Pine Bluff Arsenal Base Guide
Pine Bluff Arsenal is an Army installation 35 miles from Little Rock in Jefferson County, Arkansas. This base is unique as it is a closed installation, meaning that all visitors must be cleared to access the base in one form or another through secure checkpoints.
Pine Bluff Arsenal is the only active-duty Army installation in the area, and despite its smaller size, it has some of the typical troop support features that larger bases have.
Pine Bluff Arsenal Base History
Pine Bluff Arsenal is another Army base that is comparatively young; rather than dating back to the days of the American Revolution like some Army posts, Pine Bluff got its start in 1941 as the Chemical Warfare Arsenal.
At that time, the facility was known for manufacturing chemical weapons, incendiary grenades, and products associated with riot control. Soon after opening its doors, the site was redesignated as Pine Bluff Arsenal.
Following the human and public relations disaster that was the manufacture and use of Agent Orange in Vietnam, Pine Bluff Arsenal stopped manufacturing certain types of weapons, and eventually, there was an executive order from the White House banning the use of biological weaponry altogether.
That led to an eradication program at Pine Bluff from 1971 to 1973; during this time all biological agents manufactured there were destroyed.
The last bioweapons there were disposed of as late as 2010. Pine Bluff Arsenal isn’t the only military base where such eradications were necessary, but it is a prime example of what needed to be done with such weapons.
Today, the United States Army operates Pine Bluff Arsenal for the production, storage, and maintenance of what the DoD terms, “readiness products.” DoD literature indicates this is the “only site” in this part of the world where white phosphorus munitions are manufactured and considered part of the mission.
This installation has also been used as a Department of Homeland Security training site.
Pine Bluff Arsenal Surrounding Area
Pine Bluff Arsenal is about 35 miles from Little Rock, Arkansas. In the immediate area, Delta Rivers Nature Center includes both live animals and exhibits; the Arts and Science Center of Arkansas has those features, plus special events and live performances.
This area is known for the Arkansas Railroad Museum, a popular destination. You’ll find live shows at North Shore Riverfront Park and the Simmons Bank Arena.
Pine Bluff Arsenal Mission
According to the DoD, Pine Bluff Arsenal’s mission includes supplying the Department of Defense’s “peacetime and replenishment requirements” by manufacturing or sourcing materials that can’t be obtained elsewhere.
The Arsenal also trains and supports the Department of Homeland Security and the American Red Cross. In the 21st century, the Arsenal includes conventional weapons, biological defense, and tech support.
In-Processing and Check-In
Pine Bluff Arsenal is a small base. All new arrivals PCSing or coming on TDY orders are directed to check in with the gaining unit command support staff to sign up for inprocessing and other appointments.
Your inprocessing begins at the Pine Bluff Arsenal Pass and Visitor Office/Military Personnel Office, where you’ll be given access to the base to continue your check-in. Call them at 870-540-3495.
Child Care At Pine Bluff Arsenal
Despite its small size, child care is offered at the Arsenal. The Pine Bluff Child Development Center is co-located with other youth services in the same facility. Options include:
- Child Development Center
- School Age Center
- Sports/Fitness
- Outreach Services
- Parent Central Services
Waiting lists for Child Development Center care may apply. There is no family housing on the post so the option of Family Child Care (offered by families living in on-post housing) is not an option. Contact Child and Youth Services for more information: 870-540-2972.
Housing
There is no military housing on-post at Pine Bluff Arsenal.
PCS and TDY Lodging
At press time, Pine Bluff Arsenal offers limited temporary lodging facilities and no pet-friendly rooms are available. Advance reservations are required; call the Pine Bluff Arsenal Lodging Office at 870-540-3008 to learn more on availability, options, and requirements.
Transportation
Pine Bluff Arsenal is 45 minutes from the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field. Coordinating your arrival with your sponsor is best, as a taxi or shuttle to the installation may be costly.
Other airports serving the area include:
- Memorial Field Airport
- South Arkansas Regional Airport
- Mid Delta Regional Airport
Clinton National Airport is the closest. All others are between 70 and 110 miles away from the installation. Depending on your time of arrival and other factors, the usual ride-sharing, taxis, and commercial shuttles may all be available.
Vehicle Registration And Driver’s License
Pine Bluff Arsenal is a closed post. This means you must pass through Security checkpoints to enter the installation. DoD literature on Pine Bluff Arsenal is confusing.
At press time, DoD policy is that “privately owned vehicles do not have to be registered in order to be brought on this installation.” However, there is a Pass and Visitors Registration Office in Bldg. Contact them for the most current guidelines about registering a vehicle to use on-post.
If you PCS to the Arsenal from out of state, you may be required to register privately owned vehicles in-state and obtain an in-state license in a reasonable time after relocating.
Schools
There are no DoD or local schools on post. Military families typically send their children to Whitehall School District schools. Call the Pine Bluff Arsenal School Liaison Office to learn about new registration procedures, immunization requirements, and other details. Contact them at 870-540-3678.
Colleges and Universities
There are no on-post colleges or universities at Pine Bluff Arsenal. There is a small Education Office that can help with scholarship information, ACT testing, and this center serves as a testing center “for most online colleges.” For more information, call 870-540-3588.
Related: Ultimate GI Bill Benefits Guide
Contacts
Pine Bluff Arsenal
10020 Kabrich Circle
Pine Bluff, AR 71602-9500
870-540-3003
Important Pine Bluff Arsenal Contact Numbers
- Child & Youth Services – (870) 540-2972
- Child Development Center – (312) 966-2972
- Civilian Personnel Advisory Center – (870) 540-3090
- Commander’s Hotline – (870) 540-3300
- Community Club – (870) 540-3981
- DA Photo – (870) 540-3422
- Employee Assistance Program – (870) 540-3094
- Guest Accommodations – (870) 540-3008
- Hunting & Fishing – (870) 540-3257
- Military Personnel Office – (870) 540-3030
- Pass & ID – (870) 540-3795
- Payroll – (870) 540-3756
- Procurement Office – (870) 540-3020
- Public Affairs Office – (870) 540-3421
- Recreation Services Information – (870) 540-3778
- Security Office – (870) 540-3501
Read more: Comprehensive Military Benefits Guide
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
