet to hear it. Anyway, Fort Leonard Wood looks pretty good when you drive around. Off post has also changed big time. Once there were lines of strip malls, "mom and pop" businesses, and typical places that always seem to pop up near a military installation. Today, there are major chain stores, large motels, chain restaurants, and new car dealerships by the dozens. All mostly built within the past five years or so. Any veteran who trained here during WWII, Korea or Vietnam would be amazed at how much the area has changed. Might be a neat trip to see it…that is if you can afford the price of gasoline.
