US Army Training Center - Yearbook (Fort Leonard Wood, MO)

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The Story of FORT LEONARD WOOD FORT LEONARD WOOD covers 71,000 acres of the Mark Twain National Forest in the Missouri Ozarks, southwest of St. Louis. Activated in 1940, the Fort was named in honor of Major General Leonard Wood who won the Medal of Honor for action in the campaign against the Apache Indian Chieftain, Geronimo. Only a handful of officials were on hand December 1940 to witness the ground breaking ceremonies. On that day, an unknown soldier of a huge construction army turned the first shovelful of dirt for the construction of the nations largest engineer training center, a post that has trained thousands of fighting men and women. From the early part of 1941 until the post closed in 1946, Fort Leonard Wood trained some 300,000 fighting men. Such famous divisions as the 6th, 8th, 75th, 97th, and the 70th trained here during World War II. During the years the fort lay dormant, only a handful of groundkeepers were on the premises. The business of activating an Army post started all over again for Fort Leonard Wood in 1950, shortly after the American troops began fighting in Korea. This time, Fort Leonard Wood supported the 6th Armored Division engaged in replacement training rather than a procession of divisions being trained for combat. On 16 March 1956 the 6th Armored Division was inactivated and replaced with the United States Army Training Center, Engineer. The Secretary of the Army signed the order 21 March 1956 making Fort Leonard Wood a permanent installation. In February, 1985, the Secretary of the Army announced plans to move the US. Army Engineer Center from Fort Belvoir, Virginia to Fort Leonard Wood. The Colors of the US. Army Engineer School and regiment were transferred to Fort Leonard WoodJune1,1988, MAJOR GENERAL LEONARD WOOD As of 1 October 1999 Fort Leonard Wood also became home of Military Police and Chemical Training. Fort Leonard Wood now conducts One Station Unit Training for Engineers, Military Police, and Chemical Corps as well as Basic Training in 3rd Training Brigade. In addition to Initial Entry Training there are various other Advanced Individual Training and specialty classes given here at Fort Leonard Wood for military and some civilian careers.

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.Ef' II III 7in ANTWERP 43 MAJOR GENERAL ROBERT L. VAN ANTWERP Commanding General U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood and Commandant, U.S. Army Engineer School As Commanding General of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood, and Commandant of the U.S. Army Engineer School, MG Van Antwerp is responsible for providing the Army with trained, combat-ready soldiers and leaders of all ranks. He also directs the development and integration of Engineer conceptsi doctrine, training, force structure, and material requirements to support the force. In addition, he oversees the training of airmen, sailors and Marines attending courses for civil and construction engineering; law enforcement; chemical, biological and radiological defense; motor transport operators; and over 400 International Military Students who train at Fort Leonard Wood annually. MG Van Antwerp is an engineer officer who has served in a variety of command and staff assignments. His commands include: South Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of engineers, Los Angeles District during the Northridge Earthquake of 1994; and the 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division tAir Assaulti during DESERT SHIELDiSTORM. Prior to his assignment as Commanding General, Fort Leonard Wood, MG Van Antwerp was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. He has served as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Chief of Military construction, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; Executive to the Chief of Engineers; and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at West Point. He is a 1972 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and holds a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan and a Master of Business Administration from Long Island University, New York. He has completed Ranger, Airborne, and Air Assault training, the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal. Van and his wife, Paula have three sons: Jeff, Luke, and Rob; and two daughters: Julia and Kathryn. He is the National President of the Officers' Christian Fellowship.