Army Bases in and Around Atlanta, Georgia: What You Need to Know

If you’re searching for “Army base Atlanta Georgia”, you’re probably trying to figure out where the nearest Army installations are, how they connect to life in Atlanta, and what that means for work, housing, commuting, or visiting family stationed nearby.

Atlanta does not have a large, active-duty Army post inside the city limits. However, the metro area is surrounded by key Army installations and facilities that play a major role in the region’s economy, transportation, and military community.

This guide breaks down the closest Army bases to Atlanta, how they’re used, and what Atlanta residents, visitors, and service members should know.

Is There an Army Base in Atlanta, Georgia?

There is no large active-duty Army “fort” or traditional post located directly in the City of Atlanta.

However, Atlanta is:

• A major transportation hub for Army personnel moving through Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
• Home to several Army Reserve and National Guard facilities.
• Within reasonable driving distance of multiple major Army installations that many Atlantans commute to or have family stationed at.

When people say “Army base in Atlanta,” they often mean one of the bigger nearby posts such as Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) or Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), or they’re thinking of Dobbins Air Reserve Base and Army units that operate around it.

Major Army Installations Near Atlanta

Here are the primary Army-related installations that matter most if you live in or travel from Atlanta.

Fort Moore (Formerly Fort Benning) – Columbus, GA

Approximate distance from downtown Atlanta: ~110 miles southwest (about 1.5–2 hours by car)

What it is:
Fort Moore is one of the largest and most important Army installations in Georgia. It’s a major training center and home to multiple schools and units.

Why it matters to Atlanta:

• Many Atlanta-area soldiers are stationed there or travel there for training.
• Families may live in the Atlanta metro area and commute or split time between Atlanta and Columbus.
• It’s a common destination for basic training graduations and advanced individual training visitors flying into Atlanta and then driving down.

Typical reasons an Atlantan might go to Fort Moore:

• Attending a graduation ceremony.
• Reporting for Active Duty or training.
• Accessing on-post services (medical, legal, ID cards, and more) if they’re authorized.

📝 Getting there from Atlanta:

• Most people drive via I-85 South, then connect toward Columbus.
• Some visitors fly into Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and rent a car or arrange a shuttle.

Fort Eisenhower (Formerly Fort Gordon) – Augusta, GA

Approximate distance from downtown Atlanta: ~150 miles east (about 2–2.5 hours by car)

What it is:
Fort Eisenhower is a major signal, cyber, and intelligence hub for the U.S. Army. It hosts key cyber units and advanced training.

Why it matters to Atlanta:

• Many Atlanta residents work in IT, cybersecurity, and communications for the Army and may be assigned to Fort Eisenhower.
• Some families choose to live in or near Atlanta for its job market and services, while having a connection to the installation.
• It’s a common assignment for Guard, Reserve, and civilian employees who live in the broader Georgia region.

Typical reasons an Atlantan might go to Fort Eisenhower:

• Cyber or signal training or duty assignments.
• Visiting family or friends stationed there.
• Civilian employment on post.

📝 Getting there from Atlanta:

• Most drivers take I-20 East directly toward Augusta.

Dobbins Air Reserve Base – Marietta, GA (With Army Presence Nearby)

Distance from downtown Atlanta: ~20 miles northwest (traffic will affect actual time)

What it is:
Dobbins Air Reserve Base is primarily an Air Force Reserve installation, located in Marietta. While it is not an Army base, it sits next to Lockheed Martin’s facility and near several Army Reserve and National Guard units in the Cobb County area.

Why it matters to Atlanta:

• If you see uniforms and aircraft around Marietta, you’re likely seeing Dobbins ARB activity, which often includes joint operations.
• Some Army personnel may pass through or support joint missions there.

Army National Guard and Army Reserve in the Atlanta Area

While Atlanta has no large active-duty post, it does have a strong presence of:

• Army National Guard
• Army Reserve units
• Support and administrative facilities

These units are often part-time citizen-soldiers who live and work in the Atlanta metro area, drilling one weekend a month and training periodically.

Georgia Army National Guard in the Atlanta Region

The Georgia Army National Guard has armories and facilities across the state, including in and around Atlanta. Within the metro area, you’ll find Guard armories and administrative sites where soldiers report for drill and training.

If you’re in Atlanta and interested in the Guard, or you need help as a current Guard member, the Joint Force Headquarters for the Georgia National Guard is based in the metro region (often operating out of state military facilities and office complexes in the Atlanta area).

Common reasons Atlantans connect with the Georgia Army National Guard:

• Enlisting or exploring part-time military service while living in Atlanta.
• Coordinating training, benefits, or deployments.
• Getting help after state activations (storms, emergencies, etc.), which often pull from Atlanta-based Guard members.

Army Reserve Centers Near Atlanta

The U.S. Army Reserve operates multiple Reserve Centers across the Atlanta metro area, typically located in suburban office or industrial areas. These are not “bases” with housing and schools, but drill centers where units:

• Conduct weekend training
• Store equipment
• Handle administrative tasks

Atlanta residents who serve in the Army Reserve usually drill at one of these local centers and may travel to larger posts like Fort Moore or Fort Eisenhower for extended training.

Typical activities:

• Monthly battle assemblies
• Annual training coordination
• Unit-level support and planning

For directions and exact locations, most people check the U.S. Army Reserve or unit contact information before visiting, since many centers are gated and not open to the general public without a specific reason.

Using Atlanta as a Gateway to Georgia Army Bases

Atlanta, especially Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, is a central transit point for military travelers.

Flying Into Atlanta to Reach an Army Base

If you’re traveling to Fort Moore or Fort Eisenhower, you may:

1. Fly into ATL, then
2. Rent a car, use a shuttle, or coordinate with your unit for transportation.

Common patterns:

• Families fly into Atlanta, spend a night in the city or near the airport, then drive to the base the next morning.
• New recruits and trainees may receive instructions directing them through Atlanta on their way to basic or advanced training.

Living in Atlanta While Connected to an Army Base

Many people choose to live in Atlanta while connected to a nearby Army installation, especially if they:

• Serve in the Army Reserve or National Guard
• Work in civilian DoD or contractor jobs
• Have family stationed at Fort Moore, Fort Eisenhower, or other regional posts

Here are key considerations if you’re balancing Atlanta life with Army duties:

Commute and Distance

• Fort Moore: Realistically, this is a long commute for daily travel from Atlanta; most people will live closer to Columbus if they’re full-time on post.
• Fort Eisenhower: Similarly, daily commuting from Atlanta is demanding; some may maintain two residences or stay on post during the week.
• Reserve/Guard centers in metro Atlanta: These are far more compatible with full-time lives and careers based in the city.

Schools and Family Life

Some families choose to:

• Keep primary residence in Atlanta for school options and careers.
• Travel to nearby forts for drills, temporary duty, or short tours.
• Use Atlanta’s extensive healthcare, education, and employment network while staying connected to the military through Reserve or Guard service.

Where to Go in Atlanta for Army-Related Services

While major on-post services (like Tricare clinics, ID card offices, and certain legal services) are typically on forts such as Fort Moore or Fort Eisenhower, Atlanta offers several military-support touchpoints.

ID Cards and DEERS Updates

Some military ID/DEERS offices operate at federal and military-affiliated facilities in the Atlanta metro area, though availability can change and many require appointments. Common locations where Atlanta residents look for ID card services include:

• Reserve centers
• National Guard facilities
• Other federal or DoD-support offices

Most people confirm:

• Whether the office is open to all branches and dependents
• Appointment availability
  before making the trip.

How to Decide Which “Army Base Near Atlanta” Matters to You

Use this quick reference to figure out which installation is likely most relevant based on your situation:

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents and Visitors With Army Ties

• Plan your travel time carefully. Atlanta traffic can be heavy, and drives to Fort Moore or Fort Eisenhower often take longer than the mileage suggests.
• Confirm base access rules. Visitors typically need valid ID and may need to stop at a visitor center near the gate; policies can differ between Fort Moore and Fort Eisenhower.
• Coordinate with your unit or host. If you’re attending a graduation or reporting for duty, detailed instructions from the unit usually override general guidance.
• Use Atlanta as your support hub. Many families use Atlanta for lodging, healthcare, and flights, then commute or travel as needed to the Army installations.

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, understanding that the city is a regional military hub without having its own large Army post can help you plan realistically—whether you’re supporting a service member, joining up yourself, or simply trying to navigate Georgia’s Army footprint from an Atlanta starting point.