Fort McCoy – Training the Total Force and Shaping the Future Since 1909
Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin and one of the nation’s premier military training centers. Located in west-central Wisconsin between Sparta and Tomah, Fort McCoy strengthens Total Force readiness by serving as a training center, Mobilization Force Generation Installation, and Strategic Support Area supporting the readiness of America’s Armed Forces. Its mission is focused on preparing military personnel and units to deploy, fight, and win while providing the facilities, infrastructure, and support necessary for year-round training.
Fort McCoy’s military heritage dates to 1909, when the Sparta Maneuver Tract was established on land originally acquired and promoted for military training by Maj. Gen. Robert Bruce McCoy. Early training took place at Camp Robinson and Camp Emory Upton, and the installation developed into an important artillery and maneuver training site. In 1926, the reservation was officially named Camp McCoy in honor of Maj. Gen. Robert B. McCoy. During World War II, the post expanded dramatically, adding more than 45,000 acres and constructing the triangular cantonment area that continues to serve as the heart of the installation today.
Throughout its history, Fort McCoy has supported some of the nation’s most significant military and humanitarian missions. It trained and processed service members during World War I, World War II and the Korean War; supported mobilization for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm; and played an important role in Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and New Dawn. The installation was officially renamed Fort McCoy on September 30, 1974, recognizing its status as a permanent, year-round Army training facility. More recently, Fort McCoy supported Operation Allies Welcome, helping federal and community partners temporarily house and assist approximately 12,600 Afghan evacuees in 2021–2022.
Today, Fort McCoy serves the Total Force, supporting active-duty, Reserve and National Guard personnel along with joint-service and interagency partners. Training opportunities include field and classroom instruction, combined-arms exercises, engineer and logistics operations, aviation training, medical training, cold-weather operations, institutional training, live-fire ranges, simulation and other readiness activities. Fort McCoy has supported an annual average of more than 125,000 military personnel from all services since 1984. During Fiscal Year 2025, 109,962 personnel trained at Fort McCoy, compared with 73,991 in FY2024 and 86,090 in FY2023.
Fort McCoy is also a major contributor to the economy and communities of west-central Wisconsin. The installation is one of the region’s largest employers and maintains strong working relationships with surrounding communities, local governments, chambers of commerce, schools, civic organizations and other regional partners. Its combination of military readiness, employment, construction, contracting, visitor activity and community partnerships makes Fort McCoy an important part of both national defense and the regional economy.
