Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is Home to the Largest Medical Training Complex in the World

Fort Sam Houston is the largest military medical training facility in the world. It has an array of training centers, including the US Army Institute of Surgical Research, the Brooke Army Medical Center, the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC), and the Center for Battlefield Health and Trauma. These facilities train medics and other medical professionals in areas such as combat medics, nuclear medicine, and pharmacy. Fort Sam Houston

Located at Grayson Street and New Braunfels Avenue, the Fort Sam Houston complex is an active military installation. The United States Army is headquartered on the post. Approximately 27,000 people work at the base. There are approximately 900 buildings on the site. Many are historic, and several of them have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the Mexican-American War, the post served as a supply point for troops traveling across the border. In 1876, the post moved to Government Hill and began construction of new facilities. At that time, the post also became the headquarters of the Eighth Military Department. A permanent hospital was constructed. Eventually, the post was renamed Fort Sam Houston. This name was chosen after the founder of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston.

Throughout the twentieth century, the Fort Sam Houston complex continued to grow, providing support to the armed forces during the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. Several hundred buildings were added to the fort during these conflicts. The Fort Sam Houston Complex continues to expand today and is now more than 3,000 acres.

The fort is home to the Medical Education and Training Campus, which is dedicated to advancing military medical training for all branches of the armed forces. Those interested in learning more about the history of the post can visit the Fort Sam Houston Museum. Currently, the museum consists of a 40,000-square-foot building, and it displays the personal effects of Dr. William Fitzsimons, the first physician to work at the fort.

Today, the main base of the fort is a cantonment area, where units are trained for large maneuvers and exercises. The fort also serves as the site of the Academy of Health Sciences, which is a basic school for medical personnel. The fort also cares for casualties from war zones, including those injured in Afghanistan.

During the 1990s, the post was recognized for its historical value, and several buildings were designated as National Historic Landmarks. Currently, the fort is undergoing renovations, and the Joint Program Management Office is responsible for the project. Through public-private partnerships, the base is in the process of renovating many of its historical buildings.

Fort Sam Houston has been a training ground for thousands of individuals over the years. In the 1970s, the focus was on the medical field, and the installation saw an increase in the number of students who were attending the Medical Training Center. Another institution established at the post was the Health Service Command, which focuses on the medical needs of civilians.