Built in 1827, Fort Leavenworth was originally established to protect the Santa Fe Trail during the westward expansion of settlers in the early 19th century. It was used as a training camp during the Civil War, although it never came under direct Confederate assault. It was during the late 19th century the installation began what would become its two most well-known functions: as a prison for soldiers, and a school for the training of infantry and cavalry officers. During World War I and II, graduates of the Command and General Staff College included Generals Patton, Bradley and Eisenhower. They, along with numerous others, showed the great strategic value in the school and its curriculum.

Today, in addition the school and the Military Corrections Complex, other tenants of Fort Leavenworth include the US Army's Combined Arms Center and other units of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command.

Established in 1917, Camp Bullis was originally used as a small arms training base for the American Expeditionary Forces sent to Europe to fight in World War I. For World War II the camp had grown, and was used by the 2nd, 88th, and 95th Infantry Divisions for training.

In 1977 the Air Force established the Air Force Security Police Training Site at Camp Bullis, and the US Army sends Infantry Medics here (from nearby Fort Sam Houston) to complete their training.

Fort Leonard Wood, located in the south central Missouri Ozarks, lies on 62,911 acres. The post was created in December 1940 and named in honor of General Leonard Wood, former Chief of Staff and Medal of Honor recipient.