Fort Johnson PCS Guide: BAH, Housing, Schools & JRTC Intel

BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front)

Fort Johnson (formerly Fort Polk until June 2023) is the Army's premier combat training center with 7,500 permanent party + constant rotations. Home to JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center), it offers rural Louisiana living, affordable cost of living, and unique training mission—but limited spouse employment and weak schools.

Key Numbers:

BAH vs. Rent: Comfortable surplus (rural Louisiana rent is cheap—BAH covers 3BR house with $500-1,000 buffer)
Median 3BR Rent: $1,000-1,400/month (very affordable)
School Quality: Below average (Vernon Parish 5-6/10), Alexandria better (6-7/10)
Deployment Tempo: MODERATE-HIGH (10th Mountain units deploy, JRTC cadre stable but TDY-heavy)

What This Guide Covers: Leesville housing with real prices, Vernon Parish school reality, JRTC rotation culture, and rural Louisiana survival guide.

Quick Facts

Installation Overview:

Official Name: Fort Johnson (renamed from Fort Polk, June 2023)
Location: Leesville, LA (Vernon Parish, 60 miles north of Lake Charles)
Size: 198,000 acres (largest Army post in Louisiana)
Population: 7,500 permanent party + 5,000+ rotational forces (JRTC ops)
Branch: Army
Major Units: JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center), 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain Division, 115th Combat Support Hospital
Mission: Combat training rotations (JRTC = "Army's crucible"), home station for 3rd BCT/10th Mountain
Climate: Hot humid Louisiana (90-100°F summers), mild winters (40-60°F), heavy rain year-round
Nearest Major City: Alexandria, LA (60 miles east)

Want real-time data? This guide provides current rates and static intel. For live housing prices, current school ratings, and personalized recommendations, use Base Navigator → (Premium)

BAH Rates

BAH Rates for Fort Johnson

Official rates from DFAS (updated annually in our database)

Select Your Rank

BAH rates are updated annually by DFAS. Actual amount depends on your rank, dependency status, and duty station. These rates are tax-free and designed to cover average housing costs in your area.

Key Insight: Rural Louisiana rent is very affordable—BAH comfortably covers rent with $500-1,000/month buffer. E5 BAH ($1,600-1,800) covers nice 3BR house in Leesville with cash left over for utilities and savings. This is a financial win despite limited local economy.

BAH rates sourced from Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), updated annually. See official source →

Housing Neighborhoods (Ranked)

Top Tier Off-Base (Best Options, Commute 10-20 min)

1. Leesville (South of Base) (Zip: 71446)

Distance: 5 miles south (10 min via US-171)
Median 3BR Rent: $1,000-1,300/month
School District: Vernon Parish Schools (5-6/10 - below average)
Why Here: Closest town, most military-friendly, newer construction (post-2000s)
Commute: US-171 north to Fort Johnson gates—light traffic (10 min)
Grocery/Shopping: Walmart Supercenter, Brookshire's, strip malls, chain restaurants
Reality: Most popular for Fort Johnson families—cheap rent, short commute, military-friendly landlords, but schools are weak (5-6/10). Leesville IS Fort Johnson—entire economy revolves around base.

2. DeRidder (Zip: 70634)

Distance: 20 miles south (25 min via US-171)
Median 3BR Rent: $1,100-1,400/month
School District: Beauregard Parish Schools (6-7/10 - slightly better than Vernon Parish)
Why Here: Larger town (10,000+ population), better schools, more shopping
Commute: US-171 north to Fort Johnson—light traffic (25 min)
Grocery/Shopping: Walmart, Brookshire's, Home Depot, local shops
Reality: Best schools near Fort Johnson (6-7/10 vs 5-6/10 Vernon Parish). Worth the extra 15-min commute if kids are school-age. Rent slightly higher ($100-200/month more).

Mid-Tier Off-Base (Alternative Options, Commute 30-60 min)

3. Alexandria (Zip: 71301, 71303)

Distance: 60 miles east (60-75 min via US-165/US-71)
Median 3BR Rent: $1,200-1,600/month
School District: Rapides Parish Schools (6-7/10 - mixed, some charter schools better)
Why Here: Largest city in region (50,000+ population), shopping, dining, entertainment
Commute: US-165 west to US-71 north—long commute (60-75 min each way = 2+ hours daily)
Reality: Few Fort Johnson families live here—commute is brutal (120+ miles/day round-trip). Only worth it if spouse has high-paying job in Alexandria or you MUST have better schools/city amenities.

On-Base Housing (Reliable but Wait Times)

Fort Johnson On-Base Housing:

Managed by Corvias Solutions
2,200+ units (2BR-4BR townhomes, single-family homes)
Wait Times: 3-6 months typical (varies by unit size/rank)
Cost: No rent (covered by BAH), no utility bills (electric/water/trash included)
Pros: No commute (5-min to work), on-base schools (DoDEA), community amenities (pools, playgrounds, sports fields)
Cons: Older construction (many units 1970s-90s), some maintenance issues (Corvias complaints), base restrictions

Reality: On-base housing is good value—no rent/utilities, short commute, DoDEA schools (7/10 vs Vernon Parish 5-6/10). Worth the wait list for families with kids.

Avoid These Areas

Anacoco: 15 miles west—rural, limited services, isolated
Rosepine: 25 miles west—small town, few rentals, long commute

Pro Tip: Stay in Leesville (most convenient, cheap rent) or DeRidder (better schools, still affordable). Avoid Alexandria unless spouse has compelling job (60+ min commute brutal).

Schools

Vernon Parish Schools (Leesville - Below Average)

Reality: Vernon Parish schools are below average (5-6/10 ratings)—aging facilities, limited AP offerings, below-state-average test scores.

Leesville High School: 5/10 rating - Adequate but not strong, limited college prep Pickering High School: 6/10 rating - Slightly better, smaller campus Middle/Elementary: 5-6/10 range - Functional but not competitive

Pro Tip: If schools are priority, consider DeRidder (Beauregard Parish, 6-7/10) or on-base DoDEA schools (7/10).

Beauregard Parish Schools (DeRidder - Slightly Better)

DeRidder High School: 6-7/10 rating - Better than Vernon Parish, decent academics South Beauregard High School: 6/10 rating - Rural campus, adequate programs

Reality: Best local public schools near Fort Johnson—worth the extra 15-min commute from DeRidder if kids are school-age.

DoDEA Schools (On-Base - Best Option)

Fort Johnson Elementary/Middle School:

7/10 rating - Best schools at Fort Johnson
Small class sizes, military-connected students
Priority enrollment for on-base residents

Reality: DoDEA schools are best option for Fort Johnson families—7/10 rating beats Vernon Parish (5-6/10) and Beauregard Parish (6-7/10). Another reason to choose on-base housing.

Compare school ratings across neighborhoods: Base Navigator → shows real-time school data for Vernon Parish/Beauregard Parish

Local Intel

Cost of Living

Overall: 25% lower vs. national average — Rural Louisiana is CHEAP
Housing: 40% lower vs. national average — Rent is extremely affordable
Groceries: 15% lower vs. national average — Walmart/Brookshire's competitive
Gas: 10% lower vs. national average — $2.80-3.40/gallon typical

Monthly Budget for E5 with 2 Kids:

Rent (3BR Leesville): $1,100
Utilities (electric, water, internet, trash): $250 (AC runs 24/7 in summer—electric spikes)
Groceries: $700 (commissary + Walmart mix)
Gas: $200 (10-mile daily commute)
Childcare (if needed): $700-1,000/month (daycare) or $0 (on-base CDC wait list 3-6 months)
Misc (dining, entertainment): $300

Total: $3,350/month (with childcare) or $2,550 (without)

BAH Coverage: E5 BAH with dependents (Fort Johnson) = ~$1,700/month (2025). BAH covers rent + utilities + $350 buffer. Groceries/gas/childcare come from base pay, but Louisiana is cheap—savings potential is excellent.

Savings Potential: Excellent—expect to save $500-1,000/month if disciplined. Fort Johnson is one of the best financial assignments in the Army.

State Taxes: Louisiana has state income tax (1.85-4.25% progressive). Military pay is taxable. E5 with dependents expect $100-200/month withheld.

Pro Tip: Fort Johnson = financial winner—cheap rent + BAH surplus + low cost of living = best savings opportunity. Use it to pay off debt, build emergency fund, or invest.

Traffic & Commute Reality

AM Rush (0600-0800):

US-171 North to Fort Johnson (from Leesville): Light (10 min)
US-171 North to Fort Johnson (from DeRidder): Light (25 min)

PM Rush (1600-1730):

US-171 South from Fort Johnson: Light (10-25 min depending on destination)

Weekend Traffic:

Nonexistent—rural Louisiana, no gridlock

Pro Tip: Traffic is never an issue at Fort Johnson—rural roads, light volume. Leesville (10 min) or DeRidder (25 min) both easy commutes.

Commissary & Exchange

Fort Johnson Commissary:

Large, well-stocked (full grocery selection)
Open 7 days/week (0900-1900 weekdays, 0800-1800 weekends)
Save 20-30% vs local grocery stores (Brookshire's competitive but commissary still wins)

Fort Johnson Exchange (PX):

Full-service (electronics, clothing, food court, barber, Class Six)
Gas station (5-10 cents/gallon cheaper than off-base)

Off-Base Shopping:

Walmart Supercenter (Leesville, DeRidder) - Cheap, full selection
Brookshire's (local chain) - Decent quality, slightly pricier than Walmart

Reality: Commissary is essential—off-base options limited in rural Louisiana. Use commissary for big trips, Walmart for quick runs.

Weather & Climate (Louisiana Reality)

Subtropical Climate:

Spring (Mar-May): 70-85°F, humid, thunderstorms
Summer (Jun-Aug): 90-100°F, very humid, daily thunderstorms
Fall (Sep-Nov): 70-85°F, still humid, hurricane season (Aug-Oct)
Winter (Dec-Feb): 40-60°F, mild, occasional freeze

Louisiana Reality:

Humidity: Oppressive year-round (70-90%), AC essential ($200-300/month electric bills summer)
Rain: 60+ inches/year (wettest region in US), flooding common
Hurricanes: 200 miles inland but can still get tropical storms/heavy rain
Bugs: Mosquitoes, roaches, fire ants (spray/pest control essential)

Military Considerations:

JRTC ops continue in all weather (rain, heat, humidity = realistic training conditions)
Mold/mildew common in housing (dehumidifiers essential)
Outdoor gear rusts fast (humidity)

Pro Tip: Louisiana is HOT and HUMID—budget $200-300/month summer electric bills (AC runs 24/7). Buy dehumidifiers for closets/bedrooms to prevent mold.

What's It Like to Live at Fort Johnson?

JRTC Culture & Quality of Life

JRTC Reality:
Fort Johnson is JRTC (Joint Readiness Training Center)—the Army's premier light infantry training center. Every light infantry/airborne unit rotates through JRTC for brutal 2-3 week field exercises in Louisiana swamps. If you're assigned to Fort Johnson, you either:

Permanent Party (10th Mountain BCT): Home station for 3rd Brigade 10th Mountain—expect deployments + JRTC rotations
JRTC Cadre (Observer/Controllers): Run training rotations—stable (no deployments) but TDY-heavy (30-40 weeks/year in field)

Typical Fort Johnson Life:

10th Mountain Soldiers: Deploy to combat zones (Afghanistan, Iraq, Africa) every 12-18 months + JRTC pre-deployment training
JRTC Cadre: No deployments but 40-50% of year in the field (Louisiana swamps, hot/humid, not glamorous)
Support Units: Hospital, logistics, admin—more stable schedules

Quality of Life (Pros):

✅ Affordable living: Louisiana is cheap—save $500-1,000/month easily
✅ BAH surplus: Rent is $1,000-1,400, BAH is $1,700+ = cash left over
✅ Unique mission: JRTC = prestigious training assignment (resume builder for cadre)
✅ Outdoor recreation: Fishing, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest hiking
✅ New Orleans: 3 hours south (weekend trips, culture, food)

Quality of Life (Cons):

❌ Rural isolation: Leesville is tiny (6,000 people), limited dining/entertainment
❌ Weak schools: Vernon Parish 5-6/10 (DeRidder 6-7/10 slightly better)
❌ Spouse employment: Limited job market (Leesville IS Fort Johnson—few civilian jobs)
❌ Hot/humid climate: 90-100°F summers, oppressive humidity, mosquitoes
❌ JRTC ops tempo: Cadre spend 40-50% of year in field, 10th Mountain deploy regularly

Honest Assessment:
Fort Johnson is the best financial assignment in the Army (cheap rent, BAH surplus, save $500-1,000/month)—but it's rural, isolated, and hot. Schools are weak, spouse jobs are scarce, and climate is brutal. Best for: Soldiers who prioritize financial savings, don't mind rural living, and have spouses who can work remotely or don't need high income. Worst for: Families who prioritize elite schools, spouse career advancement, or urban amenities.

Cost of Living Breakdown

Real Numbers (E5 with Dependents):

Leesville Example (Best Value):

Rent: $1,100/month (3BR house, typical Leesville)
Utilities: $250/month (electric, water, internet, trash—AC expensive in summer)
Commute: 10 min (gas $200/month)
Groceries: $700/month (commissary + Walmart mix)
Childcare: $800/month (off-base daycare) or $0 (on-base CDC)
Misc: $300

Total Monthly: $3,350 (with childcare) or $2,550 (without)

On-Base Example (Zero Rent/Utilities):

Rent: $0 (covered by BAH)
Utilities: $0 (included in on-base housing)
Commute: 5 min (gas $100/month)
Groceries: $700/month
Childcare: $0 (on-base CDC)
Misc: $300

Total Monthly: $1,100

BAH Reality:
E5 BAH with dependents (Fort Johnson) = ~$1,700/month (2025). BAH covers rent + utilities + $350 buffer. Leesville rent ($1,100) + utilities ($250) = $1,350 total housing cost—well under BAH.

Savings Potential:

Off-Base with Childcare: Modest ($200-500/month)
Off-Base without Childcare: Excellent ($500-1,000/month)
On-Base without Childcare: Elite ($1,500-2,000/month saved—best in Army)

State Income Tax:
Louisiana taxes military pay (1.85-4.25% progressive). E5 with dependents expect $100-200/month withheld. Sales tax 9.45% (state + local).

Pro Tip: Fort Johnson is the Army's savings champion—on-base housing with no childcare costs = save $1,500-2,000/month. Use this assignment to eliminate debt, build 6-month emergency fund, or max TSP contributions.

Spouse Employment & Family Life

Job Market Reality

Overview:
Leesville job market is extremely limited—entire economy revolves around Fort Johnson. Few civilian employers, low wages, scarce professional jobs. Remote work is best option if spouse needs income.

Top Employers (Spouse-Friendly):

Fort Johnson (NAF/GS civilian jobs): Retail, admin, CDC, MWR ($12-18/hr, limited openings)
Leesville schools: Teacher, aide, support staff ($30K-45K/year)
Walmart/Fast Food: Retail, food service ($10-14/hr)
Healthcare (Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital): Nursing, admin, medical support ($18-25/hr, limited civilian slots)
Remote Work: Best option—work for employer outside Louisiana (keep CONUS salary, live on Louisiana COL)

Typical Salaries (Leesville):

Retail/Fast Food: $10-14/hr
Office Admin: $14-18/hr
Registered Nurse: $25-32/hr (Bayne-Jones, Lake Charles hospitals)
Teacher: $40K-50K/year (Louisiana teacher pay low)

Reality Check:
Local jobs pay 30-50% below national average and professional jobs are scarce. Spouse employment is biggest challenge at Fort Johnson. Best strategy: Remote work for mainland company (keep CONUS salary, live on Louisiana budget = best financial outcome).

Childcare Availability

On-Base CDC:

Fort Johnson Child Development Center - $500-1,000/month (rank/income based)
Wait List: 3-6 months typical (apply immediately after PCS orders)
Hours: 0600-1800 weekdays (shift-friendly)

Off-Base Daycare:

Cost: $700-1,000/month (full-time, infant/toddler)
Availability: Limited—few licensed daycares in Leesville
Quality: Variable (research carefully, check LA DCFS licensing)

Pro Tip: On-base CDC saves $200-500/month vs off-base. Apply day you get PCS orders—wait list is manageable.

Family Life & Recreation

What Makes Fort Johnson Challenging for Families:

❌ Weak schools (Vernon Parish 5-6/10, DoDEA 7/10 best option)
❌ Limited spouse employment (remote work essential)
❌ Rural isolation (Leesville tiny, limited dining/entertainment)
❌ Hot/humid climate (90-100°F summers, oppressive humidity)

What Makes Fort Johnson Manageable:

✅ Affordable living (save $500-1,000+/month)
✅ Outdoor recreation (fishing, hunting, Kisatchie National Forest)
✅ New Orleans proximity (3 hours south, weekend trips)
✅ Military community (tight-knit, everyone in same boat)

Family Activities (Free/Low-Cost):

Fort Johnson MWR: Free pools, gyms, bowling, movie theater, outdoor recreation rentals
Kisatchie National Forest: 600,000 acres (hiking, camping, fishing, hunting)
Toledo Bend Reservoir: 30 min west (boating, fishing, camping)

Family Activities (Paid):

Alexandria Zoo: 60 miles east ($8 adult, $6 child)
New Orleans: 3 hours south (French Quarter, zoo, aquarium, museums)
Lake Charles: 60 miles south (beach, casino, dining)

Common Questions About Fort Johnson

Q: Is Fort Johnson a good duty station?
A: Depends on priorities. Fort Johnson is the best financial assignment in the Army (cheap rent, BAH surplus, save $500-1,000+/month)—but it's rural, isolated, and hot. Schools are weak (Vernon Parish 5-6/10), spouse jobs are scarce, and Leesville is tiny. Best for soldiers who prioritize financial savings over schools/spouse career/urban amenities. Worst for families needing elite schools or spouse career advancement.

Q: What's JRTC like?
A: Brutal but prestigious. JRTC is the Army's premier light infantry training center—2-3 week field exercises in Louisiana swamps (hot, humid, miserable). Every light infantry/airborne unit rotates through pre-deployment. If you're JRTC cadre (Observer/Controller), you run rotations but spend 40-50% of year in field (not deployed but also not home). If you're 10th Mountain, you deploy regularly (12-18 months) + JRTC pre-deployment training.

Q: Should I live on-base or off-base?
A: On-base for most families. On-base housing = no rent/utilities ($0 out-of-pocket), short commute (5 min), DoDEA schools (7/10 vs Vernon Parish 5-6/10), and maximum savings ($1,500-2,000/month if no childcare). Off-base (Leesville) saves money too ($500-1,000/month) but on-base is financial champion. Only go off-base if wait list is long or you MUST have more space.

Q: How bad are the schools at Fort Johnson?
A: Weak—Vernon Parish (Leesville) schools are 5-6/10 (below average). DeRidder (Beauregard Parish) is slightly better (6-7/10). DoDEA schools on-base are best option (7/10)—another reason to choose on-base housing. If schools are top priority, Fort Johnson is not the assignment—consider declining if possible.

Q: Can my spouse find a job in Leesville?
A: Very difficult—Leesville job market is tiny (town of 6,000, economy = Fort Johnson). Few civilian employers, low wages ($10-18/hr retail/admin). Best option: Remote work for employer outside Louisiana (keep CONUS salary, live on Louisiana COL = huge financial win). If spouse needs in-person job, expect limited options and low pay.

Q: What's the best neighborhood for Fort Johnson families?
A: On-base housing (best value: no rent/utilities, DoDEA schools, short commute). If off-base, Leesville (cheapest: $1,000-1,300 rent, 10-min commute, but 5-6/10 schools) or DeRidder (better schools: 6-7/10, $1,100-1,400 rent, 25-min commute). Avoid Alexandria (60+ min commute brutal).

Q: How do I survive the Louisiana heat and humidity?
A: Budget for AC and bugs. Electric bills spike $200-300/month in summer (AC runs 24/7). Buy dehumidifiers for closets/bedrooms (prevent mold). Pest control essential (mosquitoes, roaches, fire ants). Stay hydrated—Louisiana summers are oppressive (90-100°F + 80% humidity = miserable). New Orleans is 3 hours south—weekend escapes help morale.

Q: Is Fort Johnson worth it financially?
A: Absolutely—Fort Johnson is the Army's savings champion. Cheap rent ($1,000-1,400), BAH surplus ($350-700), low cost of living = save $500-1,000+/month easily. On-base housing with no childcare = save $1,500-2,000/month (best in Army). Use this assignment to pay off debt, build emergency fund, max TSP, or save for home down payment. Trade-off: weak schools, limited spouse jobs, rural isolation.

Next Steps

Planning Your Fort Johnson PCS

1. Choose On-Base vs Off-Base
On-base = best financial decision (no rent/utilities, DoDEA schools). Off-base Leesville = cheap ($1,000-1,300 rent). DeRidder = better schools (6-7/10) but longer commute (25 min).

2. Apply for On-Base Housing & CDC
Fort Johnson on-base housing wait list is 3-6 months—apply day you get PCS orders. On-base CDC saves $200-500/month vs off-base.

3. Calculate Your Budget
Use our PCS Copilot → to generate your custom 180-day timeline with JTR-compliant entitlements and Louisiana-specific cost projections.

Based on Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Official regulations →

4. Plan for Spouse Remote Work
Local job market is scarce—remote work for mainland employer is best financial strategy (keep CONUS salary, live on Louisiana COL = huge savings).

5. Maximize Financial Opportunity
Fort Johnson = Army's savings champion. Use this assignment to eliminate debt, build 6-month emergency fund, or max TSP contributions. LES Auditor → ensures your BAH and pay are correct.

6. Ask Questions
Use Ask Military Expert → for specific Fort Johnson questions—our AI has 6,539 military knowledge embeddings including JRTC rotation intel.

Official Resources & References

This guide synthesizes data from official Department of Defense sources. For additional information:

Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) - Official military pay and allowances
Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) - PCS entitlements and regulations
MilitaryOneSource - Free 24/7 counseling and family support
Defense Travel Management Office - Official BAH rates and per diem
Fort Johnson Official Site - Base information, contacts, welcome packets
JRTC Official Site - Training center information, rotation schedules

Last verified: January 24, 2025. Garrison Ledger is an independent resource and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense.

Fort Johnson PCS Guide - Housing & Local Intel