Welcome to
Hohenfels, Germany
Army Training Area
By; Katie Wetschka
April 2023
Hohenfels is a small Army base located in the beautiful state of Bavaria, Germany. The base consists of 40,000 acres where training for several NATO countries is facilitated. Hohenfels is translated to high rock or high cliff and gets its name from the rock formations in the area.
Hohenfels, Germany
On Post Accommodations
Bowling Alley
More information at:
Schools & CYS
The district includes Hohenfels Elementary and Hohenfels Middle/High School
Child and Youth Services include a wide variety of services such as, Youth Center, Sports, Childcare, etc
More information at:
USO
Hohenfels has a new USO (as of April 2023) in Camp Albertshof
More information at:
Surrounding Cities
Hohenfels is surrounded by cities like Schmidmühlen, Parsberg, Kallmünz, Hohenburg, Velburg, Beratzhausen, and many others.
The city Kallmünz, Germany
The city of Hohenburg, Germany, and a view of part of the training area, with the ruins of Hohenburg castle
Common German Activities
Hiking/Walking
There are many trails and castles to hike/walk to. You will see many Germans taking long walks/hikes for exercise
Biking
Many Germans own bikes and will often bike to work or go on a bike ride. Many cities will have paved paths for people to walk on and bike on
Spots to explore:
Shopping at German Grocery Stores vs. the Commissary
German Grocery Stores
German grocery stores, such as Lidl, Netto, Aldi, Rewe, and Edeka are located in many of the cities around Hohenfels base. There are often also small markets in the cities. The stores vary in size and product availability.
Pros:
- Cheaper compared to the commissary
- All German products (often healthier)
- Fresh bakeries and delis
Cons:
- Closed on Sunday
- Some markets are cash-only and more expensive
Differences:
- No plastic bags (need to bring bags with you)
- Need a coin to use the cart
- No self check out
- Food includes the German grade scale of health
- Eggs and milk are not refrigerated
Commissary
The commissary offers many of the American brands that can be found in the United States but not in German grocery stores. German products can also be found there, such as yogurt, fresh produce, milk, etc. The commissary has a bakery and deli with fresh pastries and meats and cheeses available.
Pros:
- American brands
- Bakery & Deli
Cons:
- More expense
- Inconsistent inventory
- Low inventory during rotations
Job Opportunities on Hohenfels
Useful Resources
U.S. ARMY GARRISON BAVARIA
PCS To Hohenfels Germany US Army Base: Everything You Need To Know
MILITARY INSTALLATIONS USAG BAVARIA HOHENFELS
getting around: a guide to installations and services
military onesource Military Family Readiness System
PCS to Hohenfels Germany: Exploring Cities around Hohenfels Training Area
Building a Community
Hohenfels is a small base and community, but it is very welcoming. It does take time to get to know people and get involved in the community.
Ways to build a community on Hohenfels:
- Join the Facebook groups be meet people, stay up to date with information about the base and events, and ask questions
- Take classes hosted by ACS
- Attend events hosted on base
Hohenfels Facebook Groups
Hohenfels Community
Hohenfels Family and MWR
USAG Bavaria ACS
Hohenfels Spouse Page
Hohenfels Buy, Sell, Trade Page
Animals of Hohenfels
Advice From the Hohenfels Community
"Have fun, be respectful, and see the beauty that Germany as a whole has to offer us that is nothing like what I have ever seen in the U.S.A."
"Embrace the different culture, you don’t have to like it, you can learn about it and compare it to what you’re used to. Appreciate the opportunity to learn about another culture, their traditions, and how others live life. You won’t be here forever. Take time to learn something new."
"Travel as much as you can. Don't be afraid of public transportation."
"Get to know the culture in your region. It's diverse and interesting! Take culture classes and explore!"
"Approach living in Germany as a cultural and personal journey of self-development. Be prepared to be embarrassed, feel dumb, and accept failure with grace and humor while pushing on. This will lead to positive experiences you might not have had otherwise as well as personal development of how you adjust to what life throws you."
"Learn German! Respect their culture and do your best to understand that it is a different way of life here."
"There will be amazing experiences and lonely times where the isolation and time change are hard, it’s okay to not love every minute."
"Come with an open mind. The area we live in is tiny but can be amazing."
"Germans are not lovey-dovey, but they are wonderful people! It is hard sometimes to not be put off immediately."
"Find something that you enjoy doing. Learn a new hobby while you are here. Germany has so many things to offer (cooking, nature, culture, etc) don’t waste time trying to adjust."
My husband and I had a very fast turnaround time from when he got the orders and his report dates, so I didn't have a lot of time to prepare and research the base and where we would be living. So I had to learn everything when we arrived, which took some time, and that is okay (it is my hope that this will help others with researching and preparing). It has taken some time for me to meet people and start having a daily routine. Hohenfels is a small base in the middle of nowhere, which comes with its pros and cons. Depending on where you live, there may not be many restaurants, fast food, or grocery stores nearby. However, after a few months, my new lifestyle began to feel normal.
My advice to service members and families moving to Hohenfels:
- Give yourself grace and time to adjust
- Come with an open mind and be willing to learn
- Join Facebook groups, it is a great way to meet people and ask questions
Personal Experience